Rumor: Apple may limit Force Touch to the next-gen 'iPhone 6s Plus'
If Apple's pressure-sensing Force Touch technology does make its way to the next generation of iPhones, a new report from Taiwan suggests that it may be exclusive to the so-called "iPhone 6s Plus."
Longtime Apple partner TPK could be the sole supplier of force sensing components for the iPhone 6S Plus and Apple Watch, according to UDN. The parts could increase the cost of the 6s Plus by $13 to $14, compared to the $4 to $5 it is believed to cost for each Apple Watch.
If true, it would follow Apple's current practice of integrating more advanced technology in the larger iPhone. The iPhone 6 Plus boasts an optically-stabilized camera, an option that the smaller iPhone 6 lacks.
Other changes rumored for the next-generation iPhone are the addition of the Apple SIM, along with a so-called "A9" processor fabricated by Samsung and a move to 2 gigabytes of RAM. The 8-megapixel camera will reportedly remain for at least one more generation.
The company could also update its "C" line, continuing the 4-inch form factor by putting iPhone 5s internals -- plus a new NFC chip for Apple Pay compatibility -- into a polycarbonate shell. This would make Touch ID and Apple Pay ubiquitous throughout the iPhone lineup.
Longtime Apple partner TPK could be the sole supplier of force sensing components for the iPhone 6S Plus and Apple Watch, according to UDN. The parts could increase the cost of the 6s Plus by $13 to $14, compared to the $4 to $5 it is believed to cost for each Apple Watch.
If true, it would follow Apple's current practice of integrating more advanced technology in the larger iPhone. The iPhone 6 Plus boasts an optically-stabilized camera, an option that the smaller iPhone 6 lacks.
Other changes rumored for the next-generation iPhone are the addition of the Apple SIM, along with a so-called "A9" processor fabricated by Samsung and a move to 2 gigabytes of RAM. The 8-megapixel camera will reportedly remain for at least one more generation.
The company could also update its "C" line, continuing the 4-inch form factor by putting iPhone 5s internals -- plus a new NFC chip for Apple Pay compatibility -- into a polycarbonate shell. This would make Touch ID and Apple Pay ubiquitous throughout the iPhone lineup.
Comments
don't make us get gigantic phones to get the features.
Why not?
Apple have already differentiated the cameras. This would be another differentiation.
Not really. It's basically like a right click mouse button combined with a scroll wheel. It's essentially Apple trying to bring all the advantage of the iOS user experience—our fingers— to the Mac. Good for them, but I don't see this being so critical on iOS. Apple still sells the iPhone 4s, which is hampered in many ways compared to the 6.
Not really. It's basically like a right click mouse button combined with a scroll wheel. It's essentially Apple trying to bring all the advantage of the iOS user experience—our fingers— to the Mac. Good for them, but I don't see this being so critical on iOS. Apple still sells the iPhone 4s, which is hampered in many ways compared to the 6.
Huge difference. A camera is a hardware feature that has zero impact on developers or the usage of the OS. Apple isn't expecting anyone to develop cool new features to support optical stabilization.
They surely want this adopted because it significantly differentiates their product from Android where the gaps are getting narrower. The only way to get widespread adoption is for the hardware to be widespread; i.e., all new devices. I suspect the camera differentiation was either an issue of cost or space. Since they have used Force Touch on a watch, space certainly isn't an issue and volume would work out any cost problems.
I think that when we all see how people will start using Force Touch as another dimension to the UI, we'll all start to understand why it is a big deal.
^ I agree. Features like optical stabilisation are fine to have on just the higher model,
i think OIS was only on the plus due to size constraints.
Huge difference. A camera is a hardware feature that has zero impact on developers or the usage of the OS. Apple isn't expecting anyone to develop cool new features to support optical stabilization.
They surely want this adopted because it significantly differentiates their product from Android where the gaps are getting narrower. The only way to get widespread adoption is for the hardware to be widespread; i.e., all new devices. I suspect the camera differentiation was either an issue of cost or space.
bingo, on both points.
Not really, saying that the 4s is hampered compared to the 6, being a 3 year-old device, is not the same as saying that one of the 2 new releases of the year is hampered compared to the other.
That will be a huge mistake ..
Considering they seemed to do it with the MacBook Air vs new/ pro, it's possible but still unlikely.
Not really. It's basically like a right click mouse button combined with a scroll wheel. It's essentially Apple trying to bring all the advantage of the iOS user experience—our fingers— to the Mac. Good for them, but I don't see this being so critical on iOS. Apple still sells the iPhone 4s, which is hampered in many ways compared to the 6.
No, this is an substantial development of their user interface that is already being implemented on MacBooks and the Watch. It's a near certainty that they will add this to the iPhone sooner or later, and if they add it to one iPhone model they have to add it to all iOS devices.
I can't quite figure out if you fundamentally misunderstand the factors that drive Apple product decisions or if you just enjoy presenting a contrarian view.