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iPhone 7 said to have slightly larger earpiece & relocated ambient light sensor

Earlier this week it was reported that Apple would be including standard 3.5mm EarPods plus an adapter with the iPhone 7, and now a few more minor details have emerged regarding the device. According to Macotakara, the iPhone 7 will feature a slightly larger earpiece, while the ambient light switcher will also be relocated.

The report cites various manufacturers and vendors of screen protectors who have stopped receiving orders due to the changes. The ambient light sensor will apparently now be located on the right side of the earpiece. Currently the sensor is located on the left side of the earpiece.

Additionally, Apple is said to be updating the proximity sensor to a “dual specification” that the company hopes will be more accurate. It’s not entirely clear what the report means by dual specification, but presumably the omitter and receiver will be broken into two.

While these changes are certainly minor in the grand scheme of things, they do mean that a variety of accessories will have to be slightly redesigned to accommodate. For instance, most full frontal screen protectors will have to be redesigned to properly line up with the slightly larger earpiece and relocated ambient light sensor, while some cases will also have to be changed.

Overall, the iPhone 7 is expected to be largely similar to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s in terms of design, as reported again earlier this week by the Wall Street Journal. That report said that any design changes found on the iPhone 7 would be “subtle” and that the major changes will come with the 2017 iPhone, which is expected to feature a glass design.

Of course, the device is expected to drop the 3.5mm headphone jack. Additionally, the iPhone 7 Plus is said to feature a dual-camera setup on the back, while the camera sensor will be larger on the 4.7-inch model.

You can read everything that we know about the iPhone 7 in our full roundup. Apple is expected to officially unveil the oft-rumored device later this year, alongside the public releases of macOS, iOS 10, watchOS 3, and tvOS 10, as well as perhaps all-new MacBooks with an OLED touch bar.

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Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com