iPhone 7 Release Date, Specs, News and Rumors: Apple To Debut New Tech For Slim Phones?

Pushed by competition from Android phone makers who have set standards in phone thickness, Apple is reportedly planning to debut a new technology for chip manufacturing that will help it shave precious few millimeters from the iPhone 7.

Called Fan-out, the technology facilitates greater packaging density on smaller chips without compromising signal quality. According to Macworld, multiple electrical components in a phone can be powered through a single fan-out chip. Apple is reportedly applying the technology to its antenna switching module chip, marking the technology's first use in a smartphone.

Speculation that Apple is working to shrink its iPhone 7 to compete with Android phones have been around for a while. Rumored reason for Apple's efforts which gained traction include removal of headphone jack, use of liquid metal and more recently fan-out packaging technology.

While striving to make its iPhones thin, Apple would also be faced with concerns of phone yield, wanting to avoid a repeat of iPhone 6 'bendgate'. At 6.1 mm thickness, iPhone 6 is thinnest Apple phone.

Fan-out technology could also help Apple put in bigger batteries in its phones. This is another department where iPhones lose out to their bigger screen Android counterparts. Apple introduced a smart battery case last year but the grouse remains that battery life of iPhones needs improvement.

Other rumors that are likely to translate into features of iPhone 7 include a dual-lens camera and headphone support through Lightning. Apple may also release an edge-to-edge display though reports of an OLED display are unlikely to prove true.

Another technology that Apple is said to be toying with for its next release is wireless charging.

After the launch of iPhone SE, speculation that Apple may break tradition to launch three phones this fall has been gain ground. The third phone this fall could be premium model or a 4-inch device dubbed the iPhone 7 mini. Launch of a second 4-inch device this year seems unlikely as it could cannibalize the iPhone SE and take attention from this year's flagship launches.