As iPhone 5 se launch gets closer, iPhone 7 rumours pour in

The iPhone 5 se is set to launch at their event in March. As the due date gets closer, the rumour mill is churning out everything from hints about the smaller iPhone’s colours to patents for upcoming iPhones.

If a patent filing is taken into consideration, navigating Apple devices won’t require touching them. (Pixabay)

The iPhone 5 se is set to launch at their event in March. As the due date gets closer, the rumour mill is churning out everything from hints about the smaller iPhone's colour options to patents for upcoming iPhones.

Here are some of the exciting new updates about the upcoming iPhones:

If a patent filing is taken into consideration, navigating Apple devices won't require touching them.

The patent describes "proximity and multi-touch sensor detection and demodulation" -- a technology that uses proximity and touch sensors to detect if there's something (like a finger), close to the screen even if it isn't touching it. The patent also suggests that the feature will support multi-touch.

Another patent talks about 3D touch on the home button. By arranging electrodes underneath the home button, it will be able to detect pressure like the screens of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus can. It can then be used to do multiple functions depending on how hard you press the home button. A touch could mean unlock, while a press could mean reply and a harder press could just take you to the home screen.

Future iPhones could have 3D touch on their home buttons. (Apple Insider)

Future iPhones could have 3D touch on their home buttons. (Apple Insider)

However, reports suggest that the chassis will be extremely similar to that of the iPhone 6 or 6s series, with only two differences.

On the contrary, Apple had also filed a patent to read fingerprints using the screen and add access the home screen through the Force Touch.

Apple loves making their phone slimmer even if they have to compromise on the battery life. However, they did make up for it by making a case that looks weird but doubles the battery life. The camera module is expected to get thinner and smaller which is expected from a company that has 800 employees working just on the iPhone's camera.

There could also be a version of the iPhone with dual cameras for better photography.

The other noticeable change might be the antenna bands on the back of the phone. The plastic back that break the fluency of an all-metal build of iPhones is said to get a cut. Not entirely though. The antenna bands will still be there, but the bar dividing the rear of the handset into three sections might be missing.