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iPhone 6S: Larger front FaceTime camera, Force Touch parts shown in new photos & video

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A series of new, high-resolution photos we have obtained show new features coming to the next-generation iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. First, comparisons of the front glass indicate that the new devices will sport upgraded front-facing FaceTime cameras with bigger sensors. The white phone in our images is a current iPhone 6, while the black plate is an iPhone 6S component. The presence of larger sensors likely indicates a higher pixel count up from the current 1.2 megapixels, as well as new functionality…

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We reported earlier this week that the new iPhones would include new FaceTime cameras with software-based flash photography functionality for improved selfies and new software modes for slow-motion video capture and panoramas. While not shown in today’s set of photos, the rear camera’s sensor will be 12 megapixels and have the capability to shoot video in full 4K high-definition resolution, up from 8 megapixel stills and 1080p videos in current iPhones. This change to the rear camera will keep the lens protruding from the rear of the device.

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In addition to indicating that the FaceTime camera will gain a larger sensor than the current iPhone 6, our new photos show a magnified look at what is likely to be a screen component to power the new Force Touch integration or Taptic Engine in the new iPhones. Sources told us earlier this year that the new iPhones would include Force Touch with haptic feedback, and we reported more details earlier this month on the feature’s software implementation. On the new iPhones, Force Touch will serve as a technology to shortcut common iOS tasks, rather than solely as a mechanism for adding overlays of options.

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Our photos also show a look at the internal assembly section for the upgraded Touch ID-based Home button, as shown above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcXmmeGEp_U&feature=youtu.be

EverythingApplesPro created the hands-on video shown above with the new iPhone 6S parts for us.

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Above, full-sized photos of the front glass for the new iPhones can be seen. Earlier this year, we published the first photos of the next-generation iPhone’s casing. Earlier this week, we revealed several details about the new phones, including the new camera capabilities, Rose Gold color option, new NFC chips, storage capacities, lack of a sapphire crystal display cover, name change for Force Touch, the lack of a companion 4-inch “iPhone 6C,” and the addition of motion-based wallpapers to animate the iOS 9 interface. Apple will unveil the new devices alongside the next Apple TV on September 9th in San Francisco.

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Comments

  1. c.plush (@hvlchk) - 9 years ago

    That white iPhone in the top shot comparing FaceTime cameras is not an iPhone 6..

  2. Mischa (@mimischap) - 9 years ago

    It would be really cool if the speaker grill could have a flash built in, make the put some LEDs behind it and shine them through

  3. PhilBoogie - 9 years ago

    “So much for doubling down on security¡”

    Seriously though, if FaceTime en ForceTouch are the main points, I’m going to skip the upgrade this year. Those with an older model will be very happy with this years’ version though.

    • rogifan - 9 years ago

      What would make you upgrade?

      • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

        If it doesn’t have:
        7000 series aluminum
        2GB RAM
        A9 chip
        Faster more efficient cellular chip
        Bluetooth 4.2
        Animated wallpapers
        12MP rear camera
        Improved front facing camera
        Selfie screen flash
        4K video recording
        Rose Gold, darker space grey
        Force Touch
        OLED screen

        It’s awful. Haha

      • PhilBoogie - 9 years ago

        For me, the phone is already fast enough, has enough RAM, and the pictures can be pretty awesome. The improvement of TouchID on the 6 over the 5s has fixed the few issues I had with it. The continued larger aperture is great for me, as photography is a hobby of mine, but I don’t feel the need to upgrade every year for it. When they go from 2.8 > 2.4 > 2.2 > 2.0 > 1.8 I don’t need all the intermediate steps. The current 8MP is already enough for me, and since I’m not planning on upgrading my TV and monitor to 4k I don’t have the incentive for 4k.

        But make no mistake, they can always sunrise me, and make me buy it because of that one small thing they upgraded which makes me go: “Oohhh, I so much want that!”

      • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

        @Phil I’m just going to let you know, it doesn’t matter whether you view 4K video on an iPhone 6 resolution display, the video will still look far, far better. Yes, the iPhone can’t display anywhere near 4K video, in full quality, but the video will look blatantly superior. Just go to YouTube and watch some 4K video it looks insanely good, and it’s obviously not full resolution.

    • eldonchew - 9 years ago

      If they truly wanted to double down, they would have done so like the Mac Pro/Apple Watch – announce first and then mass produce.

      I don’t know what more you want as this year’s iPhones are going to be the biggest S upgrade ever.
      A9 chip with 2GB RAM
      Force touch
      Upgraded front and rear camera
      Stronger 7000 Aluminum body
      Improved Touch ID

      • Eric Goodrich - 9 years ago

        Perhaps a bigger battery would be a nice bump.

    • applegetridofsimandjack - 9 years ago

      I agree. To me it’s only a worthy upgrade if it has more ram, Force Touch, faster processor, better front facing camera and better rear camera.
      Otherwise,, i’m skipping.

    • Jim Phong - 9 years ago

      Force Touch is a complete UI revolution. It is going to change how people use iPhone and iPad. And apps developers will be able to create all new ways for games and apps to interact with the user.

  4. robinlmp - 9 years ago

    Most of this article seems to be repeating things that have been reported ‘earlier’. What’s the point?

  5. Inaba-kun (@Inaba_kun) - 9 years ago

    Sad to see Apple pandering to this perverse trend in narcissism. It’s distasteful and one of he more obnoxious changes in behaviour in recent years.

    Personally I’d like to see other changes in the new phone, such as much more RAM, a form factor which isn’t as slippery as a bar of soap, longer battery life, a camera which can take useable pictures in low light, removing the camera bump so the phone can sit flat without wobbling, and sapphire glass.

    • Your ignorance is outspending. Firstly, you say you want more RAM, Apple is adding more RAM in the iPhone 6s. You say you want a longer battery life, Apple is doing that by making parts and the OS more efficient. The low light photography is great on the iPhone, not the best out there, but at least it gives you a more true to life image unlike Samsung devices which will turn the whole photo a yellow tint, just to allow for better low light photos. The camera bump is obviously there because the module is too big to fit flush inside the iPhone. Also, Sapphire glass may make your display more scratch resistant, but believe me, shattering of the glass when dropped would happen a lot more often due to the brittleness of the glass.

      • taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

        Battery life will be the same or reduced since the battery capacity is much less in the 6s and 6 plus. The Taptic screen takes up more space and reduces the battery size.

      • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

        @taoprophet You have absolutely no idea what these phones could have. The battery reduction in capacity was a very unverifiable rumor. To me though, lowered battery capacity, animated wallpapers, and a picture on the screen of the boxes screams a new, much better, and more efficient screen. I believe the ‘S’ stands for screen this year. I don’t think the resolution will change, but I think these screens are completely new, and I think there are numerous reasons to believe so, and only really one reason not to, and that’s that Gurman hasn’t mentioned it,despite his sources having their hands on prototypes. If the screens were new you’d think they would have noticed, but I suppose they wouldn’t have had to have been using the new screens in those prototypes.

        They aren’t reducting battery life, I know that for sure. There’s not a chance in hell Apple would make these new phones have less battery than the old phones. One of the main features they tout about iOS 9 is an hour longer battery life. Rest assured, these will have the same or better battery life through efficiency of parts. In my opinion, they may have reduced battery capacity for multiple reasons, namely, due to a dramatically more efficient screen.

        Boxes with pictures on the screens of the phones is saying something I think. I think it’s marketing to remind customers about the much improved screens. I think the animated wallpapers are another showing off these screens.

      • applegetridofsimandjack - 9 years ago

        Dude battery life is always the same on iPhones and iPads. Whenever Apple gets more battery than the one before, they make the phone thinner until it achieves at least the same battery life as the previous model.

    • taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

      Phones like the new Lumina’s will come with 3 GB of ram in October. I have t had any problems with ram on my 6 plus, but had plenty with my iPad Air and was glad I was on a 12 month AT&T plan. Apple has always gave minimum ram in al of its products and charged premiums for additional ram. I wish the 6s plus would at least come with more ram and more apps took advantage of the additional screen size.

      The 6s will probably have reduced batter life since both batteries have lower capacity then the current gen models. The rounded edges do make this the easiest iPhone to drop. The antenna gaps and bulging camera makes it one of the least appealing looking iPhones. The iPhone 4 was the best looking iPhone. I hope next years model goes back to classic industrial design.

      • Soluble Apps - 9 years ago

        You seem to be confusing system RAM and storage RAM there.

        Apple do not “charge a premium” for additional system RAM (Which is what the Lumina has 3G of)

      • taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

        Apple’s laptops and desktops have always charged a premim for ram. It’s not as bad as it used to be. Power Mac’s and iMac’s were blatant offenders.

      • Soluble Apps - 9 years ago

        My point was that you were confusing the two types of RAM.

        We were talking phones (as were you, with the Lumia), which can’t have their system RAM upgraded (unlike macs), so Apple don’t “charge a premium” for upgrading that sort of RAM, (it is storage RAM they do that with.)

      • robinlmp - 9 years ago

        There aren’t two types of RAM. RAM is RAM. You seem to be thinking of the NAND flash SSD

  6. mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

    As the S models always have the same Hardware design, they shall have a Hype, Innovative feature like the touch ID on 5S which surpassed the sales of 5, that because of the majority of users (non tech savvy) looking for clear difference or big reason to upgrade without doubts.
    In viewing the imminent upgrades to 6s, they’re great like A9 chip, RAM, Camera Front and Rear, Touch ID and Strong body but the limitation again of Force Touch (as was stated here about its functionality) which all of the world is talking about would be a big disappointment.

    • Jim Phong - 9 years ago

      What limitation and nonsense disappointment with Force Touch are you babbling about ?

      • mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

        Maps: look up a point of interest in the Maps application
        Music: user can Force Touch on a listed track to be presented with some of the most commonly-used actions.
        Home apps: deep presses on the Phone app icon, he could choose to shortcut directly to the Voicemail tab.
        Safari: Force Touch a link in Safari to see a preview of that webpage.

        Are there other features up to now?!
        I wish it will do furthermore and more beyond that. The force touch shall add a completely new layer of tapping / pressing for everything, and be different from press and hold.
        “waiting 11D for the official announcement”

    • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

      It may be limited at first, but I can guarantee it will be pivotal on an iPad Plus. It will be used in conjunction with the smart stylus for natural handwriting, drawing, etc. all you have to do is know that Notes in iOS 9 added scribble to know that this is coming in the fall.

  7. elhurakan18 - 9 years ago

    I’ll just stick wirth my note 5. 4gigs of ram, spen, better camera and better screen. Maybe next year apple.

  8. albrip - 9 years ago

    Nice, so the new iPhones will simulate the feeling of the old resistive touch panels. Call it progress ;)