Latest pics show alleged 'iPhone 7' in space black, 'Plus' models with & without Smart Connector

AppleInsider

A trio of new images claim to show Apple's next-generation iPhone in three different colors, including a dark shade of space black. In addition, photos of larger 5.5-inch models depict versions with and without a magnetic Smart Connector.

The images were posted to Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo on Thursday, and were first publicized by Techtastic.nl. They depict Apple's next iPhone in legacy colors of gold and rose gold, as well as a return to space black not seen since the iPhone 5.

Interestingly, one image shows an "iPhone 7" beside a presumed larger "Plus" model in which the 5.5-inch handset does not feature a Smart Connector on the back. But in another image of three "iPhone 7 Plus" units, all three have spaces for Smart Connectors.

It should also be noted that while the 4.7- and 5.5-inch models lacking Smart Connectors simply say "iPhone" on the back of the case, the 5.5-inch models with Smart Connectors appear to have an "S" engraved below the iPhone branding.

The images could suggest that Apple plans to release an "iPhone 7," "iPhone 7 Plus," and "iPhone 7s Plus" simultaneously this year. Or, of course, the images could be mockups or dummy cases that have little bearing on Apple's actual plans.

Still, some rumors have claimed Apple will launch three new iPhone models this year, adding a new high-end model with Smart Connector that some rumors have colloquially dubbed the "iPhone 7 Pro." Apple, of course, already offers both base and "Pro" models of other product lineups: the MacBook and iPad.

In line with expectations, the cases depicted on Thursday also show a single-lens camera design on the smaller "iPhone 7" and a dual-lens system for the "iPhone 7 Plus." Both the "S" branded models with Smart Connectors, and the space gray one without a Smart Connector, are shown with the two-camera system.

Not shown in the images are the bottom of the handset, where Apple is rumored to ditch the legacy 3.5-millimeter headphone jack in favor of Lightning headphones and wireless Bluetooth options.

All is expected to be revealed in September, when Apple is believed to be planning an event to take the wraps off of the so-called "iPhone 7" series. The latest rumors peg a possible event slated for Sept. 7, with the handsets to become available just a few weeks later.

rogifan_new

Looks silver to me, just darker because of poor lighting.

mac_128

I could see this. The iPhone SE, and S. Maybe replace the 6S completely and offer the 4.7" S instead for $549 similar to the SE update at the $399. They could still leave the iPhone 6 in the lineup that way. The SE, 6, and S and S Plus and/or Pro.

edited August 2016

nolamacguy

definitely not silver. 

its some sort of space gray, and is likely the source of the "blue" rumor. gunmetal blue. 

edited August 2016

mike1

nolamacguy said:

definitely not silver. 

its some sort of space gray, and is likely the source of the "blue" rumor. gunmetal blue. 

Whatever it is, that will be my color of choice. Existing space gray, darker space gray or even a dark, rich midnight blue would be fine.

rogifan_new

nolamacguy said:

definitely not silver. 

its some sort of space gray, and is likely the source of the "blue" rumor. gunmetal blue. 

But not black and not like the iPhone 5 color.

sockrolid

AppleInsider said:

... as well as a return to space black not seen since the iPhone 5.

Insert fingers-crossed-emoji here.

xmhillx

It's not as kool as the space black renders recently posted. If you google images iPhone 7 space black, those are the really nice looking ones.

These pictures don't seem as dark of a space black as the renders. I hope these are just dummy units and not a production leak. Or bad lighting or bad angles or bad photography.

So many conflicting reports of the design. I'm sure Chinese mock ups just read an article and make the mock up and it shows up online. And maybe some are prototype that don't make it to production. And maybe some are real production leaks. You can never really know until they're announced in like 3 weeks!!

anome

My guess is that the three phones with the S logo and the "Smart Connector" are fake. The other images are more likely, but I still won't trust them until the actual announcement. I do hope that, whatever it looks like, the new "Space Grey/Black/Very Dark Blue" is at least that dark, preferably darker.

I also kind of hope that every single mock-up, rendering, and leaked image is completely wrong, and Tim holds up something no-one predicted. Although I'm sure if that happened most of the rumour sites will complain about it not meeting expectations.

mac_128

anome said:

My guess is that the three phones with the S logo and the "Smart Connector" are fake. The other images are more likely, but I still won't trust them until the actual announcement. I do hope that, whatever it looks like, the new "Space Grey/Black/Very Dark Blue" is at least that dark, preferably darker.

I also kind of hope that every single mock-up, rendering, and leaked image is completely wrong, and Tim holds up something no-one predicted. Although I'm sure if that happened most of the rumour sites will complain about it not meeting expectations.

I'd really like to see the smart connector become standard. It's funny how most people only seem to be able to see them for attaching a keyboard, when they could be used for battery packs, and any number of accessories, especially if they drop the 3.5mm jack. A sleek extended battery case with built in 3.5mm adapter that didn't need to be any longer than necessary to tap into power and data would be amazing. 

williamlondon

mac_128 said:

anome said:

My guess is that the three phones with the S logo and the "Smart Connector" are fake. The other images are more likely, but I still won't trust them until the actual announcement. I do hope that, whatever it looks like, the new "Space Grey/Black/Very Dark Blue" is at least that dark, preferably darker.

I also kind of hope that every single mock-up, rendering, and leaked image is completely wrong, and Tim holds up something no-one predicted. Although I'm sure if that happened most of the rumour sites will complain about it not meeting expectations.

I'd really like to see the smart connector become standard. It's funny how most people only seem to be able to see them for attaching a keyboard, when they could be used for battery packs, and any number of accessories, especially if they drop the 3.5mm jack. A sleek extended battery case with built in 3.5mm adapter that didn't need to be any longer than necessary to tap into power and data would be amazing. 

I've got big expectations and hopes for the Smart Connector as well. I'm hoping we might see Apple unveil a bit more of their plans for it if one of the new iPhone models sports one. The potential for the connector are wide and vast, and awfully fun to imagine.

anome

williamlondon said:

mac_128 said:

I'd really like to see the smart connector become standard. It's funny how most people only seem to be able to see them for attaching a keyboard, when they could be used for battery packs, and any number of accessories, especially if they drop the 3.5mm jack. A sleek extended battery case with built in 3.5mm adapter that didn't need to be any longer than necessary to tap into power and data would be amazing. 

I've got big expectations and hopes for the Smart Connector as well. I'm hoping we might see Apple unveil a bit more of their plans for it if one of the new iPhone models sports one. The potential for the connector are wide and vast, and awfully fun to imagine.

Don't get me wrong: I think the Smart Connector is a great idea, and I do think it will be added to phones at some point. Possibly even this year. I just don't think it will be in the location we keep seeing it in these mock-ups. (I also think it, or something like it, will be used for Apple Watch accessories. Which finally explains the little hatch under the band lugs.)

I don't think it works unless it's on the edge of the device. And with the iPhone, there's a lot less space for it. The obvious place is the left side, as on the iPad Pro, but that could restrict access to the Volume buttons and the Silent switch.(Depending what you use it for - a cover with some kind of input device, like the Smart Keyboard - seems the obvious choice.) Putting it on the right side means a cover using it goes the wrong way. Put it on top, and that means the Phone's upside down if you have a Smart Keyboard or Stand or something.

Putting it on the bottom gets awkward with the Lightning connector. Although, with the headphone jack out of the way, you could move the Lightning Connector to one side, and put the Smart Connector next to it. (And how come no-one's suggested Smart Connector EarPods? Get rid of the 3.5mm jack, replace it with the Smart Connector, and use that for your headset. Then you don't need to worry about pass through for charging. Or, if you have a Smart Connector, use that for charging while listening to your Lightning EarPods. Problem Solved.)

So, yeah, I'm pro-Smart Connector, just not pro-Smart Connector-in-the-middle-of-the-back-of-the-device-unlike-where-it-is-on-the-other-products-that-use-it.

williamlondon

anome said:

williamlondon said:

I've got big expectations and hopes for the Smart Connector as well. I'm hoping we might see Apple unveil a bit more of their plans for it if one of the new iPhone models sports one. The potential for the connector are wide and vast, and awfully fun to imagine.

Don't get me wrong: I think the Smart Connector is a great idea, and I do think it will be added to phones at some point. Possibly even this year. I just don't think it will be in the location we keep seeing it in these mock-ups. (I also think it, or something like it, will be used for Apple Watch accessories. Which finally explains the little hatch under the band lugs.)

I don't think it works unless it's on the edge of the device. And with the iPhone, there's a lot less space for it. The obvious place is the left side, as on the iPad Pro, but that could restrict access to the Volume buttons and the Silent switch.(Depending what you use it for - a cover with some kind of input device, like the Smart Keyboard - seems the obvious choice.) Putting it on the right side means a cover using it goes the wrong way. Put it on top, and that means the Phone's upside down if you have a Smart Keyboard or Stand or something.

Putting it on the bottom gets awkward with the Lightning connector. Although, with the headphone jack out of the way, you could move the Lightning Connector to one side, and put the Smart Connector next to it. (And how come no-one's suggested Smart Connector EarPods? Get rid of the 3.5mm jack, replace it with the Smart Connector, and use that for your headset. Then you don't need to worry about pass through for charging. Or, if you have a Smart Connector, use that for charging while listening to your Lightning EarPods. Problem Solved.)

So, yeah, I'm pro-Smart Connector, just not pro-Smart Connector-in-the-middle-of-the-back-of-the-device-unlike-where-it-is-on-the-other-products-that-use-it.

Have to admit the placement of the Smart Connector as we've seen in leaked photos surprised me greatly. If this connector/port becomes standard (which I hope) you'd have thought that docks and other peripherals would be universal in accepting Smart Connector devices, but if they're placed in different locations on devices then physically connecting them would depend on which device they were intended to support, sort of killing the whole notion of universality of usage.

There must be something else, either, it's not a problem creating devices with flexible connectors (not sure how this works, but clever people could possibly solve it), or the iPhone location will not be on the back but rather in a more standard location. I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

esquirecats

The cameras in these devices are clearly not final.

supadav03

My eyes must be going bad. How is that "space black"?

harry wild

Dull metallic black!  Space black would good too!

spamsandwich

Apple really should pull all assembly work from China since the suppliers there refuse to enforce adequate security protections to keep unreleased products from being revealed. Screw 'em! Either automate the entire assembly portion of the manufacturing process and have it done hidden from any interactions with untrustworthy people, or take it away from Foxconn.

edited August 2016