Certain analysts with inside information regarding the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus have called it the most significant "S" upgrade to date, but all the hardware improvements may well make the handset thicker.
According to Engadget Japan, by way of BGR, a newly leaked schematic document shows an iPhone 6S measuring 7.1mm thick, an increase of 0.2mm from last year's release. But Apple is reportedly outfitting the iPhone 6S with several new hardware features, as well as increased resolution, more RAM, and an improved camera.
On top of it all, Apple will have to design a battery that can support all these new capabilities and processing speeds. As BGR pointed out, a better battery does appear to be the reason for a 7.1mm iPhone.
Rather, it will be the implementation of Force Touch, a screen that will allow users to give various commands based on different degrees of applied pressure. As Apple ventures into developing larger-screen iPhones, they will also look to make their handsets better to look upon, another factor fattening the upcoming model.
As DigiTimes learned last week, Apple's suppliers are shipping Force Touch panels, making them highly likely for inclusion.
But 0.2mm probably will not even be noticeable. For example, the current iPhone 6 Plus is 7.1mm and it is 0.5mm thinner than the iPhone 5S. If the iPhone 6S Plus also gets a 0.2 increase in depth, it too will still be thinner than the 5S.
BGR noted that "nothing is confirmed," but the rumors surrounding the products Apple traditionally unveils in the fall tend to ramp up and become more accurate as the summer wears on.
