iPhone 6s Rumors: 5 Things to Know

Everyone is talking about the Galaxy S6 and the HTC One M9 today, but there are already iPhone 6s rumors worth looking at as you explore the most anticipated smartphones of 2015.

These are the most interesting iPhone 6s rumors of early 2015. There are still many months to wait for an iPhone 6s release date to arrive and offer an upgraded iPhone 6 to continue to take on the Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9, but there are no shortage of rumors.

All signs point to Apple’s standard iPhone release cycle which makes it easier to expect what we will see in the fall. For the last several years Apple delivered a major upgrade and then a refinement with an “S” model.

Read: Buy the iPhone 6 or Wait for the iPhone 6s?

In 2014 Apple delivered the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which are clearly major upgrades over the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. This year we expect to see refinements to these phones with the iPhone 6s line that some shoppers are already waiting for.

Fall iPhone 6s Release

There is an Apple Event on March 9th and we expect that Apple will take the stage again in June for WWDC 2015 — but you shouldn’t expect to see the iPhone 6s at either of these events.

Expect a fall iPhone 6s release.

On March 9th Apple will show off the Apple Watch again and talk about iOS 8.2. In June we expect to see iOS 9 on stage and hear about that timing as well as more on a new version of OS X.

You can place money on a separate iPhone 6s event in fall 2015 that will arrive ahead of the iOS 9 release and ahead of an iPhone 6s release date.

Apple favors a fall iPhone release timeline, that puts the new product on store shelves right in time for Black Friday and the busy holiday shopping season.

iOS 9 On Board

We are already seeing Apple test iOS 9 and hearing rumors about what this software will offer to iPhone users. iOS 9 is not exclusive to the iPhone 6s, but it should be the software that launches on the iPhone 6s in the fall. Apple ties together new software with new hardware in the fall.

A public iOS 9 beta is rumored for release this summer to let regular users test the iOS 9 update before the full release.

9to5Mac reports that iOS 9 will focus on delivering a better experience to iPhone and iPad users who aren’t excited about the range of iOS 8 problems and performance issues that linger months after the iOS 8 release that accompanied the iPhone 6 release last fall.

The publication also reports that Apple will offer a public iOS 9 beta to let users try out the new software before the official release. This will likely be limited to a small number of users.

Even though Apple will show off iOS 9 this summer, if it follows the plans from earlier years, we will not see all the features. Apple saves some features for the new iPhone every year.

iPhone 6s Design

We aren’t seeing any iPhone 6s photos yet, but if you know what the iPhone 6 looks like you have a pretty good idea of what to expect. The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s, iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s all look very much like the original model that the “S” replaced.

Don’t expect major iPhone 6s design changes.

Apple will likely keep the iPhone 6s design in line with the iPhone 6. This simplifies accessories and allows Apple to focus on refining the power inside, the battery life and the camera experience.

There is always a chance for Apple to shake things up if Samsung and HTC go big with the Galaxy S6 and the HTC One M9, but tradition indicates a similar design.

Samsung Inside, Camera Upgrades & Touch ID

The latest iPhone 6s rumors show Apple will rely on Samsung for the memory in the iPhone 6s. The report claims Apple will opt for a new type of RAM that is more power efficient, could deliver better performance and will deliver an upgrade from 1GB of RAM to 2GB of RAM.

Internal upgrades should arrive with the iPhone 6s.

The iPhone 6s may use the same 8MP sensor as the iPhone 6 according to Taipei Times, but this doesn’t mean that Apple won’t deliver any improvements. The sensor size is not the only thing that influences the quality of photos. We’ve also heard that Apple may use a dual-lens system to upgrade the quality.

In early February KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared that Apple will likely upgrade the Touch ID sensor on the iPhone 6s. In a research note shared on AppleInsider, Kuo outlines the upgrade that will focus on fewer scanning errors and a better Apple Pay experience.

iPhone 6s & iPhone 6S Plus Displays

We expect an iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in 2015.

In 2013 Apple delivered two new iPhones with the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. In 2014 Apple returned with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. This year we expect to see two phones again, with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

Without changing the design, it is likely that Apple will stick with the same 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes. We could see Apple improve aspects of the display technology without changing the size. Upgrades could offer a less reflective coating like the iPad Air 2 or a new resolution, but there are no firm details on this yet.

Wireless Charging

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It would be amazing to finally get wireless charging in the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus so that charging would no longer require a Lightning cable. There are adapters and cases to add wireless charging to the iPhone, but the real benefit comes from integrated wireless charging. Yes, there is still a need for a cable connected to power, but you would no longer need to plug the iPhone in, just set it on a charging mat on your nightstand, on a coffee table at Starbucks or in a wireless charging dock in your car that can deliver power without the need to fumble with a cable. The wireless charging iPhone 6s feature is all about the convenience of using the iPhone without a cable tethered to it -- and charging remains the only reason you absolutely need a cable with the iPhone.

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