(CNet) – Apple may be developing the next iPhone as more than just an incremental upgrade.
Likely to be launched in September as per Apple’s usual time frame, the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus (assuming Apple continues with its usual naming convention) will start off by offering a Force Touch feature — which would monitor the area on which the finger touches the screen to decide how much pressure you’re applying. Apple would then tempt buyers with even more specs, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in an investors note caught by G for Games and other sources.
Apple itself has not officially named its next iPhone or stated its intentions for the device.
Apple typically rolls out a major upgrade to its iPhone lineup every other year, and then fills in the gap with a more incremental upgrade during the in-between years. So the iPhone 5 came out in 2012, followed by the iPhone 5S in 2013 and the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2015. The “S” models usually enhance the processor and a few other components and add one or two new features but not much more. However, Apple continues to face tough competition from the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy S series and Android phones in general, which often sport major upgrades on an annual basis. Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus regained lost market share and customers by offering bigger screens. But if Apple wants to continue that trend, then the iPhone 6S needs to be more than just an incremental upgrade, which could happen, according to Kuo’s crystal ball.