In a new video from Unbox Therapy, YouTuber Lewis Hilsenteger shares a hands-on look at third-party cases intended to fit both the iPhone 7 and iPhone SE. Assuming they are based on accurate designs, the two "leaked" cases in the video appear to confirm previous rumors about each iPhone, including the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack in the iPhone 7 and an iPhone SE form factor that is very similar to that of the iPhone 5 and 5s.
Hilsenteger starts by comparing the supposed iPhone SE case to an iPhone 5, finding that the sixth-generation iPhone generally fits well into the iPhone SE case, with one minor discrepancy in the alignment of the volume buttons on the side of the device. This is most likely due to the expected design tweak on the 4-inch iPhone SE, which is rumored to adopt the curved-edge glass of recent iPhone models rather than the flat glass and sharper chamfered edges of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s.
He then moves on to comparing the iPhone 7 case with one for an iPhone 6s, noticing a "much larger opening" for the smartphone's camera. While an iPhone 6s fits almost perfectly inside the new iPhone 7 case, the cutout fails to align with the camera of the iPhone 6s and extends noticeably farther down.
Current rumors state that a possible dual-camera system would be exclusive to the larger iPhone 7 Plus, and while the cutout on this smaller-screened iPhone 7 is larger than on the current model, it appears more likely designed for a larger single-lens camera than a dual-lens camera. Rumors have been inconsistent about whether the iPhone 7 rear camera will be flush with the rear shell continue to protrude slightly as on current models.
The bottom cutout of the iPhone 7 case also appears to corroborate previous rumors that the next generation of iPhone will cease support for the 3.5mm headphone jack and move onto a universal Lightning cable solution for charging and music playback. Similar to a leaked case image from earlier in the month, the bottom section of the case has cutouts for possible stereo speakers with a Lightning adapter set in between.
When Hilsenteger attempted to place a 3.5mm headphone plug through the speaker cutout while the iPhone 6s was placed in the case, he confirmed it was in fact too slim of an opening to successfully connect the headphones.
Renderings from Feld & Volk, which worked from leaked designs of the iPhone 7, suggested that the iPhone 7 might also be substantially thinner than the iPhone 6s. In Unbox Therapy's video today, however, it appears the current model of iPhone fits snugly into the iPhone 7 leaked case, suggesting any reduction in thickness would be very minor.
Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 7 during an event in its usual September timeframe, but the 4-inch iPhone SE is expected to be one of the centerpiece devices at the company's March 21 'Let Us Loop You In' spring event. The company today launched a new live events app on the tvOS store to get fans ready for the live streaming event from the new Apple TV on Monday.
