Apple to Move to a 3 Year iPhone Refresh Cycle [Report]

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Posted May 31, 2016 at 1:54pm by iClarified

Apple is likely moving to a three year refresh cycle for its iPhone, a year longer than typical, reports Nikkei. This falls in line with rumors that Apple's next iPhone will look similar to the iPhone 6s with an improved camera, simplified antenna bands, no headphone jack, and a faster processor.

The move is likely to affect suppliers in Japan, Taiwan, and other parts of Asian that rely on the iPhone for much of their revenue.

The new version slated for this autumn will look almost identical to the current iPhone 6. Functions such as the camera, water resistance and battery capacity will likely be improved, and the headphone jack will be removed. Also, a high-end version of the model will give users better-quality photo capabilities via correction functions.

Sales of the iPhone this are expected to fall below last years sales of 230 million units; however, as rumored 2017 could bring a major update to the smartphone coinciding with the 10th anniversary of its launch.

The 2017 model will likely involve major enhancements and design changes, including adoption of an organic electroluminescent display. The new device will also be able to create more complex tactile vibrations on the display because of a tiny, but high-performance motor equipped inside.

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Read More [via PCWorld]

Apple to Move to a 3 Year iPhone Refresh Cycle [Report]

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Paklan - June 4, 2016 at 2:34am

iPhone will be another Blackberry if they still with their arrogance style.

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gamerscul9870 - June 4, 2016 at 4:21am

1. If apple were to be the new blackberry, there would have to be another company to make a phone that's revolutionary as if they were repeating the 2007 event to begin with, but if that were to happen and if apple stocked to the way they were, this would be the case. 2. what arrogance? Apple is still appealing to people that still like the new iPhones and the sales are still going up even if the numbers sold in between two different phones released has decreased (I don't want to go into too much detail on that). People did like the camera updates they tried to bring to it and I also love it. 3. Just wait until the iPhone 7 will come. The CEO said there will be long waited features and judging how Apple Pay took mobile wallet the next step, I think these features will do so to. Never mind the fact that it's not an s model.

Ynona - June 1, 2016 at 5:24pm

If Apple does this they will put yet another nail in their coffin. As an Apple user I've watched the other companies catch up with and pass Apple with their technology. They've gone from great to just good. I've only hung on because of their eco system and refuse the android platform but Apple is continually getting more careless with their updates and if they continue down this path they will loose more of their dedicated customers who used to upgrade regularly. If they change their cycle to 3 years this will be an even greater opportunity for other companies to further their technology gain. Go ahead Apple, become another part of history like Atari did or smarten up, become innovative again and be the company you once were.

gamerscul9870 - June 1, 2016 at 5:33pm

1. Another nail in the coffin? What in the name of God are you talking about. The iPhone is still doing okay than most companies out there, the iPad is easily beating the competition if you haven't noticed, and the Mac family is doing well as usual and of course, the OS themselves are still getting better. 2. Careless? Do you not know how many new features in s models continue to come and what companies continue to copy apple with what they originally made just for others to steal? 3. Apple is still the company they were. They're still the top global brand, they still have posetive reviews on recent released products, and they're still alive as if no one is replacing them, but switching to a 3 year cycle won't do much harm. This may give Apple more time to make the iPhone and change some things in case of new technology in order to make waiting for a new iPhone pay off even more. I'm an Apple user and I only have so much time in the world to save up slowly for a new iPhone. I wouldn't mind this change for the cycle.

clown - June 1, 2016 at 6:10am

Ultimately the phones are somewhat faster, take a picture a little better. The fact is most people just make phone calls on them , play some music, Or search the web. They've nearly identical .

clown - June 1, 2016 at 6:06am

The adding of the home button to actual screen is dumb . Force touch will eventually wear down the components of the screen itself. And that has been stated. This would also likely cause you to have to replace the entire screen, and cost substantial more then the outside the screen to fix. The sales are down on some phones, their no more substantial subsidies on phones anymore for the most post.. The fact they offered the subsidies is why they could sell so many phones. Their are occasional sales , with a gift card and new service. Who knows how thats works. $200 gift card could really only cost them $100 bucks because the gift cards only work there.

gamerscul9870 - June 1, 2016 at 6:09am

That's why you can change how much pressure can be necessary to use.

AverageReviewer - May 31, 2016 at 8:52pm

I'm sorry but with ever new report about Apple am I the only one feeling disappointed? Like its bad enough we have to wait 2 years now we have to wait 3? iPhone 7 renders look almost identical to iPhone 6 from 2014. Also with lightning to headphone jack converters surfacing I'm rethinking my yearly investment in Apple, I'll probably end up sticking with iPad and Mac and get a high end android phone.

gamerscul9870 - May 31, 2016 at 10:33pm

The headphone jack being gone makes sense first off because lightning will transmit better audio than headphone jack and also means adding a second speaker, as for the design it's still unknown if it will be like the 6, but hey it will for sure introduce long waited features and the iPhones 10th anniversary next year will make ginormous changes.

quiksilver - May 31, 2016 at 3:04pm

In case you missed it, they already are on a 3 year release cycle...cough cough iPhone SE. So you now you have the iPhone, the S, and the SE. And the iPhone 6 SE will be released a few months after the new body style (iPhone 7) hits to now affect the 7's sales, just like they did this time around. Honestly it makes sense and helps cut down the cost so more people in developing counties can use their hardware.

lcgarza10 - May 31, 2016 at 4:22pm

I know that this is already occurring right now. But I dont agree with the 3 year refresh cycle. Apple has been No. 1 in smartphone sales since the original Iphone and even with 2-years refreshing cycle, then why to change now ? In fact i think is the worst moment to change with the last quarter and next anticipated financial results. I think the cost of changing the manufacture line for the new design worths the profit that gives you the new design and more.

gamerscul9870 - May 31, 2016 at 6:54pm

By 3 year cycle, they mean the time it takes before a new iPhone is introduced no matter what model it is, but this is how android phones do it in terms of when we hear from them again (or at least most of them). I agree though, why change it?