We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
TONIGHT, APPLE WILL unveil the new iPhone range in San Francisco.
Usually, every second year sees Apple release a changed version of the iPhone while the years in-between see an updated version in the form of the S range. This year might not see such a change, instead going for a modified version of last year’s model instead of a major change.
From the rumours that have been circulating in recent weeks and months, we have a good idea of what to expect
If you want to watch the event, you can do so through Apple’s own site. You can only watch it on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV or through Microsoft Edge if you have Windows 10. The event starts at 6pm Irish time.
So what should you expect?
Like the last two years, two different versions will be announced: the regular 4.7-inch iPhone and the larger 5.5-inch iPhone Plus.
How the phone will look will be similar to the iPhone 6s, with some minor changes like the camera, the removal of the headphone jack and the antennas being moved from the back to the side.
It will likely come with 2GB of RAM, a 2.4GHz A10 chip, and a 12MP camera. The Plus version will likely come with 3GB of RAM to complement the 12MP dual-camera it will include. It will also upgrade the screen from LED to OLED, which will result in a sharper display and better colours.
As for the software, iOS 10 will be included as standard while other iPhone and iPad models will receive it later this month. An overview of its main features and its release date will be covered at the event.
A long overdue increase in storage space
For far too long, Apple has kept the minimum storage level of the iPhone to 16GB. While this was fine years ago, things have moved on with videos, photos and complex games taking up significant space. Making it worse was the next storage space amount was 64GB and 128GB which was overkill for many people
The latest rumours suggest the minimum storage will now be bumped up to 32GB, which has been long overdue. The lack of expandable storage and the minimum storage options for iCloud means it will be a welcome addition for many users.
A larger iPhone brings dual-lens camera
Every new smartphone release brings the usual upgrades that make the camera better. This update is no exception with a particular emphasis being placed on improving low-light photography.
What might appear on the larger Plus version will be a dual-lens camera. Two 12MP cameras will allow for users to zoom in on subjects without compromising on image quality.
The regular iPhone will only come with the one 12MP camera.
Water-resistance will be a thing now
Apple never really mentioned water resistance or waterproofing before – you can assume most modern phones can survive a splash of water at the very least – but considering how many other devices apply water-resistance, the iPhone will be following suit.
The next iPhone is said to come with IPX7, the same standard the Apple Watch uses, meaning if you’re using it in the rain, or in the shower, it will be fine. It doesn’t mean it will survive a prolonged stay in water though so you will still need to avoid dropping it into the bath or sink.
And there could be some disappearing acts
The rumours of the headphone jack being removed from the latest iPhone have been doing the rounds since January – it’s likely the new iPhone will come with wireless earbuds – but the more interesting rumour is it could be ditching the physical home button.
Instead of a home button that can be pressed down, it would borrow a concept from its MacBook, specifically from its Force Touch trackpad. Instead of physically clicking it, it will simulate the feeling of a click with haptic feedback.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
An Apple a day, makes a few people very, very wealthy. In saying that, I love my iPhone.
Tax free too I hear!
Removal of the aux jack has to be one of the most moronic design decisions I’ve ever seen.
If you had your way we’d still be using cassettes,wireless is the way to go no need for a clumsy cable attached to the phone
There’s no need for a clumsy cable but seeing as they’re not quite obsolete yet it’s nice to have the option.
I wish that I could use cassettes on my IPhone 3!
You will have the option… The packaging will include a little cable to attach your legacy earphones to the Lightning port.
The removal of the headphone jack will make room in the very tight space within the handset for other technology.
People said the same thing when the iPhone first released with pretty much only one button.
Goodbye charging my phone and listening to music simultaneously.
I wouldn’t mind if Tim Cook was to announce ApplePay being rolled out to Ireland. It’s already in the UK for the past year or so, and seeing as they rely on Mastercard and Visa and both card-services companies see UK&I as a single territory, it shouldn’t be difficult to push it out here.
The announcement of an Apple Store (apparently they’re to be called just “Apple”, dropping the “Store” bit) in Dublin or Cork would be nice.
Apple-Pay still isn’t in Ireland?! I use it the whole time in the U.K.
Nope, still not here. Contactless payments are commonplace, just not from mobiles.
You can actually top-up your Leapcard (like the OysterCard) using NFC on Android too, just not on Apple devices.
That’s to do with Apple not letting devs use NFC
No it’s not, it’s because they haven’t battered out the agreements with the Irish Banks. I believe only France are euro-zone Apple Pay ready.
No apple store anytime soon in ireland , compu b has a contract in place for a few years yet that has a clause that there will be no apple stores unless they pay a significant break fee
I think part of the reason Apple pay isn’t in Ireland I’d they can’t get a vendor to operate it here
Ireland still doesn’t have enough NFC payment terminals to make it worth rolling out. It’s fine in city centres but outside of that we’re still too small a market to make the rollout worthwhile. It’s the same reason Samsung Pay and Android Pay have no intentions of rolling out here. We’ll get it eventually but we’ll be one of the last in Europe.
iPhone, therefore I am.
#Android4Ever
There’s always one
When Samsung’s software team get it together I’ll do the aul switcheroo
Just flash it with a custom ROM. Samsung’s own is designed for obsolescence and is generally bloated and buggy.
The lives of very many will now have meaning. The wealth of a very few will be greatly, greatly enriched.
You will pay VAT on the device and, unless it is provided by your employer, you will pay for this device out of after tax net income.
You will find that the phone is already obsolete in that Apple, as with other manufacturers, has more and more improved technology already refined and ready but withheld for the next and following iPhones.
Enjoy.
Someone got out of the wrong side of the beef this morning. Don’t begrudge others for wanting something.
I would say that at least 50% of iPhones end their lives in the toilet. Imagine the profit loss if they made them toilet proof!
Jackie what do you be doing with your phone in the toilet?
I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong but the number of times I hear that phones fall out of back pockets, get dropped, are thrown by small kids into the loo. 3 have ended this way in our family alone. Thank goodness for phone insurance!
The screen won’t be OLED, not until next year. I guarantee you that. Change the article now if you want.
True. OLED screen is coming next year along with an edge to edge screen without any bezels at the top and bottom of the device. Also it will return to a glass casing instead of aluminium.
Just saying Big Sony night planned.
Here’s a new idea. How about a new phone that is twice as thick and can run for three days from a charge due to the extra battery space. If one manufacturer launched the same model with thick and thin models I think I know which one would sell better. They have conditioned the market to accept charging every day or even twice or the times a day.
It wouldn’t just be thick but also very heavy. That won’t wash with anyone.
the important thing to remember when buying an iphone is…
that you’re wasting your fookin’ money!
We will see a phone that looks like the previous generation with no headphone jack however for an extra few euro apple will sell you an adaptor ! Can’t wait
Great products, not so great people. What are the ever going to do with all that cash stashed away out of the US taxman’s hands? Buy Micorosoft and put it out of its misery? Seriously, there is now so much competition in China and elsewhere with good, low cost phones that Apple has no growth markets left. Lots of people keeping their 4′s and 5′s longer than Tim would like….
So is iOS 10 for I phone 6 software available tonight ?
Hardly. It’ll probably arrive when the first iPhone 7 hits the shelves.
have your say