Apple set to finally ditch 16 GB model for iPhone 7 

A leaked image shows the upgraded camera on Apple's upcoming iPhone 7
A leaked image shows the upgraded camera on Apple's upcoming iPhone 7 Credit: Weibo

Apple will finally drop the 16 GB iPhone in the upcoming iPhone 7, ending claims that it is selling phones with insufficient capacity but potentially raising the price in the process, according to numerous reports. 

Confirmed by the Wall Street Journal, the size upgrade was first leaked by Kevin Wang, an IHS technology analyst who claims links in Apple’s supply chain. Wang said the new phone, expected to be released in September, would come with 32 GB as its minimum storage. 

The company has launched its flagship models with a minimum of 16 GB storage since 2011’s iPhone 4s, although a later version of the phone and the iPhone 5c both had 8 GB options. But as apps, photos and videos get bigger, many people have complained that the 16 GB capacity is not enough.

Apple does offer iPhones with 64 GB and 128 GB capacities, but the entry-level option is significantly cheaper, making it a popular choice. The current crop of iPhones feature vastly improved cameras and shoot 4K video, making it easy to fill up storage.

The iPhone 7 is set to be a relatively minor upgrade on the 6s, looking largely the same, although leaked images suggest the camera is set for a major upgrade, at least on the bigger “Plus” model.

Apple has also been rumoured to be getting rid of the headphone jack, encouraging owners to use headphones connected to the charging port.

The company is expected to save any major changes until next year’s iPhone, possibly called the iPhone 8, which will feature an all-glass body and possibly wireless charging.

The iPhone 7 approaches its release as Apple struggles with an unprecedented decline in iPhone sales. In April, Apple said revenue had fallen for the first time in 13 years, while quarterly iPhone sales fell from 61 million to 51 million. The company is forecasting another fall in the current quarter.

Wang, writing on Chinese social media, also claimed that the iPhone’s RAM will remain at 2GB, 9to5Mac reported.

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