Many iPhone fans don’t like waiting two years for major refreshes, but it could be about to get a lot worse. According to one report, Apple is switching its big upgrades to a three-year cycle, which is why this year’s iPhone 7 will look just like its predecessors.
Apple’s second iPhone — iPhone 3G — was a big upgrade over the original that arrived a year earlier, but since then, significant refreshes have only happened every other year. Incremental ‘S’ upgrades, which offer newer components inside the same design, have filled the gaps.
This year, following last year’s iPhone 6s series, we should be getting another major refresh — but we know that’s not going to be the case. Leaks have revealed the iPhone 7 is almost identical to the iPhone 6s in design, with most improvements to be made internally.
We figured this was because it’s the iPhone’s tenth anniversary next year, and that Apple is planning to save its next major upgrade for that. According to reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to deliver a new “all-glass” design and OLED displays.
Now a report from Japanese newspaper Nikkei warns we should get used to this three-year wait for big upgrades. Apple has reportedly decided to extent its cycle because of slowing market demand and due to “smartphone functions having little room left for major enhancements.”
For this year’s upgrade, Nikkei expects “functions such as the camera, water resistance and battery capacity will likely be improved, and the headphone jack will be removed.” Its report claims there will also be a “high-end version” that offers greater camera capabilities.
According to other reports, that model will be the iPhone 7 Plus, which is expected to get Apple’s first dual-lens camera.
“On the other hand, the 2017 model will likely involve major enhancements and design changes, including adoption of an organic electroluminescent display,” Nikkei adds. “The new device will also be able to create more complex tactile vibrations on the display.”
This news is likely to upset Apple investors, many of whom already feel the company isn’t doing enough to address falling iPhone demand.
Via: PC World
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
8 responses to “You better get used to waiting 3 years for big iPhone upgrades”
might not be a bad idea. level out the need for landfill waste as well technological leaps every year with disappointment if they didn’t reinvent the wheel.
The “need” to upgrade to the latest and greatest is dead. This will be the first time ever I won’t upgrade.
This just shows that Apple has seriously ran out of ideas and need someone new in charge a new steve jobs. As Tim Cook seemed to have cooked up other peoples ideas and used the last of Job’s ones too. As it seems! Apple isn’t apple anymore if it slows down and doesn’t innovate much more!
I’m on the 6 and see little reason to even consider a new iPhone at this point
Generally doesn’t matter to many if they are waiting for their two year contract to end and be ready to pay X fee for the current contracts (Next/Edge/etc.)
Since I held on to my 4s with a grip of death until iOS upgrades damn near bricked it and because the 6s was so damn sexy I finally cracked, a three year cycle is good for me.
750p screens on the iphone 6s and the rest of the other players have Qhd screens ,ois on their cameras, curved glass screens wireless charging, water resistance, the iphone has none of this, but will wait 3 years to put one of these features on their overpriced overhyped phones.
They’re keeping the headphone jack this year. But they might consider doing it next year because it would be better received that way. The removed jack was based on leaks, but the inclusion of it was based on leaks as well. Also: if they did remove the jack, they would include headphones that use the lightning port. You may be given an option for an adapter or a wireless set (which is their aim: fewer wires). They might introduce surface charging (placing on a mat like QI). If they do, it would basically be a beta version for their 10th iPhone. Next year’s iPhone will be most worth it (for the oled display) but this year’s is a fine one as well. Really, there’s no perfect timing to upgrade, just decide whether or not you could use an upgrade now.