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Third-Party iPhone 7 Plus Cases Continue Debate Over Smart Connector Inclusion

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Following early third-party iPhone 7 cases that surfaced earlier this year, several accessory manufacturers have now begun releasing cases for the larger iPhone 7 Plus, but the cases continue to fuel conflicting rumors over whether the larger model will include a Smart Connector on the rear.

The first case manufacturer, Sunnyc, has a listing for a $9.99 case that includes mockup of the iPhone 7 Plus that shows off the rumored dual-lens camera system with a horizontally-aligned flash (via 9to5Mac). At the bottom of the case's back side, there's a cutout for a Smart Connector, a feature that has been the subject of a number of rumors including both as a potential inclusion on the device and an idea scrapped by Apple.

iphone-7-cases-2-800x445.jpg
Sunnyc's $9.99 iPhone 7 Plus case​


Rumors earlier in the year began indicating that the iPhone 7 Plus would feature an iPad Pro-like Smart Connector, which is used to provide simultaneous power and data connections to accessories like the Smart Keyboard. As the expected fall launch of the new iPhone devices grows near, however, Japanese site Mac Otakara suggested Apple has nixed the Smart Connector from its plans -- a rumor SunnyC's case now opposes.

Supporting claims of no Smart Connector for the iPhone 7 Plus is another set of cases that recently surfaced on Alibaba. The simple cases include the same horizontally extended camera opening to accommodate dual lenses, but lack an opening lower on the case for a Smart Connector.

iphone_7_plus_cases_rainbow.jpg

Either way, it remains unclear what advantages including a Smart Connector on the iPhone would bring, considering the iPad Pro's primary Smart Connector-enabled accessory is its $149.00 sold-separately Smart Keyboard ($169.00 for the 12.9-inch model). Possibilities include an interface for battery cases that would not require a "chin" or block the iPhone's Lightning port, a docking station, or a potential wireless charging solution that's paired with a charging pad.

Sunnyc has also posted two case designs for the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 -- both described as a "Protective Silicon Case" -- that offer basic protection and raised edges to protect the front of the device. While one sells for $8.99 and has a cutout for the Apple logo on the back, and the other is going for $11.99 and includes a more uniform, uninterrupted back plate, both are largely unnoticeable as next-generation iPhone cases and do not include cutouts for a Smart Connector.

Article Link: Third-Party iPhone 7 Plus Cases Continue Debate Over Smart Connector Inclusion
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/02/iphone-7-plus-cases/
Oh no, Apple. Please no more markings on the device's reverse side adding to the antenna lines and protruding camera. Those smart connectors are anything but smart looking. Why can't smart keyboards interface wirelessly?
 
Well if headphones must be attached via lightening, this port is going to be required for any battery packs and other such accessories without adding further bulk.
 
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No headphone jack and the dual-camera system is all but confirmed. I see no use for a Smart Connector. If it's included and Apple market it as connecting battery cases to the phone, they are basically saying the battery life is rubbish so I don't see that happening. A keyboard on a 5.5-inch phone? No. So I see no need for it.
 
smacrumon said:
Oh no, Apple. Please no more markings on the device's reverse side adding to the antenna lines and protruding camera. Those smart connectors are anything but smart looking. Why can't smart keyboards interface through wirelessly?
Click to expand...
Wait, what? The smart connector could open up amazing possibilities in new cases. Case that support wireless charging or have landscape keyboards for those weird people who need them. What about storage increase inside of the cases or new iHome like appliances. That's only the stuff mentioned in the article but I'm sure developers could think of more opportunities.
How can you accuse Apple of putting form over function one day yet choose form over this function?
 
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TMRJIJ said:
Wait, what? The smart connector could open up amazing possibilities in new cases. Case that support wireless charging or have landscape keyboards for those weird people who need them. What about storage increase inside of the cases or new iHome like appliances. That's only the stuff mentioned in the article but I'm sure developers could think of more opportunities.
How can you accuse Apple of putting form over function one day yet choose form over this function?
Click to expand...
Well with that thinking, let's decorate that reverse side of the iPhone with all sorts of ornaments-- we've got three different types so far, any others? I thought we all moved on from physical connectors. Besides we already have a physical connector at the very bottom. It's one or the other, not both and certainly not in the most in-your-face position. I'm really sensitive about this issue. It's important Apple product remain simple. Complex and unresolved designs are reserved for other manufacturers.
 
Apple experiments with so many prototypes I never understand why anyone gets so worked up over rumors. They are fun to discuss and theorize about, but that's it till we get some good, fuzzy, part leak photos. :rolleyes:

I could see the smart connector, if ever implemented could open the door to a wide range of uses- no need anymore for 30pin to lightning adapters or lighting to usb-c (whatever happens). If lightning ever changes, whatever accessory you use continues to connect to the smart connector.

Didn't someone at Apple in an interview discuss they built over a 100 prototypes designing the Macbook Air?
 
No matter what, they're not gonna have a lot of them sold.
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Wait, didn't we say the same thing for the iPhone 6, and Apple sold them like hot potatoes.....
 
What else would smart connector permit except keyboards and slow charging? Just make it semi-waterproof please!
 
Taipan said:
Those idiotic case-makers releasing cases without having final specs continue to amaze me.
Click to expand...

Same here. These case makers must have allot of money to burn or manufacturing is just that damn cheap in China. Not sure why you would burn the money producing these cases when ultimately they are as clueless as us.
 
SMIDG3T said:
No headphone jack and the dual-camera system is all but confirmed. I see no use for a Smart Connector. If it's included and Apple market it as connecting battery cases to the phone, they are basically saying the battery life is rubbish so I don't see that happening. A keyboard on a 5.5-inch phone? No. So I see no need for it.
Click to expand...
Not just that, but I see no point in a smart connector which is going to be blocked or covered by virtually every iPhone case out there. Has Apple learnt nothing from the LG G5 fiasco?
 
TechZeke said:
Same here. These case makers must have allot of money to burn or manufacturing is just that damn cheap in China. Not sure why you would burn the money producing these cases when ultimately they are as clueless as us.
Click to expand...
The payout for being the first case maker to market is huge. Companies are willing to take these huge risks in hopes of giant profits.
 
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I think the case makers probably just make one prototype based on rumors. Articles like this are probably free advertising for them. I never heard of Sunnyc's cases until now.
Maybe smart connector can be used for wireless charging ? WHo knows.
 
That case doesn't even make any sense - something like a smart keyboard wouldn't be able to connect. The only thing that would work is some kind of magsafe like charging connector.
 
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