iPhone 6s

Next iPhone could be even thinner and lighter thanks to smaller LED backlighting chips

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 26, 2015

In its never-ending quest of engineering ever thinner and lighter devices, Apple is said to use smaller LED backlighting chips that could, at least theoretically, make the next iPhone(s)—you guessed right— smaller and lighter.

Citing a TrendForce report, DigiTimes said Tuesday that next-generation ‘iPhone 6s’ and ‘iPhone 6s Plus’ will adopt smaller LED chips for the display's backlight unit. The new chips reportedly measure three mm wide, 0.85mm tall and 0.4mm deep versus the 3.0mm x 0.85mm x 0.6mm chips used in the present-generation iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices.

Sony to supply 12MP camera for iPhone 6s with RGBW subpixels for better low-light photography

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Japanese consumer electronics giant Sony is a longtime supplier of best-in-class mobile cameras for iPhones and iPads. That said, it's hardly a surprise that the company is now rumored to retain its role as a sole supplier of CMOS sensor for the next iPhone's back-facing iSight camera, according to fresh news reports published in the Japanese media.

While the current-generation iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus feature Sony's eight-megapixel Exmor RS ISX014 sensor out the back with 1.5 Focus Pixel technology, the next iPhones are understood to incorporate a higher-resolution twelve-megapixel Sony module with RGBW subpixel technology that should improve the handsets' photography performance in low-light conditions.

KGI claims Apple will unveil new iPhones in August before making them available for sale in September

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 2, 2017

Apple usually launches new iPhones in September (and iPads in October), but this time around the company could bring the 'iPhone 6s' and 'iPhone 6s Plus' to market a bit earlier, if a new analysis by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is an indication.

In a note to clients, a copy of which was obtained by The China Post, Kuo writes that Apple will announce the new handsets in August before making them available for sale in September, the time frame that suggests the possibility of pre-orders in late August.

Analyst “confirms” 12MP camera with smaller pixels for the next iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 30, 2016

Apple's forthcoming iPhone refresh — presumably an ‘iPhone 6s’ and ‘iPhone 6s Plus’ — is set for a major upgrade in the camera department as Apple has reportedly relented and decided to join the megapixel race with a twelve-megapixel iSight camera on the back of the new phone(s).

But the megapixels don't tell the whole story.

According to Kevin Wang, IHS's Technology Research Director for China, the pixel size will be smaller, raising questions about the camera' performance in low-light conditions.

KGI on next iPhone: 2GB RAM, 12MP camera, Force Touch, rose gold, no new 4-inch model

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 12, 2015

Revered KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo arguably has the most prescient track record in forecasting Apple's plans. In a note issued to clients Tuesday, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo makes a number of predictions regarding the next iPhone refresh, many of which have already been rumored, but some never heard before.

He is expecting ‘iPhone 6s’ and ‘iPhone 6s Plus’ handsets to be powered by Apple's next-generation A9 processor with 2GB of RAM, twice as much as the current iPhone lineup. The RAM will be of a speedier LPDDR4 variety versus the LPDDR3 RAM in current iPhones. More RAM coupled with a faster, more power efficient processor, should result in smoother performance and better multitasking.

The camera is likely to receive a pixel upgrade and should be twelve megapixels while Force Touch pressure sensitive screen will be “the biggest upgraded selling point”.

Apple testing two Force Touch pressure sensing designs for iPhone 6s

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 16, 2015

Apple is reportedly testing two different designs for incorporating Force Touch pressure sensing into the screen of the next iPhone, according to a supply chain report Thursday published by DigiTimes, a hit-and-miss Taiwanese trade publication.

In considering how to best add the Apple Watch-style Force Touch technology to the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, which should debut this fall, the Cupertino firm could either place the pressure sensor underneath the touch panel backlighting layer or between the outermost protective screen cover and the in-cell touch panel.

Samsung reportedly chosen by Apple to make chips for next iPhone

Jake Smith ∙ Updated September 17, 2017

Bloomberg reports Samsung has been chosen by Apple to make chips for the next iPhone, taking the business from Taiwan Semiconductor.

Samsung has reclaimed its spot as Apple's supplier. TSMC made the chips for the iPhone 6, however before that, Samsung's chips were king for iPhones.

Rumor: TSMC building iPhone 6s chips, $400-$500 iPhone 6c to become new entry-level model

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 26, 2015

TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, is expected to remain the major supplier of Apple's in-house designed processors for the upcoming iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

In addition, the world's largest independent semiconductor foundry is said to supply 20-nanomenter chips for an upcoming iPhone 6c model, expected to arrive as Apple's new entry-level iPhone with a price tag between $400 and $500.

An Apple-designed system-on-a-chip for the next-generation iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models should be called the 'A9' and will be built on TSMC's 16-nanometer FinFET process technology, industry sources told DigiTimes.

Apple rumored to launch four-inch iPhone 6c this year, in addition to iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 26, 2015

In addition to this year's S-upgrade to the iPhone in the form of an ‘iPhone 6s’ and ‘iPhone 6s Plus’, Apple is also expected to release a third iPhone model, a four-inch ‘iPhone 6c’, according to a sketchy rumor last night by DigiTimes, a Taiwan-based trade publication.

Citing industry sources, the hit-and-miss publication claims the three devices will release in the second half of 2015.

WSJ: Next iPhone to get Force Touch, distinguishing between light and deep taps

Jake Smith ∙ March 10, 2015

The Wall Street Journal reports on Tuesday that Apple will include Force Touch technology on its next line of iPhones, being able to distinguish between a light tap and deep press, like on the upcoming MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Apple Watch.

Furthermore, the publication reports Apple may include a pink option of the next iPhone, believed to be called the "iPhone 6s", that will keep the same design of the current iPhone 6.

Rumor: iPhone 6s has 2GB RAM and Apple SIM

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 4, 2015

Apple's upcoming S-refresh to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus apparently includes two gigabytes of random-access memory (RAM), a feature long expected by Apple fans who have been eyeing top-end Android handsets with 3GB of RAM with envy. More RAM = better multitasking = longer battery life.

Furthermore, the phone ship with the Apple SIM which debuted alongside the iPad Air 2, as reported by AppleInsider quoting “a person familiar with Apple's future product plans” who in the past has provided “reliable info.”

Apple reportedly planning Force Touch for 2015 ‘iPhone 6s’ lineup

Jake Smith ∙ February 28, 2015

The 2015 line of iPhones that are expected to launch this fall will feature the Force Touch input that is found on the Apple Watch, according to AppleInsider.

The Apple rumor publication, citing its own sources, says the next-generation handsets are internally codenamed "N71" for the 4.7-inch model and "N66" for the 5.5-inch version. They're said to keep the "iPhone 6s" naming convention like the iPhone 5s, and like with every "S" model release, will retain the same design as the previous version.