The year is almost nearing its end, which means that the speculations about the next-generation iPhone product are starting to intensify.

Global market research firm Trend Force has posted a press release saying Apple Inc. will start gearing closer to Samsung in the smartphone market share next year.

The international market research company revealed that Apple will continue to dominate in the high-end market. According to the report, "closely trailing Samsung in global shipments is Apple, which remains as the dominant and most profitable vendor in the high-end market."

The press release also mentioned that Apple Inc. will introduce the next iPhone product, the iPhone 7, in the second half of the year. The 5.5-inch iPhone 7 allegedly comes with a 3-GB memory. The device will also come with a waterproof feature, which can also be found in Sony Mobile smartphones.

KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo previousy said that the upcoming iPhone 7 will have 2 GB of RAM. However, Kuo also claimed that a larger device that will be called the iPhone 7 Plus will have the 3 GB of RAM.

MacRumors also mentioned that Kuo revealed that the upcoming iPhone models will continue feature featuring TFT-LCD displays for a long time.

NeuroGadget revealed that the sizes for the upcoming iPhone 7, which could either be 6 mm or 6.5 mm thick, will remain the same as its predecessor: 4.7 inches for the iPhone 7 and 5.5 inches for the larger iPhone 7 Plus. There are also reports claiming that a more affordable 4-inch iPhone 7C will also be released in the future.

However, Apple Inc. still has to release an official statement regarding the upcoming products.