New Ambient Light and Proximity Sensors Mean iPhone 6s Cases Unfortunately Aren’t Compatible with iPhone 7

Though Apple’s ‘iPhone 7’ is largely expected to retain similar dimensions and aesthetic cues of the current generation iPhone, a recently leaked rumor out of the Far East suggests that a repositioning of the forthcoming handset’s internal components is poised to make iPhone 6 and 6s cases unfit for use on the ‘iPhone 7’.

Unlike the Cupertino-company’s typical year-over-year iPhone refreshes, Apple’s ‘iPhone 7’ is expected to feature more changes under the hood — rather than those that meet the eye. Namely, the forthcoming device is said to boast repositioned ambient light and proximity sensors and the new repositioning of components means current iPhone cases on the market simply won’t work with the new model.

As popular Japanese blog, Macotokara, reports, most LCD display covers and case manufacturers have — in preparation for these changes — stopped accepting orders through Alibaba, the e-commerce giant well-know for its screaming deals on smartphone and tablet accessories.

Still unclear, however, is whether or not the existing slate of ‘iPhone 7’ cases available on Alibaba are actually going to work on the device — or if, as normally tends to be the case, most of the accessory manufacturers have simply been hedging their bets on rumored specifications, thus far.

Macotokara was first to report on these apparent sensor reconfigurations, as well. Their report alleges that Apple has updated the iPhone 7’s proximity sensor to a quote unquote “dual-specification” format — which is said to essentially be a two-part system, whereby the emitter and receiver, as two distinct components, are strategically placed apart from one another to improve speed and accuracy.

Similarly, the report also alleges that the forthcoming iPhone will feature a repositioning of the ambient light sensor from the left side of the handsets’ speaker grille, to the right. While it’s unclear exactly why Apple would bother making this seemingly pointless change, there has to be an explanation — an explanation, unfortunately that Macotokara was unable to provide any insight into.

Of course, these two minor design changes, in and of themselves, don’t particularly do the whole “legacy cases just won’t work” argument justice. And, for that reason, we’d also like to bring up a few other things that could perhaps more understandably justify the need for a new case:

Both Apple’s ‘iPhone 7’ and ‘iPhone 7 Plus’ are slated to be receiving new camera hardware. The 5.5-inch Plus model, as far as we know, is expected to get that awesome new dual-lens camera around back. While the standard 4.7-inch iPhone 7 will reportedly be updated with a larger iSight camera sensor of some sort.

What do you think about not being able to use your iPhone 6/6s case on iPhone 7? Let us know in the comments!

Featured Photo PC Hocasi

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]