Most analysts agree that Apple’s going to remove the physical home button from the iPhone eventually, the only question is when the company will actually do it. There were some sketchy rumors that the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6S would be the one to ditch the home button, but obviously that never happened. Now an analyst from Piper Jaffray is claiming that there’s a 50% chance that the iPhone 7 will be the first iPhone to not have a physical home button.
Apple’s iPhone 7 is bound to be released in about a year from now, at least if we take into account the company’s usual unveiling and launch cycle. Furthermore, since the latest iPhone money can buy is part of the “S” series, anyone familiar with Apple’s M.O. expects the iPhone 7 to represent a larger departure from the current design. According to Piper Jaffray analyst, Gene Munster, this is one of the reasons why he now predicts a $172 price target for Apple’s shares in 2016 (up from $111.13), along with the introduction of the iPad Pro and the new Apple TV. In a note he wrote to his clients, Munster also shared a few details on what we could expect from next year’s iPhone, including improved battery life, a sapphire display, and the lack of a home button. According to Gene Munster, the iPhone 7 will catch the market’s attention through a new, unique design; at least when compared to the iPhone 6s / 6s Plus. The handset’s overall design might change drastically thanks to the inclusion of 3D Touch, which might be used by Apple to replace the iconic physical home button.
