Your next iPhone screen will be fairly indestructible
Dropping a case-less device has been the worry of iPhone users since its
introduction almost ten years ago.
But cracked screens and broken hearts could be a thing of the past, with
Corning, the makers of Gorilla Glass, revealing they are set to launch their
fifth instalment of the chemically-strengthened product.
Gorilla Glass 5, the new super glass, has been formulated to improve drop
performance from gadgets seeing a free-fall from between waist and shoulder
height.
The new glass was also tested on rough surfaces, with a demonstration for
journalists showing dummy phones being dropped from a height of 1.6m on to a
sheet of sandpaper.
The next time you suffer and impromptu slip when grabbing that selfie, there's
an 80% chance the phone will survive from the same height.
According to the makers, Gorilla Glass 5 is four times as resilient as previous
designs. It's expected to show up on handsets such as Apple's next iPhone later
this year.
It's not just drops, though, as Corning also said its product is twice as good
at resisting scratches and other damage compared to other competitors currently
on the market.
So there you have it. We're apparently one step closer to indestructible phones.
Is this when the new iPhone will launch?
Leaks and rumours have remained consistent in the run-up to Apple's launch of
the next iPhone
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/feature/a670501/iphone-7-release-date-rumours-news-specs-price-and-everything-you-need-to-know/>
, with a fresh photo
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/news/a801839/iphone-7-leak-third-different-version-plus-pro-options/>
or video
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/news/a801637/iphone-7-apple-first-video-leak/>
'reveal' seemingly arriving on the web each day.
According to one reliable leaker, though, we now have a date for when the
device will be available to buy.
A tweet from Evan Blass indicated that the Cupertino company will release the
phone in the week commencing September 12.
After the post initially caused some confusion over whether this meant the
handset would be announced or ready to buy, Blass confirmed the phone would be
available on Friday, September 16.
One important thing to note from the tweets is that Blass doesn't refer to the
device as the 'iPhone 7'. While this could simply be following the consensus
that the phone will be another ’S’ update to the iPhone 6
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/review/a598452/apple-iphone-6-review-you-guessed-it-the-best-phone-on-sale-today/>
, it potentially says a great deal about the accuracy of the lack of
innovation
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/news/a798708/iphone-7-apple-bog-standard-upgrade/>
rumours.
If the leaked release date is to be believed, it's also fair to assume that
Apple supremo Tim Cook and his pals will be on stage to introduce the next
iPhone a week or so earlier.
Until then, you'll just have to rein in your excitement and enjoy the leaks.
Latest iPhone 7 reveal shows off dual-camera
It's not just your imagination, the amount of iPhone
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/feature/a670501/iphone-7-release-date-rumours-news-specs-price-and-everything-you-need-to-know/>
leaks is getting pretty out of hand.
The purported images and videos have stayed extremely consistent throughout
this pre-launch period, with redesigned antenna lines and the removal of a
headphone jack
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/news/a786526/iphone-7-case-leak-appears-to-confirm-the-headphone-jack-is-no-more/>
seeming to be among the most notable upcoming changes
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/news/a798708/iphone-7-apple-bog-standard-upgrade/>
.
There's also the redesigned cameras on both the standard iPhone 7 and Plus/Pro
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/news/a801839/iphone-7-leak-third-different-version-plus-pro-options/>
model, though, which is the focus of the most recent leak.
Weibo Website, appears to show off all four colours
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/news/a801319/fresh-leak-hints-at-next-iphone-colours/>
- a gold, silver and space grey Plus and a normal rose gold model - and some
potentially interesting details about the cameras.
As has been seen in many reports beforehand, the standard iPhone 7 model will
feature a larger and protruding bump for the camera. Meanwhile, the higher end
model seemingly offers a dual camera set-up.
As always, it's impossible to know just how genuine these rumours are. One
thing to note, though, is the depth of the flash function - particularly on the
standard iPhone 7 model shown in the image. This is noticeably different to
current models.
All will be revealed by Apple in its next event in September, but you can
expect a mountain of leaks and rumours heading your way before then.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S: What are the differences, is it worth upgrading & which
is best for me?
Because in the battle of new & old, new isn't always the right choice.
The hype is building, the rumour mill is into third gear and the wait is almost
over: the whiff of the iPhone 7 release date
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/feature/a670501/iphone-7-release-date-rumours-news-specs-price-and-everything-you-need-to-know/>
is in our nostrils. So if you're thinking of snapping up a shiny new iPhone
ahead of the inevitable September launch... STOP! Hold your horses - until
you've read this and the new device has dropped, at least.
Just because Apple has a fancy new phone in the works doesn't necessarily mean
it's the right one for you. And with more than £500 of your own cash at stake,
you'd feel a bit foolish jumping the gun, and dropping the dosh only to be left
envious of your mate's new pocket blower a couple of weeks later.
Time to don a snorkel and dive into the murky world of iPhone leaks and
rumours, and together we can try to emerge on the right side of the iPhone 7 vs
iPhone 6S ocean, smelling like roses.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S design: The similarities & the differences
Those holding out for a radical redesign might want to adjust their
expectations: according to many, many leaks, the iPhone 7 is shaping up as only
a minor design update on last year's model. While this is sure to disappoint
many - after all, why buy a new phone when your mates won't notice? - it's not
actually that big a hardship really.
Yes, the iPhone 6S
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/review/a669753/iphone-6s-review-apples-3d-touch-screen-and-camera-improvements-make-the-best-better/>
might have already replicated the design of the 2014-released iPhone 6
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/review/a598452/apple-iphone-6-review-you-guessed-it-the-best-phone-on-sale-today/>
, but so what? It's still one of the best looking smartphones available today.
If the iPhone 7 echoes this, you'll be in possession of one of the most
attractive devices doing the rounds.
There will thankfully be a few design differences, though. First the good:
those slightly unsightly antenna lines on the rear of the 6S look like they'll
be given the shove, while the existing gold, silver, grey and rose gold (pink)
colour schemes could be enhanced by the return of a true black device.
Now the potentially bad: for some reason, Apple appears set to kill off the
traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. This means unless you've got a pair of
Bluetooth cans (already an audio trade-off), or are happy to make do with
whatever the big-A decides to package in with the handset (be it new earpods or
an adaptor of some sort), you're going to have to invest in a costly pair of
Lightning connector-friendly headphones.
Why would Apple do this? It's reportedly all in aid of making the phone thinner
(because 7.1mm is apparently not skinny enough for some of you) and making
space for a second bottom-facing speaker. If accurate, this audio port overhaul
is going to cause as much uproar as the lack of a complete design refresh and
might poke you back into the arms of the iPhone 6S.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S screen: The old & the new
While we're prepared for a safe handset design, screen quality is an area where
Apple can't afford not to improve, so fingers crossed we're in line for big
changes.
At present, the iPhone 6S features a 4.7-inch Retina display with a 1334 x 750
pixel resolution. While this might sound quite high, it's fairly low compared
with the 2560 x 1440 pixel QHD panels found on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy
S7
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/review/a784224/samsung-galaxy-s7-review-an-unrivalled-camera-and-splash-happy-skills-make-this-the-ultimate-iphone-killer/>
and HTC 10
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/review/a790342/htc-10-review-an-iphone-rival-thats-almost-the-perfect-10/>
.
Although Apple is likely to up its visual game with the iPhone 7, don't expect
it to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the S7 anytime soon, as that's not its
game. It's far from essential, though, as there's more to good image quality
that just pixel count, and when it comes to contrast levels, accurate colour
representation and speedy refresh rates, the iPhone is typically without rival.
Fortunately, the latest leaks have suggested the iPhone 7 screen will make just
the right amount of improvements. While retaining its 4.7-inch form, there's
the 5.5-inch iPhone 6S Plus
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/review/a669680/iphone-6s-plus-review-apples-super-scaled-smartphone-brings-size-and-battery-life-to-the-mobile-party/>
if you like bigger handsets, and the new device is expected to jump to a
1080p Full HD panel, which could be reason enough to upgrade alone.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S features & performance: More power inbound
When it comes to power, Apple might not play the same specs race game as the
leading Android contingent, but it doesn't need to. With every iPhone running
the same software without fluffy skins, it can ensure it's more power efficient
- but that doesn't mean a power boost won't be in store, though.
Apple's existing 1.84GHz dual-core A9 chip is expected to get an incremental
power boost, while further reports have suggested the iPhone 6S's 2GB of RAM
could be on the up, too. Do you really need that though when the 6S is already
powerful enough? Difficult call.
More important than all that raw power, though, is that the iPhone 7 looks set
to offer a major improvement that users have been calling out for for years:
increased storage. Although Samsung-esque expandable storage just ain't gonna
happen (dream on, dreamer), leaks have suggested the entry-level iPhone will
jump from the 16GB currently adopted by the iPhone 6S, to a much more appealing
32GB.
Yes, 64GB and even 128GB models are already available, but at a massive
premium, and the entry-level 16GB device is just too restrictive for many
users. According to claimed "insiders" (love you guys), however, the new 32GB
base level iPhone 7 will set a new minimum standard and be joined by 128GB and
a new 256GB model for seriously heavy users. Again, that's a good enough reason
to wait until September before upgrading if true.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S camera: Small changes to make a big difference
The iPhone 6S's 12-megapixel primary camera is one of the best on any existing
smartphone. It's widely expected that Apple will give it a bit of an update,
though, patching up its weak points.
Although expected to remain a 12-megapixel offering, a larger sensor has been
tipped to be brought in to boost the phone's after-dark photo skills. Although
the iPhone 6S won't disappoint on the snapping front, this could be the change
that takes Apple to new levels.
There's been much talk about the possible introduction of a new dual-lens
snapper, too, but this doesn't appear to be heading to the standard iPhone 7.
Instead, the double-trouble packing camera could be exclusive to the iPhone 7
Plus, or possibly even an all-new third handset iteration: the iPhone 7 Pro. Oh
go on, then...
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S software: Nothing to separate the two
Unlike Android updates which take an age to filter out between the hundreds of
devices doing the rounds, Apple's iOS upgrades are a much cleaner, swifter
affair. As such, on the software front, there's likely to be very little that
will separate the two handsets.
Sure, the iPhone 7 will run the new iOS 10 update direct from the box whereas
iPhone 6S owners will have to download it manually - hardly the most strenuous
of tasks - but once installed it should create a level playing field.
None of the already confirmed iOS 10 features
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/feature/a797679/10-ios-10-features-that-will-completely-update-your-iphone-from/>
- we're talking improved Siri functionality, smarter Photos tagging and
search, and the ability to sniff out and warn you about potential spam calls -
should be limited to one device. What's more, with the iPhone 6S on the iOS 10
compatibility
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/feature/a797747/ios-10-compatibility-will-your-iphone-and-ipad-support-the-new-ios-10-update/>
list, there's no excuses for this not to be an even race.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S battery: Staying power on the up
The iPhone 6S's battery life is decent without being groundbreaking and,
according to latest tipsters, the iPhone 7 could be on the receiving end of a
bit of a staying-power boost. Those hopes of a phone that will last weeks not
days are still misplaced, though - expect an extra hour or two's life from a
single charge.
Is it the biggest update set to be bestowed on Apple's next-gen blower? No, but
it's nothing to be sniffed at either. That extra hour could be the difference
between enjoying a bit of a Facebook sesh on your way home after a night out.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S: The summary
With the iPhone 7 still largely living in the land of make-believe, despite the
seemingly endless leaks keeping us in the ball park of reality, it's obviously
too early to pass judgement on whether the iPhone 7 or iPhone 6S would be best
suited to your needs. There's enough evidence, however, to suggest that if
you're eyeing up an upgrade, it's worth holding off for another seven weeks or
so.
Apple is a creature of habit and so an iPhone 7 unveiling during the first week
or two of September is all but guaranteed. If you're able to wait before
jumping on a new handset, we'd recommend it. The worst that can happen is you
wait and end up deciding that the iPhone 6S is still better suited, but you'll
get the year-old handset on the cheap as Apple and the endless resellers look
to clear their 6S stocks.
Is it safe to charge your phone overnight? Here's what actually happens if you
leave your handset plugged in
(Myth)bustin' makes us feel good.
Just like getting square eyes from watching too much TV or a melty brain from
standing too close to a working microwave, we've repeatedly been told that
leaving our phone to charge overnight is a big no-no. But is it actually
dangerous?
While some say it's a major fire hazard and others that it will cause your
phone's battery to degrade as you constantly try to push it past its limit,
there's actually no need to worry.
Instead, stop underestimating your handset. These are smartphones after all.
Most modern handsets are wise enough to know when their battery is full,
cutting off incoming charge when the battery hits that 100% charge target.
Although it will stop taking charge when full, it will occasionally drip feed
in a bit of power to maintain this maximum capacity.
While leaving your phone connected to the mains won't cause it to spontaneously
combust or your battery to turn to liquid jelly, there are a few things you're
still going to want to avoid.
Overheating, not unsupervised connections, is the real troublemaker when it
comes to letting your phone's battery live a long and supportive life.
As such, you're going to want to do everything you can to ensure your phone is
able to regulate its heat as well as possible. That means taking it out of any
protective case you keep it in while it charges and making sure it's placed on
a flat, hard surface.
Nestle it in a deep, plush carpet, or prop it up on a spare pillow while it
charges and you're only going to cause it to get all hot and bothered, and
neither you nor its battery want that. Still, that's better than waking up at
2am to unplug it, right?
iOS 10 will tell you when your phone's Lightning port is too wet
Does it also confirm no waterproof iPhone 7?
While Samsung
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/feature/a784828/samsung-galaxy-s8-release-date-rumours-specs-news-price-and-everything-you-need-to-know/>
and many other smartphone brands will give you a reprieve if you happen to
drop your phone in your Jacuzzi or indoor swimming pool, Apple has yet to bring
the feature to its iPhone.
With its upcoming iOS 10
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/feature/a794812/ios-10-update-download-release-date-beta-features-compatible-devices-and-everything-you-need-to-know/>
, though, you'll at least be notified when the handset's Lightning port is
getting too wet. In theory, this should allow you to pull it out of the sink
before any irreparable damage is done.
The feature was discovered in the phone's most recent beta, with it seemingly
compatible with the newer iPhones
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/feature/a670501/iphone-7-release-date-rumours-news-specs-price-and-everything-you-need-to-know/>
like the 6s, 6s Plus
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/review/a669753/iphone-6s-review-apples-3d-touch-screen-and-camera-improvements-make-the-best-better/>
and SE
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/review/a788707/iphone-se-review/> .
While unconfirmed, the inclusion of this warning could also point to the next
iPhone instalment not featuring waterproof technology, as there would be no
need to bring it to the latest iOS if the newest phone solved the problem. And
usually, previous models aren't prioritised in software updates.
Leaks and rumours
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/news/a801637/iphone-7-apple-first-video-leak/>
have also yet to link the iPhone 7 with water resistance, and the Lightning
port is expected to become even more essential with the removal of a headphone
jack
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/news/a801233/are-these-the-next-iphone-earpods/>
.
It's all speculative at this stage, but the changes to iOS, will seemingly
offer a fresh take on the iPhone even if the handset itself appears to be a
dull upgrade
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/smartphones/news/a798708/iphone-7-apple-bog-standard-upgrade/>
.
What happens if you don’t set your phone to flight safe mode on a plane?
We've all been told before to put our phones and other devices into flight safe
mode while on aeroplanes.
But what's the worse that can happen? Can phone interference really cause a
potential tragedy 30,000 feet in the sky?
According to a study cited by the Daily Mail
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3527966/What-happens-don-t-switch-phone-aeroplane-mode-flight.html>
, the results of not using safe mode are likely more of an annoying nature to
the flight crew than a threat. The biggest side-effect is that pilots can
experience feedback in their communications system – likely to make your
captain at least a little testy.
While the study cited pilots claiming they only sporadically hear the buzzing
on flights, once is more than enough.
So, don't be a smart aleck. Put your device in flight mode, okay?
