Apple to stop making 16GB variants of iPhones: Report

All entry-level iPhones to come with 32GB of internal memory

The report goes on to say that entry-level iPhones will now come with 32GB memory and this means that the company has finally realised that 16GB is too less in terms of storing varied amounts of data on smartphones.

Apple might no longer sell 16GB variants of iPhones starting with the iPhone 7, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Wednesday.

The report goes on to say that entry-level iPhones will now come with 32GB memory and this means that the company has finally realised that 16GB is too less in terms of storing varied amounts of data on smartphones. This also means that the company is coming back to 32GB variants after three years as the last phone to launch with that capacity was iPhone 5S, which was launched in 2013. All other iPhones launched after that -- iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE -- come in 16GB and 64GB variants. Apple added a 128GB variant with iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models.

The iPhone 7 is expected to come in two screen sizes. While the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 7 is expected to come in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB storage variants, the smaller version is said to come in 32GB, 64GB and 256GB storage variants. The iPhones will also come with slightly bumped up batteries at 1,735 mAh and 2,810 mAh respectively.

Photos directly from the factory floor posted on Chinese microblogging site Weibo revealed codes that shows the slight change in battery capacity. The change in battery size is also interesting as it is placed between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S. While the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus use battery sizes of 1,715 mAh and 2,750 mAh, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus use 1,810 mAh) and 2,915 mAh respectively.

According to a report on technology website 9to5mac.com, the devices will also have redesigned antenna lines. Other leaks also suggested that the smaller 4.7 inch iPhone 7 will also receive a camera upgrade. The camera hole will be substantially larger and the entire component has been aligned closer to the corner of the device.

The images also show the lack of horizontal antenna lines on the back of the phone. As has been reported many times, the antenna lines have been redesigned and are now present only at the chassis edges. Other changes like the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack and inclusion of two speaker grills suggest stereo sound output. Apple is expected to launch iPhone 7 officially around September. Apart from camera upgrades, major external design upgrades are tipped for the "OLED iPhone 8" in 2017.