iPhone 7 release date, specs & rumors: will it be better than the iPhone 6s? Here's what we know so far

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It has only been a few months since the release of the iPhone 6s, but rumors are already starting to circulate about the next phone in Apple's lineup, the iPhone 7. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has divulged some of his notes and predictions.

This famed KGI Securities forecaster has been on point in revealing the features and specifications of future Apple devices including the iPad Pro, the iPhone 6 and 6S. In a report by Forbes, Kuo states that the display is one aspect of the iPhone that will be retained in the next model.

Unlike Apple's competitors, the iPhone 7 will not feature an AMOLED display. Expect the feature to appear around 2018 at the very earliest.

Forbes says this is significant as AMOLED consumes less power than the IPS LCD display panels that the smartphone manufacturer currently uses.

One of the biggest disappointments for users is the iPhone 6s' battery. Based on Tech Times' report, the iPhone 6s features a 1715 mAh battery, a considerable downgrade from the 1810 mAh battery inside last year's iPhone 6.

Know Your Mobile describes Apple's method of creating new smartphones as the 'tick-tock.' Ticks involve major changes in the form while tocks retain the old form but releasing a few feature.

Examples of "ticks" are the iPhone 4 and 5 where iPhone 4 featured an aluminum body with a Retina display while the iPhone 5 featured the 4-inch display. Ticks include the iPhone 4s which featured Siri while iPhone 5s included the Touch ID.

Based on this report, iPhone 7 is expected to feature a new form.

Kuo says both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be measuring approximately 6-6.5mm in thickness. As such, sources indicate that getting a bigger battery to power the device is unlikely.

Forbes speculates that Apple may need to do some "magic" to get the right balance between a thinner body and better screen resolution without affecting the battery life too much.

Expert Reviews has a few predictions of their own which involve the new chip and the operating system.

"There are a few tricks that Apple might have up its sleeve. For starters, the new A10 chip will, no doubt, be more energy efficient than the A9 SoC in the iPhone 6S."

"Next, Apple will most likely work on making iOS 10 more energy efficient, again helping boost battery power."

If Apple follows their usual release date, consumers can expect the iPhone 7 to be released sometime in September 2016.