Apple won't release its next-generation iPhone until the fall of 2016, so there are still several months of development ahead. For the current time, Apple's flagship iPhones are the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus, released to the public in September of 2015.
Though it will be several months before the new iPhone launches, rumors about the device started trickling out in January of 2016. We've already gleaned many details about the upcoming iPhone, giving us some information on what to expect when it launches.
Since the 3GS launched in 2009, Apple has used an alternating "S" naming formula to mark years where the iPhone does not receive a major redesign, saving its numbered upgrades for years where design changes are introduced. Releases have been as follows:
2007 - iPhone
2008 - iPhone 3G
2009 - iPhone 3GS
2010 - iPhone 4 (new design)
2011 - iPhone 4s
2012 - iPhone 5 (new design)
2013 - iPhone 5s
2014 - iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (new design)
2015 - iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
2008 - iPhone 3G
2009 - iPhone 3GS
2010 - iPhone 4 (new design)
2011 - iPhone 4s
2012 - iPhone 5 (new design)
2013 - iPhone 5s
2014 - iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (new design)
2015 - iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
The next-generation iPhone is expected to be called the iPhone 7. 2015 marked an "S" iPhone upgrade year that introduced new features such as an improved camera and a better processor, but 2016 will bring an even-year upgrade that will include an all-new iPhone design in addition to new features.
Apple will continue releasing two versions of each iPhone, so we can expect to see an iPhone 7 and an iPhone 7 Plus in 2016. Apple is said to be planning to stick to the 4.7- and 5.5-inch screen sizes it first introduced with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Apple is said to be working on finalizing the iPhone 7's body so we don't know exactly what it will look like, but multiple rumors suggest it continues to use a design similar to the design of the iPhone 6s. It is said tohave the same general shape, but it is thinner and may have a camera that protrudes less (though rumors currently disagree on this point). Antenna bands across the back of the device have been removed, but are expected to remain at the top, bottom, and sides of the iPhone.
Apple is rumored to be aiming to make the iPhone 7 nearly as thin as the 6.1mm iPod touch, mainly through the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack and the implementation of a thinner Lightning port. Eliminating the headphone jack will give Apple more internal space for other components, and Apple will also keep the device slim with the continued use of in-cell panels and TFT-LCD display technology. Apple may replace the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 with a second speaker for stereo audio.
With no headphone jack, wired headphones will connect to the iPhone 7 using its Lightning port and Bluetooth headphones will connect wirelessly. Apple is rumored to be working on Lightning-equipped EarPods to sell alongside the iPhone 7.
An image of a device said to be the iPhone 7 Plus has surfaced depicting a Smart Connector on the back of the shell, suggesting that is another potential feature, but it is not yet clear what it would be used for.
Internal specs for the iPhone 7 aren't yet known, but we can speculate Apple will continue on its path of introducing more powerful, efficient devices that grow thinner with each design iteration. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are expected to include next-generation A10 processors manufactured by TSMC.
There are rumored to be some distinguishing features between the iPhone 7 and the larger-screened iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhone 7 may ship with 2GB RAM, while the iPhone 7 Plus could include 3GB RAM, and there is said to be a different camera system that uses two cameras instead of one.
According to rumors, Apple may be planning to introduce two versions of the iPhone 7 Plus -- one with a single lens like the iPhone 7 and a second with a dual-lens camera system that offers DSLR-like image quality with 2-3x optical zoom and improved performance in low light conditions.
electronics company Samsung has launched two smartphone models at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, including one with a display that curves at the edges (+ slideshow).
The screen on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is curved around the longer sides to offer an "immersive viewing experience" by continuing the interface around its edges.
The South Korean electronics company described this as the "world's first curved display on both sides", although Japanese brand KDDI's Infobar A03 smartphone launched earlier this year also includes this feature.
Samsung set a precedent for the design last November with the Galaxy Note Edge, featuring a screen that wraps around one side of the phone. The company also unveiled a curved television earlier this year and has previously revealed a phone with an entirely arched screen, while other electronics brands including LG are also integrating flexible displays into smartphones.
The curved feature provides slightly more display space than typical phones, and allows users to swipe alerts or contacts onto the screen from the side of the device.
Samsung launched the new S6 Edge phone alongside the Galaxy S6, which has a similar design but with a flat screen. Both have an updated version of the company's Touchwiz interface and wireless charging capabilities.
"With the all new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung is offering what's next in mobility, along with a new standard to drive the global mobile agenda," said Andy Griffiths, Samsung's UK president.
The Galaxy S6 measures 6.8 millimetres thick and weighs 138 grams – slightly thinner and heavier than the iPhone 6. The Edge model is marginally thicker, at seven millimetres, but weighs 132 grams. Both run on Google's Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system.
The phones' screens are made of Corning Gorilla Glass 4, which Samsung calls "the toughest glass to date". This marks a move away from the plastic screens of previous models, and these are encased in a milled-metal rim with rounded corners.
The 12.95-centimetre screen offers a pixel density of 577 pixels per inch, with an updated interface and a brighter display for viewing outdoors.
Surrounding the display, the material is available in a selection of different tones including White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz and Green Emerald.
Both models feature a front-facing five-megapixel camera and another 16-megapixel camera at the rear, which can be accessed with a new "quick launch" feature by double clicking the home key button.
The models also now feature Qi technology, which creates compatibility with wireless charging points such as those integrated into Ikea's latest furniture range.
Samsung claims that the new models charge 1.5 times faster than the Galaxy S5, providing about four hours of usage after 10 minutes of wired charging.
"By listening to our customers we continuously push forward new technologies and ideas," said Griffiths. "With a reimagined design, robust partner network and novel services, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge do just this, offering users two completely differentiated products that deliver the ultimate in smartphone options."
Both phones will be available globally from 10 April with 32, 64 and 128 GB storage options.
Mobile World Congress 2015 officially opens today and runs until 5 March.
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