iPhone 7 release date rumors: mass production reportedly already underway; suggests launch soon

The iPhone 6Reuters

While Apple has yet to confirm details on its next smartphone flagship, fans are already expecting that the iPhone 7 will drop soon. Speculations suggest that the new iteration is already in production, and there are "leaked" images of the flagship already put up online.

According to BGR, recent leaks of what is supposed to be the iPhone 7 point out that the device is already in assembly since the images are reportedly taken by sources inside Foxconn, the third-party partner of Apple for its iPhone production. The images say, "#iPhone7 mass production has started. Batch of camera modules...let's go to work with full stomach at Foxconn."

Meanwhile, more recent images of the alleged iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are already making the rounds online. Apple Insider says that the supposed mock-up of the iPhone 7 Plus showcases many of the previously rumored improvements in the upcoming flagship. Based on the images, the iPhone 7 Plus will come out with a 5.5-inch display – a phablet by Apple standards – a dual-lens iSight camera and improved antenna lines.

However, based on images of the iPhone 7 seen by TechCrunch, the base model will be very different than the iPhone 7 Plus. For instance, the industry follower surmises that on the outside, it greatly resembles the iPhone 6s. While the industry follower has not gone into specifics, the images posted online shows that the iPhone 7 seems to have the same single-lens iSight camera at the back. This may mean that the iPhone 7 Plus is already the step-up version of the lineup, and there will be no iPhone 7s launch (as pointed out by previous speculations).

As to when fans can expect the new lineup, Apple has yet to come out with a specific reveal date for the iPhone 7, although rumors say that based on previous Apple timelines, a September launch is possible.