It’s still hard to tell whether Apple will launch an “iPhone 7 Pro” alongside the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus this fall. But here’s what we know about the potential device so far based on all the rumors that have surface in recent months.
Design
You can expect the iPhone 7 Pro to look almost identical to the iPhone 7 Plus. Photo leaks suggest it will be exactly the same size and shape, with the same 5.5-inch Retina HD display. It will also have the same Lightning connector, and will likely lose its headphone jack — possibly in exchange for an additional speaker.
However, there could be some big design differences that separate the iPhone 7 Pro from the iPhone 7 Plus.
Dual-Lens Camera
The main difference, according to the reports, is that the iPhone 7 Pro will have a new dual-lens camera module. By employing two sensors and using both simultaneously, iPhone 7 Pro will be able to take brighter, sharper photos — even in low light. The camera could also allow for optical zoom and some nifty effects.
Because that dual-lens camera will be the 7 Pro’s biggest selling point — and the main reason to spend more on this model — you won’t find it on any other iPhone. That means the iPhone 7 Plus will likely have the same iSight camera as the smaller iPhone 7.
Smart Connector
Another big selling point for the 7 Pro will reportedly be a Smart Connector adopted from the iPad Pro series. It might take a while for this to fulfill its potential, but you can eventually expect to see all kinds of new accessories that take advantage of it, including physical keyboards and battery cases that don’t need access to the Lightning port.
Wireless Charging
Some reports have claimed Apple’s next-generation iPhones will be its first with wireless charging capabilities. What’s more, it’s thought Apple’s technology will be much more advanced that that of its rivals, allowing the iPhone 7 series to be charged within a field of around 15 feet, rather than having to be placed on a charging pad.
It should be noted, however, that we’ve seen no evidence of these claims just yet. Unlike the dual-lens camera and Smart Connector — which have both appeared in leaked images — there’s no concrete sign of wireless charging capabilities so far.
Water-Proofing
According to analysts at Deutsche Bank, the iPhone 7 series will also offer “professional class water-proofing.” It’s not totally clear what that means yet, but it sounds much more exciting than the “water-resistance” offered by rival devices.
Once again, though, we haven’t seen any evidence of that water-proofing just yet — except for a new feature in iOS 10 that tells you to remove Lightning accessories from your iPhone when its port it too wet.
Touch-Sensitive Home Button
To make that water-proofing possible, Apple is expected to swap the physical home buttons it has been using since the original iPhone debuted in 2007 with a new touch-sensitive version. It’s expected to use motors to simulate clicks — just like the Force Touch trackpad in the latest MacBooks.
Specifications
In addition to a 5.5-inch display and everything else we’ve already mentioned, the iPhone 7 Pro is expected to feature the same A10 processor as the rest of Apple’s next-generation iOS devices. It is also expected to offer 3GB of RAM (1GB more than the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus), and up to 256GB of storage.
The device is also likely to get all the other features you expect from a high-end iPhone, including Touch ID, a 3D Touch display, and Apple Pay.
Release Date
The iPhone 7 Pro is expected to arrive at exactly the same time as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. According to the latest rumor from ever-reliable tipster Evan Blass (@evleaks), that will be the week beginning September 12. That means Apple’s official unveiling could take place around September 5.
We should remember, however, that the iPhone 7 Pro isn’t nailed on in the same way the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are. Many still have doubts that there will be a “Pro” model, which is likely to upset a lot of customers who want that dual-lens camera and Smart Connector without having to pay yet more money for another iPhone variation.
Having said that, the device would likely perform well in markets like China, where some customers have the money to splash out on expensive technology, and are willing to pay more for high-end devices that the average consumer can’t afford.
Would you like to see an iPhone 7 Pro this fall? And will you be happy to pay extra for that dual-lens camera and other upgrades? Let us know down in the comments.
