5 things to know about the next iPhone

By Brandon Griggs, CNN
Updated 8:58 AM EDT, Fri August 28, 2015
The<strong> iPhone 7</strong>, Apple's latest iteration of its smartphone, focuses on photography. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are water resistant, come in new shades of black and have improved cameras. Apple also eliminated the headphone jack with this generation. Click through to see the evolution of Apple's flagship product:
The iPhone 7, Apple's latest iteration of its smartphone, focuses on photography. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are water resistant, come in new shades of black and have improved cameras. Apple also eliminated the headphone jack with this generation. Click through to see the evolution of Apple's flagship product:
Christoph Dernbach/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the <strong>iPhone</strong> to the world January 9, 2007, at the Macworld conference in San Francisco. The device, which seems almost quaint now, went on sale five months later.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone to the world January 9, 2007, at the Macworld conference in San Francisco. The device, which seems almost quaint now, went on sale five months later.
TONY AVELAR/AFP/Getty Images
Jobs announced the second edition of the phone, the <strong>iPhone 3G</strong>, at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco on June 9, 2008. It worked on 3G cellular networks and was the first iPhone priced at Apple's now-standard $199 with a phone contract (for the basic model).
Jobs announced the second edition of the phone, the iPhone 3G, at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco on June 9, 2008. It worked on 3G cellular networks and was the first iPhone priced at Apple's now-standard $199 with a phone contract (for the basic model).
Tony Avelar/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of marketing, unveiled the <strong>iPhone 3GS</strong> at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8, 2009. Schiller filled in for the ailing Jobs, who was on medical leave. The 3GS was the first iPhone to shoot video.
Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of marketing, unveiled the iPhone 3GS at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8, 2009. Schiller filled in for the ailing Jobs, who was on medical leave. The 3GS was the first iPhone to shoot video.
Tony Avelar/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Jobs was back to unveil the <strong>iPhone 4</strong> on June 7, 2010, at Apple's developers conference. The phone boasted a high-res "retina display" and a new, more angular design, but it suffered from an antenna flaw that caused weak signals and dropped calls for many consumers. In a rare move, Apple later offered free "bumpers" to address the antenna issue.
Jobs was back to unveil the iPhone 4 on June 7, 2010, at Apple's developers conference. The phone boasted a high-res "retina display" and a new, more angular design, but it suffered from an antenna flaw that caused weak signals and dropped calls for many consumers. In a rare move, Apple later offered free "bumpers" to address the antenna issue.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
New Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the<strong> iPhone 4S</strong> at the company's Cupertino, California, headquarters on October 4, 2011 -- the first time he had introduced a new product since Jobs stepped down in August. It was a bittersweet day for Cook, who knew Jobs was near death. Indeed, Jobs died the next day after a long battle with cancer.
New Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the iPhone 4S at the company's Cupertino, California, headquarters on October 4, 2011 -- the first time he had introduced a new product since Jobs stepped down in August. It was a bittersweet day for Cook, who knew Jobs was near death. Indeed, Jobs died the next day after a long battle with cancer.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Schiller, the Apple marketing chief, announced the <strong>iPhone 5</strong> on September 12, 2012, in San Francisco. This model featured a slightly larger screen and a new connector for charging the battery.
Schiller, the Apple marketing chief, announced the iPhone 5 on September 12, 2012, in San Francisco. This model featured a slightly larger screen and a new connector for charging the battery.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Schiller unveiled the <strong>iPhone 5S</strong> on September 10, 2013, at the Apple campus in Cupertino. For the first time Apple launched two new iPhone models, the 5S and the cheaper 5C, both running iOS 7. The 5S featured a fingerprint sensor, an upgraded camera and an A7 processing chip.
Schiller unveiled the iPhone 5S on September 10, 2013, at the Apple campus in Cupertino. For the first time Apple launched two new iPhone models, the 5S and the cheaper 5C, both running iOS 7. The 5S featured a fingerprint sensor, an upgraded camera and an A7 processing chip.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The less expensive <strong>iPhone 5C</strong> was made from hard-coated polycarbonate and came in a rainbow of colors.
The less expensive iPhone 5C was made from hard-coated polycarbonate and came in a rainbow of colors.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Last year, Apple enlarged the<strong> iPhone 6</strong> and introduced an even larger model, the iPhone 6 Plus. Both were seen as attempts to compete with popular rival devices from Samsung and other makers. The iPhone 6, left, featured a 4.7-inch display (measured diagonally) but was dwarfed by the iPhone 6 Plus and its 5.5-inch screen. Both devices ran iOS 8.
Last year, Apple enlarged the iPhone 6 and introduced an even larger model, the iPhone 6 Plus. Both were seen as attempts to compete with popular rival devices from Samsung and other makers. The iPhone 6, left, featured a 4.7-inch display (measured diagonally) but was dwarfed by the iPhone 6 Plus and its 5.5-inch screen. Both devices ran iOS 8.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Nine years of iPhone launches

Story highlights

Apple is expected to unveil new iPhones on September 9 in San Francisco

Phones may come in a new color, rose gold, and have a new feature called Force Touch

CNN  — 

It’s that time of year again. The kids are back in school, the nights are getting cooler, footballs are flying through the air and Apple is readying new iPhones.

The company just announced it will hold an event September 9 in San Francisco. And while Apple is tighter with its secrets than the CIA, a new generation of iPhones – which have been birthed every September or October since 2011 – are a safe bet.

Here’s what to expect from the ninth generation of Apple’s flagship device.

Name

If recent patterns hold, the phone will be called iPhone 6S – assuming it’s a relatively modest upgrade over last year’s iPhone 6. But if Apple overhauls the handset, it may ditch the odd-year “S” naming convention and call it iPhone 7.

There’s a perception among some consumers that the “S” models aren’t as de