5 features we are most looking forward to in iPhone 6S

Force Touch

The iPhone is about to get significantly more touchy-feely -- although in a good way. Very credible rumours say the 6S will come with the same kind of Force Touch that’s found in both the latest MacBook Pro trackpad and the Apple Watch, which is to say you can tap to do one thing, and push more firmly for something else.

If Apple can manage to shrink the technology down to fit in a wristwatch then we’re pretty sure putting it in an iPhone presents no challenges. Despite this some rumours say Force Touch could make the next iPhone models marginally thicker but, whatever the case, Apple was always going to have a hard time bettering the astonishingly slim iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

However, some reports suggest Force Touch will only feature in the larger iPhone 6S Plus model - something that would create a feature division not present in the current iPhone range, separated as they are only by screen size, battery life and camera stabilisation. Force Touch only in the iPhone 6S Plus would turn it into a flagship device, rather than just a larger version of the standard model, and would surely indicate Apple’s priorities lie with larger rather than smaller devices (see also iPad Pro rumours).

The coolest thing about Force Touch is that it’ll advance touch interface possibilities, which since the first iPhone in 2007 have been limited to simple taping, swiping and multitouch. Despite such constraints, developers and game makers in particular have produced some astonishingly clever apps -- so imagine what more can be done if pressing the screen in various ways is added to the mix. Is it time for the touch-based interface to graduate to being a serious computing platform?

Read next: iPhone 6s review | iPhone 6s Plus review

The iPhone is about to get significantly more touchy-feely -- although in a good way. Very credible rumours say the 6S will come with the same kind of Force Touch that’s found in both the latest MacBook Pro trackpad and the Apple Watch, which is to say you can tap to do one thing, and push more firmly for something else.

If Apple can manage to shrink the technology down to fit in a wristwatch then we’re pretty sure putting it in an iPhone presents no challenges. Despite this some rumours say Force Touch could make the next iPhone models marginally thicker but, whatever the case, Apple was always going to have a hard time bettering the astonishingly slim iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

However, some reports suggest Force Touch will only feature in the larger iPhone 6S Plus model - something that would create a feature division not present in the current iPhone range, separated as they are only by screen size, battery life and camera stabilisation. Force Touch only in the iPhone 6S Plus would turn it into a flagship device, rather than just a larger version of the standard model, and would surely indicate Apple’s priorities lie with larger rather than smaller devices (see also iPad Pro rumours).

The coolest thing about Force Touch is that it’ll advance touch interface possibilities, which since the first iPhone in 2007 have been limited to simple taping, swiping and multitouch. Despite such constraints, developers and game makers in particular have produced some astonishingly clever apps -- so imagine what more can be done if pressing the screen in various ways is added to the mix. Is it time for the touch-based interface to graduate to being a serious computing platform?

Read next: iPhone 6s review | iPhone 6s Plus review

Much better camera

The iPhone camera is already a stunner, replacing even the pro-level DSLR for some people, but in the iPhone 6S it will almost certainly be even better. Apple’s never been overly concerned about the megapixel count, knowing it to be a false measure of image quality, but rumours are that the 6S will jump to 12 megapixels from the current eight megapixel sensor found in the iPhone 5 and 6 models.

Analysts have also suggested that the 6S camera might simultaneously be retracted fully into the phone housing - a notable criticism of the iPhone 6 where the lens is slightly proud of the case - and also feature a more complex dual-lens system that will massively boost image quality. It might even have a multiple sensor system courtesy of a company Apple acquired. The benefits of all this will be particularly evident in low-light situations, where nearly all digital camera technologies prove weak. The lens might even feature optical zoom, which would be a first for any Apple phone lens, although we reckon this is perhaps less likely.

In short, the Apple 6S will continue Apple’s progress towards not only replacing the point-and-click digital camera but significantly superseding almost any model on sale today. Imagine having simply the best possible camera on your person at all times, producing superb images indoors or out, and at any time of the day. That’ll be the reality of the iPhone 6S.

Insanely fast

It’s becoming clear that both iOS 8 and the beta of iOS 9 don’t really like running in the 1GB of memory that’s been ferretted away in most Apple devices in recent years so we’re extremely excited by the possibility that the iPhone 6S could be boosted to 2GB. Apple ramped-up the iPad Air 2 to 2GB of RAM at the end of last year so such a move is not unheralded.

Combined with the rumoured inclusion of a tri-core all-new A9 processor, along with the M9 co-processor, a report has already claimed that the iPhone 6S’s performance will be “to kill for”. iOS will be snappier in everyday use and new levels of gaming performance will be possible – truly a device for the future and not just now.

There’s also suggestions that the 16GB base model of iPhone will be abandoned come the 6S, with 32GB becoming the new minimum. We’d love this to be true but find it a little hard to believe - especially considering Phil Schiller recently defended 16GB devices, explaining that they’re perfectly acceptable when partnered to iCloud storage.

Waterproofing

Apple’s found a way to make the Apple Watch surprisingly waterproof so it’s no surprise there are rumours the iPhone 6S will be better at surviving the occasional dunk in the ocean or accidental coating with Diet Coke. In fact, Apple’s been awarded patents for shielding electronic components from moisture by covering them with a magical coating, which further boosts the rumours.

Despite the fact that water damage is perhaps second only to screen breakage as the number one cause of iPhone premature death, we’re a little sceptical this is high on Apple’s list of priorities - if only because there are other things that are far cooler, and what counts as waterproof is somewhat ill-defined, making it hard to make promises everybody will be happy with. Still, we can’t help dreaming!

Rose Gold

The exterior design of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are likely to be similar if not identical to the earlier 6 and 6 Plus but Apple might have an ace up its sleeve with an additional colour option: Rose Gold. This is already in use with one of the Apple Watch Editions.

In a world when Android phones are either black, white, grey or some garish choice of colour (or a hideous pattern design), only Apple’s designers can get away with this subtle suggestion of colour. Of course, those buyers of the iPhone 6S have more feminine tendencies are likely to enjoy the prospect of an iPhone that’s pink without being overpoweringly so.

Read:

iPhone 7 release date and rumours

iPhone 6s release date and rumours

iPhone 6c release date and rumours

What to expect at the September iPhone event

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