Here Are Some Of The Rumors Going Around About The Next Apple Gadgets

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It seems like immediately upon Apple releasing new products, the rumor mill gets to chugging along again, with folks trying to predict what the company will come out with next. It can be hard to stay on top of those rumors, so we thought we’d help.

Right now there’s a lot of buzz around what the successors of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will be, as well as the specifics surrounding the upcoming versions of the Apple Watch. Here’s what we’ve been hearing:

The Next iPhone

The name: Everyone’s been calling the next iPhones the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which would seem to make sense, based on how the company has named previous phones. There’s also leaked video going around that appears to show three new phones: one 4.7-inch iPhone 7 model, and two 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus and Pro models, BGR reports.

The shape: Rumor has it, and so does MacRumors, that the next phones will look a lot like the current versions, with the same thickness and screen sizes. The leaked video of the purported phones show that they’re similar to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but there’s no camera ring like on the current versions, and the antenna lines are redesigned.

A dual-lens camera for the larger iPhone: The new cameras on the larger iPhone will make for brighter photos with more detail in low light, the rumor mill says. This combination of merged photos from the two sensors will allow users to zoom while retaining clarity, an insider told Bloomberg. The smaller iPhone won’t have these dual sensors.

No headphone jack?: This rumor has persisted for a while. Bloomberg spoke to the always wise “people familiar with the matter” who say it’s true — the next iPhone won’t have a headphone jack. There have been a few purported leaks of the design that show two speakers instead. How will you get your tunes delivered to your ears? Wired headphones will connect to the iPhone 7 using its Lightning port, MacRumors says, while wireless headphones provide another alternative.

A home button that doesn’t click: Instead of a home button that physically depresses when you touch it, the new iPhone is said to use pressure sensing haptic technology, Apple Insider reports, that will vibrate slightly when you touch it to let you know it’s been pressed.

Release date: It’s still unclear when the next iPhones will drop, but Bloomberg cites insiders who say it could be as early as next month at its annual media event. Preorders could begin on Sept. 9, and if the company follows its usual patterns, the new phones will be available to consumers a few weeks after they’re revealed to the public.

Apple Watch 2

The name: Apple Insider says the company is planning to release two Apple watch versions, one that’s a minor update of the current models, and an “Apple Watch 2.”

Preparing for accidental dunking: Resistance to water is expected to be improved on both new versions.

Improved geolocation: The Apple Watch 2 will have the same general design as current models, Apple Insider notes, but will also have a GPS radio and barometer for improved geolocation capabilities.

Better battery: A higher capacity battery will be available on the Apple Watch 2, but because it’s a larger battery, there won’t be the usual slimming of the device you might expect.

The release date: Before the end of 2016.

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