According to a new report from Fast Company, Apple’s next iPhone will likely feature a thinner, waterproof body and other significant changes. Citing a source with knowledge of the company’s plans, the outlet says the iPhone 7 will also feature wireless charging and special noise-canceling technology.
Additionally, Fast Company says the handset will ship without a 3.5mm headphone jack—something that has popped up in multiple iPhone 7 rumors. The move will allow Apple to make the device thinner, but will force users to switch to wireless or Lightning-enabled headphones.
Some media reports have suggested that Apple will include a set of Lightning-connected EarPod earphones in the box with the iPhone 7. It’s more likely, our source says, that Apple will sell a more expensive pair of noise-canceling, Lightning-connected, earphones or headphones separately—possibly under its Beats brand.
Wireless charging will reportedly also make its debut on the iPhone 7, after years of the technology being available on other platforms. According to the report, Apple tried it out in two previous versions of the iPhone, but it didn’t pan out. Unfortunately, it’s not known if Apple plans on utilizing a proprietary technology to harness wireless charging for its iPhone 7, or if Apple will use a broader standard which would allow folks to use already-owned wireless charging devices if they have them.
Note that we are still several months away from iPhone 7 production, and the Fast Company author has a mixed track record in Apple intel, so take the above details with the usual pinch of salt. That being said, nothing laid out here seems far-fetched or beyond the realm of possibility.
