Rumor: 'iPhone 7' may not ship with Apple's Smart Connector after all

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in iPhone
Despite a number of leaks suggesting Apple's next-generation "iPhone 7" might feature a Smart Connector on the back side of its chassis, a new report claims that the company ultimately opted not to include the feature in its final design.


The camera on the Smart Connector-bearing "iPhone" bears a striking resemblance to Futurama's Bender.


The Smart Connector "ended up not being installed in the end," Danbo of Macotakara told AppleInsider on Friday. According to a post on his site, the inclusion was apparently "shelved" ahead of this September's release.

It's unclear at what point in the development process the "iPhone 7" casings with Smart Connector leaked, or if and when Apple decided not to include the component. It's unlikely that Apple made the decision to ax the Smart Connector from the next-generation iPhone at this point, with only a few months to go before the anticipated September launch.

Of course, Friday's latest rumor could also be misinformation from Apple's supply chain, which thus far has struggled to put together a coherent picture of what this year's iPhone will offer.

It was recently revealed that the Smart Connector port, available on the iPad Pro, can be used for recharging an iPad, as well as connecting accessories like keyboards. That led to speculation that a Smart Connector on the rear of the "iPhone 7" could allow the device to be charged while the Lightning port is used for other capabilities --?such as with a pair of headphones.




The leaked alleged "iPhone 7" design has been panned by some as the "Bender phone," because of a resemblance between the dual-camera lens and the character Bender from "Futurama." Regardless of how it finally appears, Apple is heavily rumored to feature two camera lenses on the next iPhone for a greatly improved photography experience.

Apple is also expected to ditch the antenna lines found on the back of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s series, giving the rear of the handset a cleaner aesthetic.

Multiple reports have also claimed that Apple plans to ditch the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack on this year's iPhone. However, a new leak this week purported to show a flex cable with the headphone jack included, suggesting it might ship with a legacy headphone connector after all.

Back in 2012, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook vowed to "double down" on secrecy. But in the subsequent years, leaks have become extremely common, with eager fans already aware of what the company's next-generation products will look like months in advance.

The confusion regarding the upcoming "iPhone 7" launch may be an indication that Cook's efforts to improve secrecy, particularly within the company's extensive supply chain, are finally bearing fruit.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 34
    Or, Rumour: an earlier rumour may not be true.
    calimike1quadra 610
  • Reply 2 of 34
    icoco3icoco3 Posts: 1,474member

    Rumor: 'iPhone 7' may not ship with Apple's Smart Connector after all



    "May not ship"
    "After all"

    It is presumed it was then it wasn't and how can something "may not ship" with something that was rumored in the first place.  A rumor about a rumor...
    350
    edited May 2016 mike1quadra 610
  • Reply 3 of 34
    macseekermacseeker Posts: 544member
    sog35 said:
    Do any of you want a iOS based desktop computer?
    NO! NEVER!!!
    baconstangjackansisingularitycnocbuibonobob
  • Reply 4 of 34
    calicali Posts: 3,494member
    No matter how hard I try I can't see that Futurama dude. I see Nintendo's R.O.B. Instead:

  • Reply 5 of 34
    macseekermacseeker Posts: 544member
    Back to the topic. A rumor of a rumor. Like a nested loop. Love it.
    1983
  • Reply 6 of 34
    19831983 Posts: 1,225member
    Well if they're reinstating the rumoured headphone jack then there's less of a need for the rumoured Smart Connector to provide charging duties while the Lightning Connector's being used as the headphone jack is there. 
    edited May 2016 bb-15kermit4krazy
  • Reply 7 of 34
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,153member


    The leaked alleged "iPhone 7" design has been panned by some as the "Bender phone," because of a resemblance between the dual-camera lens and the character Bender from "Futurama." Regardless of how it finally appears, Apple is heavily rumored to feature two camera lenses on the next iPhone for a greatly improved photography experience.
    If it's at all like Huawei's new dual-lens smartphone camera it's gonna be worth the upgrade just for that for a lot of folk IMHO. Focus after the fact, good "bokeh"? Cool stuff.
    http://www.techinsider.io/the-huawei-p9s-dual-camera-can-re-focus-2016-4
    edited May 2016 techlover
  • Reply 8 of 34
    baconstangbaconstang Posts: 1,099member
    sog35 said:

    Do any of you want a iOS based desktop computer?
    No.

    That's what an iPad (Pro) and detachable keyboard is for.
    bb-15jackansimacseekerpalomine
  • Reply 9 of 34
    19831983 Posts: 1,225member
    gatorguy said:


    The leaked alleged "iPhone 7" design has been panned by some as the "Bender phone," because of a resemblance between the dual-camera lens and the character Bender from "Futurama." Regardless of how it finally appears, Apple is heavily rumored to feature two camera lenses on the next iPhone for a greatly improved photography experience.
    If it's at all like Huawei's new dual-lens smartphone camera it's gonna be worth the upgrade just for that for a lot of folk IMHO. Focus after the fact, good "bokah"? Cool stuff.
    http://www.techinsider.io/the-huawei-p9s-dual-camera-can-re-focus-2016-4
    Just clicked on your link and watched...very interesting tech! If Apple's version can fix some of the minor issues found on the Huawei's camera. They might be onto a hit!
  • Reply 10 of 34
    ceek74ceek74 Posts: 324member
    But this was a good rumor damn it!!!
  • Reply 11 of 34
    antonpabloantonpablo Posts: 90member
    The iPhone Bender
  • Reply 12 of 34
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,273member
    cali said:
    No matter how hard I try I can't see that Futurama dude. I see Nintendo's R.O.B. Instead:

    I actually had the first NES that came packaged with that robot. It mostly collected dust.
  • Reply 13 of 34
    amarkapamarkap Posts: 69member

    What exactly is this Smart Connector?  I mean it passes data and power or something.  I don't know...might have some potential I'm not seeing. Anyway, does it really matter if it comes in iPhone 7 or iPhone 8?  Doesn't seem like a super exciting feature. 

  • Reply 14 of 34
    fastasleepfastasleep Posts: 6,398member
    amarkap said:

    What exactly is this Smart Connector?  I mean it passes data and power or something.  I don't know...might have some potential I'm not seeing. Anyway, does it really matter if it comes in iPhone 7 or iPhone 8?  Doesn't seem like a super exciting feature. 

    That's like saying "this electrical cord isn't very exciting" without seeing what it's attached to. 
    williamlondonbonobobwonkothesanelolliver
  • Reply 15 of 34
    baconstangbaconstang Posts: 1,099member
    sog35 said:
    No.

    That's what an iPad (Pro) and detachable keyboard is for.


    I'm talking about a desktop replacement, not a laptop replacement.

    A desktop iOS will have a market because:

    1. It will be alot cheaper than a iPad Pro which is $1000. An iOS desktop could start at $399
    2. It could run the A10 much faster and hotter because battery life is not a concern.
    3. Some people just like to have a computer that is fixed in one location that can be shared by all in the house
    4. Some people prefer a real keyboard and a real mouse
    I hear ya.  I have an iMac 5K.  Hooked up with a TB2 dock.  Sometimes with an extra display.
    But I don't think an A10X will keep up with an i7 etc.
    My laptop is an MBA 11".  I like my portables small.
  • Reply 16 of 34
    macseekermacseeker Posts: 544member
    sog35 said:
    No.

    That's what an iPad (Pro) and detachable keyboard is for.


    I'm talking about a desktop replacement, not a laptop replacement.
    This even makes my decision much more adamant:  A VEHEMENTLY NO!

    iOS hasn't grown up to Mac OS X maturity and flexibility.  Plus I want to manipulate my data the way I see fit.
    baconstangstaticx57cnocbui
  • Reply 17 of 34
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,312member
    "striking resemblance" ... really? This is like saying that two individuals who share no physical characteristics whatsoever, and only one of whom has appendages, are somehow suddenly indiscernible if they are wearing similar eyeglasses. Did "The Onion" purchase AI? Slow news day, take 100.
    pscooter63
  • Reply 18 of 34
    The confusion regarding the upcoming "iPhone 7" launch may be an indication that Cook's efforts to improve secrecy, particularly within the company's extensive supply chain, are finally bearing fruit.

    I really think that articles like this and the one that says there will actually be a headphone jack, is subtle PR by Apple to stupidly try and throw people off the scent of insanely plausible features of the next iPhone!!
  • Reply 19 of 34
    boltsfan17boltsfan17 Posts: 2,294member
    gatorguy said:


    The leaked alleged "iPhone 7" design has been panned by some as the "Bender phone," because of a resemblance between the dual-camera lens and the character Bender from "Futurama." Regardless of how it finally appears, Apple is heavily rumored to feature two camera lenses on the next iPhone for a greatly improved photography experience.
    If it's at all like Huawei's new dual-lens smartphone camera it's gonna be worth the upgrade just for that for a lot of folk IMHO. Focus after the fact, good "bokeh"? Cool stuff.
    http://www.techinsider.io/the-huawei-p9s-dual-camera-can-re-focus-2016-4
    A new camera or camera features is the only reason I upgrade iPhone's. Looking towards the future, I hope someone develops a really good camera sensor for phones. The tiny senors in phones just don't cut it compared to DSLR's or even compact cameras. Thanks for the link. That dual-lens camera on the Huawei is pretty impressive. 
  • Reply 20 of 34
    ksecksec Posts: 1,569member
    This will likely means another rumor were true, next iPhone will be a small update like S version rather then a new number redesign.
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