Next-Generation iPhones Said to Feature Force Touch, Lack Dual-Lens Camera System

[MacRumors]

The so-called "iPhone 6s" and "iPhone 6s Plus" will reportedly adopt Force Touch, a feature that debuted on the Apple Watch in September, according to sources for AppleInsider. The next-generation iPhones are expected to retain the same physical design as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, including 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models. The report adds that the return of a 4-inch model appears unlikely for this refresh.

Force Touch uses tiny electrodes to distinguish between a light tap or deep press on the screen, prompting the software to perform a different action depending on how much pressure is exerted on the display. Apple would likely have to use a flexible OLED display on a future iPhone model in order for Force Touch to be possible on the smartphone. Apple calls Force Touch its most significant new sensing capability since Multi-Touch on its Apple Watch microsite.

"In addition to recognizing touch, Apple Watch senses force, adding a new dimension to the user interface. Force Touch uses tiny electrodes around the flexible Retina display to distinguish between a light tap and a deep press, and trigger instant access to a range of contextually specific controls -- such as an action menu in Messages, or a mode that allows you to select different watch faces -- whenever you want. It's the most significant new sensing capability since Multi-Touch."

Apple reportedly experimented with adding Force Touch to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus last year, although calibration issues resulted in removal of the feature prior to the smartphones being released. The issues appear to have been resolved at this point, however, and Force Touch is now on Apple's upcoming roadmap. The so-called "iPhone 6s" and "iPhone 6s Plus" will presumably be announced next September.

The report also dismisses the rumor about next-generation iPhones gaining a DSLR-like dual-lens camera system, as implementing this feature would require redesigning the iPhone and moving away from the current chassis found on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Last month, it was reported that the iPhone 6s will retain an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera sensor, although that does not limit other improvements from being made.

It was also rumored in January that the iPhone 6s will gain Force Touch and 2GB of RAM.

Article Link: Next-Generation iPhones Said to Feature Force Touch, Lack Dual-Lens Camera System

 

[sniffies]

I still don't understand how they're gonna force me to touch it.

 

[DavidBlack]

This should prove to be very useful...

 

[mpavilion]

How would this be different (for a user) from "long-press" -- a UI interaction which other OS's make use of, but iOS seems to use sparingly (or not at all)? In other words, since iOS barely uses long-press, what's the point of "Force Touch"?

 

[Canubis]

How would this be different (for a user) from "long-press" -- a UI interaction which other OS's make use of, but iOS seems to use sparingly (or not at all)? In other words, since iOS barely uses long-press, what's the point of "Force Touch"?

Sounds like super-usefull for drawing apps, painting apps, brushes in photo retouche etc…

Coincidence has it, there usually comes a new iOS together with a new iPhone. So I could imagine them implementing tons of features were the new feature makes sense.

On a sidenote, I've also been missing broader support for long taps. There are so many cases were I tried and hoped it would work, but it never did.

 

[Scyanide]

How would this be different (for a user) from "long-press" -- a UI interaction which other OS's make use of, but iOS seems to use sparingly (or not at all)? In other words, since iOS barely uses long-press, what's the point of "Force Touch"?

I don't see the reason for it now and I agree in that iOS doesn't really use long-presses but with it maybe they have plans to bring additional navigation/user experiences into future iOS releases. *shrugs*

--

Sounds like super-usefull for drawing apps, painting apps, brushes in photo retouche etc…

Coincidence has it, there usually comes a new iOS together with a new iPhone. So I could imagine them implementing tons of feature were the new feature makes sense.
On a sidenote, I am also kinda missing broader support for long taps. There are so many cases were I tried and hoped it would work, but never did.

Didn't think of drawing applications. I wonder if ForceTouch will be combined with their stylus patents (assuming they are looking into building a stylus as rumored)?

 

[needfx]

unless I can use it as a scale, not interested

 

[mejsric]

Now i can see what Samesung Galaxy S7

 

[Harmonious Zen]

Sounds like super-usefull for drawing apps, painting apps, brushes in photo retouche etc…

Coincidence has it, there usually comes a new iOS together with a new iPhone. So I could imagine them implementing tons of features were the new feature makes sense.

On a sidenote, I've also been missing broader support for long taps. There are so many cases were I tried and hoped it would work, but it never did.

Drawing and note taking apps will be huge. People have been calling for a pressure sensitive stylus for a while. This is potentially even better because it can be used with any stylus or finger.

Also some interesting applications in games as well.

 

[ILikeAllOS]

Wait, Apple might finally add an OLED display to the iPhone?
Don't OLED displays use significantly less power than the current Retina LCD displays?
The iPhone 6 Plus already has a long battery life, imagine how long the iPhone 6s Plus would last!

 

[darcyf]

I selfishly hope they don't include the more advanced camera upgrades in the 6s since my plan is to hold onto my 5s until the 7. If the 6s upped the camera ante too high I might be tempted to upgrade sooner

 

[thekeyring]

Currently on a 5C and was tempted by the 6 Plus. Luckily, my contract won't end until this September, and judging by these sorts of rumors, I'm in for a hell of an upgrade

 

[nostaws]

I'm a 5s hold out as well. But I was hoping for a new camera in the 6s since I would like to upgrade sooner.
I love the stabilization in the 6 plus, but the rumors of a new camera has had me holding out.

I selfishly hope they don't include the more advanced camera upgrades in the 6s since my plan is to hold onto my 5s until the 7. If the 6s upped the camera ante too high I might be tempted to upgrade sooner

 

[Fiestaman]

Currently on a 5C and was tempted by the 6 Plus. Luckily, my contract won't end until this September, and judging by these sorts of rumors, I'm in for a hell of an upgrade

I always hold out for the S iterations. The non-S versions have mainly been about form factor changes while the S iterations let them iron out any kinks while upgrading and adding hardware. Form factor is nice and lets everyone know that you have the latest and great, but it's the S updates that really knock it out of the park. It's starting to sound like the 6S is going to be more of the same.
I think Apple actually feels like they need to do more internally for the S iterations in order to set them apart from the non-S, while the big discerning factor of non-S is form factor. Plus, it seems like we have these issues like "Antennagate" or "Bendgate" with new form factors, but don't seem to have these issues with the S.
You honestly can't go wrong with either though. You're getting a great phone whether you get the S or non-S.

 

[jordanst]

New possibilities with OLED

If the iPhone gains an OLED display, it will bring much more than just force touch. There will be an opportunity to really change iOS. Using this display tech, iOS will gain the cool effect of objects seeming to float on the screen like the Apple Watch. That should bring some new UI effects to the iPhone.
Jony Ive recently reffered to this in the New Yorker interview:

He picked up his iPhone 6 and pressed the home button. “The whole of the display comes on,” he said. “That, to me, feels very, very old.” (The iPhone 6 reached stores two weeks later.) He went on to explain that an Apple Watch uses a new display technology whose blacks are blacker than those in an iPhone’s L.E.D. display. This makes it easier to mask the point where, beneath a glass surface, a display ends and its frame begins. An Apple Watch jellyfish swims in deep space, and becomes, Ive said, as much an attribute of the watch as an image. On a current iPhone screen, a jellyfish would be pinned against dark gray, and framed in black, and, Ive said, have “much less magic.”

 

[wigby]

Sounds like super-usefull for drawing apps, painting apps, brushes in photo retouche etc…

Coincidence has it, there usually comes a new iOS together with a new iPhone. So I could imagine them implementing tons of features were the new feature makes sense.

On a sidenote, I've also been missing broader support for long taps. There are so many cases were I tried and hoped it would work, but it never did.

I'm not sure I see the value of force touch at all unless it allows for multiple pressure levels.

 

[SBlue1]

iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus only? What about the iPhone 6s Mini/iPhones 6c?

 

[Arran]

How would this be different (for a user) from "long-press" -- a UI interaction which other OS's make use of, but iOS seems to use sparingly (or not at all)? In other words, since iOS barely uses long-press, what's the point of "Force Touch"?

Long press is used to select words on a page for cut/copy operations and a few other things like looking up a word's dictionary definition. So I guess a hard press might make that popup menu appear a bit faster? But that's about all I can think of in the UI for now.

Now, if Apple made hard-press do other new things in the UI right now, that would alienate a lot of 5, 5s, 6 owners unless they're given some other (clunky?) mechanism to simulate a hard-press.

 

[A MacBook lover]

It would make sense why apple is trying to promote the 'shot on iPhone' campaign now, because dual lense didn't make this round.

 

[tito2020]

Wait, Apple might finally add an OLED display to the iPhone?
Don't OLED displays use significantly less power than the current Retina LCD displays?
The iPhone 6 Plus already has a long battery life, imagine how long the iPhone 6s Plus would last!

Apple already has a deal with samsung to produce OLED panels for future apple devices.

 

[ray6712]

Could see this working in the music app selecting a song to play like an up next with a long press or a nice way to drag and drop maybe between apps

 

[nerdAFK]

unless I can use it as a scale, not interested

Someone is lacking imagination here.

 

[janderson0719]

I always hold out for the S iterations. The non-S versions have mainly been about form factor changes while the S iterations let them iron out any kinks while upgrading and adding hardware. Form factor is nice and lets everyone know that you have the latest and great, but it's the S updates that really knock it out of the park. It's starting to sound like the 6S is going to be more of the same.
I think Apple actually feels like they need to do more internally for the S iterations in order to set them apart from the non-S, while the big discerning factor of non-S is form factor. Plus, it seems like we have these issues like "Antennagate" or "Bendgate" with new form factors, but don't seem to have these issues with the S.
You honestly can't go wrong with either though. You're getting a great phone whether you get the S or non-S.

These types of arguments really need to go away. These are just 'egg before the chicken' talk. Doesn't matter which cycle you're on.

 

[lowercaseperson]

I think this could be really cool - just hope it doesn't get introduced only to be severely crippled by Apple while they fret out its usefulness. If they do release it in the next iPhone I hope they've done a good job integrating it into the OS. Maybe to allow for split screen apps...something big.

I guess what I'm saying is I don't want to this to simply be a third was to access my calculator or camera....do something meaningful it.

 

[PowerBook-G5]

So far, the iPhone 6S is shaping up to be a BEAST:

- A9 processor
- 2GB RAM
- Force Touch
- Camera improvements (pretty much guaranteed)


And when upgrading to a 6S this fall from a 5/5C, it'll be a HUGE leap for me

----------

Could Force Touch replace the long-hold feature used in some apps (mainly Safari, for opening links in the background and saving photos)? I do believe that someone else mentioned this, but it'd be great if it would work like this.