Rumours around the new iPhone 6S went into overdrive this week following the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Apple's new mobile operating system, iOS 9, was announced and analysts say the updates point towards the features the latest iPhone will have.
The release date of the iPhone 6S is more than likely to be set for September, as Apple historically follows a pattern of unveiling new devices around when the new iOS will be available to the public. iOS9 will hit shelves in September.
It is unlikely there will be major changes to the outside appearance of the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus models, with all updates happening internally.
Apple traditionally releases an "S" model in between new iterations of its flagship phones, and the "S" devices usually have internal upgrades. The iPhone is expected to be fully revamped next year when the iPhone 7 is unveiled.
The rumours
Techradar.com reported the current iPhone 6 smartphones do not have a good battery life compared to competitors, noting Apple will have to change that to please customers. The new operating system is more energy-efficient and will therefore help the iPhone 6S with at least an extra hour of battery life.
Subscription-based music service Apple Music was announced at WWDC, so it is likely the iPhone 6S will benefit from an improved speaker system, especially since last year's acquisition of audio equipment company Beats. Better speakers will enhance the Apple Music experience for iPhone owners.
Technology seen in the Apple Watch and MacBook is also likely to make its way onto the new device. The Telegraph reported Taptic Engine and Force Touch, if integrated into the new smartphone, would give users new ways of interacting with their device.
Force Touch detects how hard the user is pressing the screen and allows for different actions according to pressure. This includes tasks like looking up the definition of a word, or glancing at the preview of a picture.
The new iPhone 6S could also incorporate wireless charging, another feature developed for the Apple Watch.
According to Macworld.co.uk, Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst from KGI Securities, has a track record for correctly predicting Apple's plans. The Web site listed Kuo's predictions, which include:
- A 12MP rear camera and a microphone on the back of the phone for recording better audio in videos.
- The iPhone 6S will be available in rose gold, in addition to gold, silver and space grey.
- 2GB of RAM in the A9 processor.
- A new kind of metal casing to prevent bending.
- Touch ID will see significant improvement due to the growing use of Apple Pay.
Kuo also predicted demand will outweigh supply and expects the new models to outsell faster than the iPhone 6 did. He believes the iPhone 6S 4.7-inch model will outsell the larger iPhone 6S Plus 5.5-inch model by a factor of two-to-one.
Apple sold more than 10 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models in the first weekend after its launch last September. By December 2014, the company had sold 74.5 million iPhones and revenue rose to $74.6 billion from $57.6 billion a year earlier.
In its fiscal first quarter ended 27 December 2014, its profit of $18 billion was the biggest reported by a public company, worldwide, according to S&P analyst Howard Silverblatt.
There are also rumours Apple will release a cheaper iPhone 6C, a successor to 2013's iPhone 5C. The rumours are that the 6C will keep its four-inch display and colourful plastic covering. Kuo predicts this will not happen, and only 4.7- and 5.5-inch models will be released this year.
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