Apple is said to include a Force Touch technology in their upcoming iPhone devices. Various reports seem to back this up as companies such as Avago Tech, and TPK are pointed for supplying Force Touch sensors to Apple. Two iPhone prototypes (N71 and N66) with a Force Touch sensor were also reported in the past. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also echoed it saying that the move is "significant enough for Apple" to skip iPhone 6S. Apple also said, "Force Touch is the most significant new sensing capability since Multi‑Touch." Does this mean that iPhone 7 is imminent this year?
It was previously known that Apple wanted to include the Force Touch technology with their iPhone 6 version, but the company reportedly ran out of time, prompting them to withdraw it from the device lineup. Previous rumors noted that Apple would include a Force Touch sensor in the iPhone 6S, which would be supplied by Avago Tech. This was then echoed by another rumor that two "existing prototypes call for both the new 4.7-inch model (N71) and the 5.5-inch 'iPhone 6S Plus' (N66) to gain Force Touch."
Further, one of Apple's supplier, TPK (a leading touch solution supplier), recently said they will produce Force Touch sensors specifically designed for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6S Plus, but did not mention a Force Touch for an iPhone 6S.
Ming-Chi Kuo recently tipped that Apple would include an FPC-made capacitive Force Touch technology in their next-generation iPhones. The move would be "significant enough for Apple" to skip the iPhone 6S, and release the iPhone 7 instead. Kuo's statement seemed similar to what Apple said about the technology, "Force Touch is the most significant new sensing capability since Multi‑Touch." Does this mean that Apple somewhat confirms the Force Touch as "significant enough" for them to skip the iPhone 6S?
Additionally, he said that Apple was "targeting 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models for its next-generation iPhones," which seem to confirm the two prototypes (N71 and N66) with Force Touch. When it comes to making predictions about Apple's device releases, the analyst is said to have a "respectable track record." He has been known for nailing almost every detail about Apple releases. Examples are his predictions on:
- Apple's launching of the iPhone 5S
- the Apple Watch or iWatch, which he said, "While we are positive on iWatch and believe that the advantages of the design and business model behind it are difficult to copy, we think, given the aforementioned challenges, that the launch could be postponed to 2015."
- 12-inch MacBook Air
Will the iPhone 6S be the iPhone 7? Expert Reviews said, "We really don't think that this is the case. After all, with the iPhone 5S Apple introduced Touch ID and went 64-bit: these huge changes weren't enough for the company to jump straight to iPhone 6, and Force Touch isn't even in that league. We firmly believe that Force Touch will make an appearance...but we definitely don't believe that this alone is enough to make Apple drop a model number."
However, the publication added, "That's not to say that Apple won't go for iPhone 7 instead of the iPhone 6S; however, if it does, the most likely reason will be because the company has decided that the 'S' range of phones is a bit confusing and clear model numbers make more sense."
While a German retailer listed iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, and 6C in their online catalog, ValueWalk noted that it is still "hard to question Ming-Chi Kuo's predictions." Hence, other reports seem to hold Kuo's prediction that once Apple includes the Force Touch, the company might release an iPhone 7.
Perhaps Apple is likely to skip the iPhone 6S, and release the iPhone 7, or perhaps not. Nevertheless, Apple has yet to confirm official statements.
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