Several rumors have been surfacing about the next iPhone — which is expected to be called iPhone 7 — such as a dual-lens camera on the larger version, the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, the addition of a second speaker at the bottom of the devices, waterproof and dust-proof ratings and a Smart Connector. Back in October 2015, Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray told Barron’s that the home button on the iPhone could be eliminated in favor of a digital button controlled by 3D Touch. And now, a new report from supply chain sources in China told DigiTimes that the iPhone 7 devices will have a touch-sensitive digital button instead of the traditional physical button separated from the display, making the front of the device completely flush.

The DigiTimes report also reiterated rumors about the waterproof and dust-proof ratings on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Samsung’s Galaxy S5 and S7 smartphones are water-resistant so the development of a waterproof iPhone would further make Apple AAPL -5.57%’s devices even more competitive against its rivals. Another iPhone 7 rumor suggested that the protruding camera lens on the rear will be flattened, which means that both sides of the iPhone 7 could be flush.

Sources with DigiTimes have been spotty in the past, but several other leaks corroborate rumors about the iPhone 7 being waterproof and dust-proof. The waterproof and dust-proof specifications sound very plausible because the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus have passed water resistant tests. As far as the replacement of the physical home button goes, you should wait on additional leaks before believing that Apple will actually change it.

Evidence about Apple’s plans to replace the physical home button seems to date back to last year. In June 2015, it was reported that Apple was planning to develop touch and display driver integration (TDDI) chips that would include “integrated fingerprint sensors.” Apple received a patent last month for a “bulk amorphous alloy pressure sensor” based on material created by Liquidmetal Technologies. And Apple recently renewed its exclusive rights license to use Liquidmetal’s malleable alloy since 2010. Hypothetically the digital home button would deform slightly when it is pressed, but it will go back to the normal shape when the user lifts their finger. And the home button built into the iPhone 7 would utilize haptic feedback, which is similarly used in the Apple Watch and the iPhone 6S / 6S Plus.

Drawing from Apple’s bulk amorphous alloy pressure sensor patent / Photo Credit: Apple

Why would Apple want to get rid of the headphone jack? Apple wants to reduce the thickness of its devices and that would only seem possible by removing the headphone jack. Chinese technology company LeEco recently launched three smartphones without a headphone jack in favor of USB Type-C, thus beating Apple to the punch. Rumors have suggested that the iPhone 7 will be as thin as the 6.1 mm iPod Touch since the headphone jack would be removed from it.

Despite the major changes reportedly coming to the iPhone 7, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told investors that Apple’s upcoming flagship smartphone is unlikely going to impress. Kuo cited the iPhone 7′s identical design to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S as the reason along with the removal of the headphone jack alienating customers. Kuo said that features like wireless charging, an advanced camera on the Plus version and battery improvements will not be enough for consumers to feel like an upgrade is necessary. Essentially, Kuo said that the iPhone “needs a makeover.”

However, Kuo suggested that Apple is stalling on innovation this year in order to present a massive change in 2017. Kuo said that Apple will skip the “S” naming convention in 2017 by calling the device iPhone 8 next year — which will be the 10 year anniversary of the iPhone. And the iPhone 8 is expected to be radically redesigned with an all-glass chassis and a curved OLED display. The iPhone 7 is expected to be announced in September or October.

What are your thoughts about the potential Home button change in the iPhone 7?

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