Latest iPhone to be unveiled on Sept 7

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple has confirmed the date for its annual product launch event on Sept 7, where it is expected to unveil the next generation of the iPhone. The Californian company is expected to showcase at least two new iPhones at the event, which will probably be called the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. It could also release new or updated models of the Apple Watch.

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are expected to look fairly similar to the current models, but have larger and more powerful cameras than their predecessors, with the 5.5-inch version possibly sporting a dual-lens camera.

Rumours have consistently indicated that the phones would not have a headphone jack and that the physical home button will be replaced with a pressure-sensitive one. Apple’s event invitations are often scoured for signs of hints about the next iPhone.

The invitation showed out-of-focus multicoloured lights against a black background. The spots of light on the invitation form the top portion of the Apple logo, with the message “See you on the 7th” below.

“The real point to make is how little chance of a surprise there is,” said Mr Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Partners, adding that two white spots of light in the invitation were indicative of the dual lens, while the event’s date hints at the likely iPhone 7 name. “The company doesn’t seem to be able to generate surprises anymore.”

Apple is facing a revenue decline this year as customers upgrade their smartphones less regularly.

The iPhone generates about two-thirds of Apple’s sales, making a product refresh essential to help revive growth in the run-up to Christmas. 

UPDATED FEATURES

What is it?
• The next generation of Apple’s iPhone is expected to come in two sizes, like the current model, and could be called the iPhone 7 or 6se.
What features will it have?
• It is expected to have an upgraded camera, a 4.7-inch or 5.5-inch display, and pressure-sensitive home button. Rumours suggest Apple could remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from the phone and move the antenna bands to the edges. It may also have 50 per cent more processing power.
• When will it go on sale?
It is expected to be unveiled at the beginning of next month, with Sept 16 or 23 rumoured to be the day it will go on sale.
• How much will it cost?
Currency fluctuations and rumours that Apple could ditch the 16GB version of the phone mean that the price is still uncertain.

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