HACKINTOSH.ORG | Macintosh discussion forums

Third-Party iPhone 7 Plus Cases Continue Debate Over Smart Connector Inclusion

Following early third-party iPhone 7 cases (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/09/iphone-7-case-leak-dual-cameras-stereo-speakers/) that surfaced earlier this year, several accessory manufacturers have now begun releasing cases for the larger iPhone 7 (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-7/) Plus, but the cases continue to fuel conflicting rumors over whether the larger model will include a Smart Connector (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/smart-connector/) on the rear.





The first case manufacturer, Sunnyc, has a listing for a $9.99 case (http://www.oppomart.com/accessories/iphone7/iphone-7-plus-case.html) that includes mockup of the iPhone 7 Plus that shows off the rumored dual-lens camera (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/04/04/dual-cameras-exclusive-to-iphone-7-plus-kgi/) system with a horizontally-aligned flash (via 9to5Mac (http://9to5mac.com/2016/06/02/iphone-7-and-iphone-7-plus-cases-surface-show-off-smart-connector-and-dual-camera-design/)). At the bottom of the case's back side, there's a cutout for a Smart Connector, a feature that has been the subject of a number of rumors including both as a potential inclusion (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/15/iphone-7-plus-photo-dual-lens-smart-connector/) on the device and an idea scrapped by Apple (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/05/23/iphone-7-7-plus-molds-no-smart-connector/).





<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2016/06/iphone-7-cases-2-800x445.jpg)" alt="iphone 7 cases 2" width="800" height="445" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-505184" /><center>Sunnyc's $9.99 iPhone 7 Plus case</center>


Rumors earlier in the year began indicating (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/04/27/iphone-7-plus-design-drawings/) that the iPhone 7 Plus would feature an iPad Pro (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipad-pro/)-like Smart Connector, which is used to provide simultaneous power and data connections to accessories like the Smart Keyboard (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/smart-keyboard/). As the expected fall launch of the new iPhone devices grows near, however, Japanese site Mac Otakara suggested (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/05/06/iphone-7-no-smart-connector/) Apple has nixed the Smart Connector from its plans -- a rumor SunnyC's case now opposes.





Supporting claims of no Smart Connector for the iPhone 7 Plus is another set of cases (http://wholesaler.alibaba.com/product-detail/Factory-Price-Transparent-TPU-For-iPhone_60473491673.html) that recently surfaced on Alibaba. The simple cases include the same horizontally extended camera opening to accommodate dual lenses, but lack an opening lower on the case for a Smart Connector.





(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2016/06/iphone_7_plus_cases_rainbow.jpg)


Either way, it remains unclear what advantages including a Smart Connector on the iPhone would bring, considering the iPad Pro's primary Smart Connector-enabled accessory is its $149.00 sold-separately Smart Keyboard ($169.00 for the 12.9-inch model). Possibilities include an interface for battery cases that would not require a "chin" or block the iPhone's Lightning port, a docking station, or a potential wireless charging solution that's paired with a charging pad.





Sunnyc has also posted two case designs for the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 -- both described as a "Protective Silicon Case" -- that offer basic protection and raised edges to protect the front of the device. While one sells for $8.99 (http://www.oppomart.com/accessories/iphone7/iphone-7-case.html) and has a cutout for the Apple logo on the back, and the other is going for $11.99 (http://www.oppomart.com/accessories/iphone7/iphone-7-case-1.html) and includes a more uniform, uninterrupted back plate, both are largely unnoticeable as next-generation iPhone cases and do not include cutouts for a Smart Connector.

<div class="linkback">Related Roundup: iPhone 7 (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-7/)
Tag: case leak (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/case-leak/) </div>
Discuss this article (http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-7-plus-cases.1975465/) in our forums

<div class="feedflare">
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=l05VVACMkfk:vrEpfmtgSW0:yIl2AUoC8zA) <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=6W8y8wAjSf4" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=l05VVACMkfk:vrEpfmtgSW0:6W8y8wAjSf4) <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=l05VVACMkfk:vrEpfmtgSW0:qj6IDK7rITs)
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MacRumors-Front/~4/l05VVACMkfk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Source: Third-Party iPhone 7 Plus Cases Continue Debate Over Smart Connector Inclusion (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/02/iphone-7-plus-cases/)