iPhone 7 Mockups Revive Rumors of 'Plus' and 'Pro' 5.5-Inch Models

[Kobayagi]

Macrumors #neversatifiedever

Complains for years that Apple needs a larger screen. Apple makes larger screens. Macrumor complains about too many choices.

Screen size is not the issue here. People are happy about having those choices. What they don't like is that the bigger iPhones are also getting the better features. i.e. Apple is forcing you to buy a huge (and more expensive) iPhone if you want the best stuff. And not everybody wants such a huge phone.

The difference between all the iPhones that come out at the same time should only be the screen and battery size.

So when you go and buy a new iPhone, your only concern should be to pick the right screen size for you. And not having to think about what you're giving up if you're going for a the smaller iPhone.

 

[lchlch]

Screen size is not the issue here. People are happy about having those choices. What they don't like is that the bigger iPhones are also getting the better features. i.e. Apple is forcing you to buy a huge (and more expensive) iPhone if you want the best stuff. And not everybody wants such a huge phone.

The difference between all the iPhones that come out at the same time should only be the screen and battery size.

So when you go and buy a new iPhone, your only concern should be to pick the right screen size for you. And not having to think about what you're giving up if you're going for a the smaller iPhone.

So your asking them to offer a non plus with even less battery life than the current one?

 

[Retired Cat]

I actually like the non-pro design, even though it's similar to the 6/6s. Revising the antenna bands makes the back look much cleaner, and the camera positioning looks aligned with the curve of the phone.

The Pro's super-pill camera bump looks slightly awkward to me.

I guess the real question is whether I'm willing to pay $649+ for this device. I'm not sure it makes sense to spend that much on a phone in 2016, when even midrange devices at the $300-400 level are very good.

 

[Pentium]

Man, the rumors are so lame that it maybe the first year to skip an iPhone...

 

[AFDoc]

Another day.... another round of splody heads keep sploding here on MR!! Love it, keep the rumors coming!

I for one hope they release 3 different phones so those that hate fragmentation continue to lose their minds!

 

[QuarterSwede]

I guess the real question is whether I'm willing to pay $649+ for this device. I'm not sure it makes sense to spend that much on a phone in 2016, when even midrange devices at the $300-400 level are very good.

That's the crux for me. This is the first year I'm skipping my every other year upgrade. I simply can't justify paying that much when there are great devices out there that are half as much. I won't go to Android as I have way too much invested in the Apple ecosystem but I will keep my 6 Plus longer before upgrading.

 

[furi0usbee]

I miss the days when the iPhone was just that... one phone. Now with all the models, gimmicks, upsells, etc... it's very tired already. Now we have "pro" phones. I'll be so embarrassed for the guy on stage who has to announce the iPhone Pro. How about giving us one phone, same features, maybe two screen sizes. But do we really need an entire line of phones? Gosh, Apple left me back in 2012 with the rMBP. I've been wandering in the ether ever since. I hope they don't let me go forever.

 

[bluespark]

7 Plus with a Smart Connector that will allow me to add a battery pack without adding to the length of the device would be amazing.

I've been thinking for a while that they should do that on all iPhone models. Let those of us who value thinness have our thin phones while letting those who prefer lengthy battery life have that simply by compromising a bit on thinness.

 

[Kobayagi]

So your asking them to offer a non plus with even less battery life than the current one?

Where did I state that? The non plus model has smaller battery since the phone is smaller it, thats to be expected. They can and should offer the Plus model. But the regular 6s should have exactly the same features as the Plus. If these rumors are right, then the Plus or "Pro" model will even make that gap worse, feature wise.

 

[hanafuda]

Could this be Apple moving to the three year cycle:

1st Year - Design change
2nd Year - S model
3rd Year - Pro Model

Meaning the next iPhone 2017 can be the complete design change which has been rumoured

I think it is, and I kind of hope so. No need to redesign something every year or every other year, especially when the design is already good. The every other year cycle seemed a bit unsustainable and from rumors about other phone manufacturers Apple is not alone in this belief. Plus I wish they would focus on other things, like battery life, screen tech, camera tech, etc.

 

[wheelhot]

I miss the days when the iPhone was just that... one phone. Now with all the models, gimmicks, upsells, etc... it's very tired already. Now we have "pro" phones. I'll be so embarrassed for the guy on stage who has to announce the iPhone Pro. How about giving us one phone, same features, maybe two screen sizes. But do we really need an entire line of phones? Gosh, Apple left me back in 2012 with the rMBP. I've been wandering in the ether ever since. I hope they don't let me go forever.

Exactly! It feels these days Apple can't decide how many models they want.

You have:
iPad Mini 2
iPad Mini 4
iPad Air 2
iPad Pro 9.7"
iPad Pro 12.9"

12" MacBook
11" MBA
13" MBA
13" MBP
13" rMBP
15" rMBP

and in the future
iPhone SE
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 7 Pro

Seriously, I'm fine with different screen sizes but what about overlapping similar screens sizes just to differentiate it by "pro", the iPP 9.7" could actually be an iPad Air 3 but Apple decided they need more money from an iPad due to stagnating iPad sales. iPad Mini is already cheap enough, and is supposed to be their entry to iPads model, yet they're still selling a Mini 2 model??

 

[StoneJack]

Exactly! It feels these days Apple can't decide how many models they want.

You have:
iPad Mini 2
iPad Mini 4
iPad Air 2
iPad Pro 9.7"
iPad Pro 12.9"

12" MacBook
11" MBA
13" MBA
13" MBP
13" rMBP
15" rMBP

and in the future
iPhone SE
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 7 Pro

Seriously, I'm fine with different screen sizes but what about overlapping similar screens sizes just to differentiate it by "pro", the iPP 9.7" could actually be an iPad Air 3 but Apple decided they need more money from an iPad due to stagnating iPad sales. iPad Mini is already cheap enough, and is supposed to be their entry to iPads model, yet they're still selling a Mini 2 model??

I think this is good line. The current models for ipads are only Mini 4, Air 2 and Pro models.
For Macbooks, once current 11 and 13 inch MBA retire, there will be 12, 13 and 15 inch models.

 

[dan110]

Dear Apple Leadership,

You're diluting the brand with this "Pro" nonsense. Please stop. Get back to the basics. You haven't updated the iPod, laptops, and other computers. You've done horribly with iTunes, Apple TV is at best average, you don't understand search as shown by Siri's incompetence, and the list goes on and on. FOCUS!!!

Apple Fanatic

 

[deepan84]

Just stop buying a generation of apple products and you'll see them pulling up their socks.

consumer power, peeps.

 

[jrlcopy]

Apple knows that without a new form factor - they are going to struggle to generate sales on this newer model.

Therefore - a new color or model with a better camera will be present to try and boost them. This is why we always see "S" models get the new colors. It's a refresh to make something old look new.

They probably didn't realize that till after it was already too late.

 

[Premium1]

What is up with the "s"?

I was wondering the same thing. I feel like apple should have just 2 models, the regular 4.7" version and the 5.5" version. I mean the larger version already gets more features, why need two models unless apple just wants to suck even more money out of customers by slapping a "pro" moniker on it and charging $100 more to start like with the iPad.

 

[omihek]

So they'll keep the 7 and 7 Plus pricing the same as 6S and 6S Plus, and they'll add $100 for the 7 Pro. Apple is really milking those fans who have to get the highest end of everything.

 

[inscrewtable]

I'm amazed that no one has decided to put two cameras in a phone at the long corners so you can get a separation equivalent to human eyes, that would then open up the possibilities of producing 3D stereo images like what would be displayed in the old Viewmaster® stereo slide viewer. Then Apple or someone else could invent a digital stereo viewer, but you do not even need that, you can make your own stereo shots and blend them in your own brain while viewing on a screen, much like you can blend the two images that are disguised in those Magic Eye pictures, it's the same technique that you use.

 

[44267547]

Honest question: who needs a "pro" iPhone? Is an iPhone 6S, for example, not a professional device?

I guess we won't know until the September Key Note. Apple will certainly differentiate the 'Pro' features which will target a specific audience.

 

[gabo864]

For the first time in a long time I feel like I won't be buying the next iPhone generation.

 

[44267547]

Man, the rumors are so lame that it maybe the first year to skip an iPhone...

That's why they are rumors, nothing has been confirmed. Hence Macrumors.

 

[lchlch]

Where did I state that? The non plus model has smaller battery since the phone is smaller it, thats to be expected. They can and should offer the Plus model. But the regular 6s should have exactly the same features as the Plus. If these rumors are right, then the Plus or "Pro" model will even make that gap worse, feature wise.

Yes you didn't say that.

But you will shorten battery life to ahieve feature parity. Reason being, a larger camera will use more space, which means less room for battery.

Alternatively, do you want Apple to gimp the larger phone so that they can maintain feature parity?

 

[44267547]

So they'll keep the 7 and 7 Plus pricing the same as 6S and 6S Plus, and they'll add $100 for the 7 Pro. Apple is really milking those fans who have to get the highest end of everything.

It's like anything you pay for in this economy. If you want a premium model or higher trim, you will always pay more for options not available for base models. And Apple charges a premium for all their products to maximize profit margins, they know this and they are renowned for it. It's not unusual. Those who can afford it, will purchase their products without hesitation.

 

[chazbcn]

This is most likely a set of mock ups. But if it's true to what's coming, it doesn't make any sense to me that Apple releases two 5.5" models...
I think they'll stick to the 4.7" iP7 and the 5.5" iP7 Plus (or Pro), just as it is today.
If they actually release the iP Pro alongside with a single-camera iP Plus, they'll be complicating even further an already crowded product line.
I'm starting to miss Apple's simplicity. I know times have changed and they're not the underdog of years ago.
September can't come soon enough!

 

[HiRez]

Short translation: Apple has once again found another way to upcharge you an additional $100.