With the iPhone 6S rather underwhelming Apple's avid fans and with general iPhone sales in a slump, analysts are stating that the Cupertino giant would need to release a pretty compelling phone this year to endear the world once more. Considering the latest leak from the rumor mill, however, Apple fans might be in for a bit of a disappointment.

One of the most persistent rumors about the upcoming device revolves around its most premium line, the rumored iPhone 7 Pro, which is alleged to be designed as a successor to the firm's iPhone 6S Plus. During the past few months, numerous rumors have emerged stating that the iPhone 7 Pro would feature the firm's Smart Connector, something which is so far found only on the two iPad Pro models.

Indeed, the inclusion of the Smart Connector for the iPhone 7 would make it a very notable handset. After all, the Smart Connector would allow the smartphone to take full advantage of some new technologies such as wireless earphones and possibly even wireless, fast-charging technology. Other accessories such as smart keyboards, the Apple Pencil and the other notable accessories would also be possible if the iPhone 7 Pro would be equipped with the port.

Though the leaked designs of the iPhone 7 suggest that the handset would be almost identical to the physical dimensions of the iPhone 6S, fans were largely hoping that the additions of new technologies such as the Smart Connector would be enough to warrant an upgrade from the firm's iPhone 6, the last handset which really made a splash among consumers.

Unfortunately, the latest leak, this time allegedly coming from a Chinese firm, states that the phone would not feature the Smart Connector after all. For all intents and purposes, the iPhone 7 seems to be just an updated version of the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6 that preceded it.

Apart from this, other recent rumors are alleging that the iPhone 7 would still have a headphone jack, the absence of which has largely become one of the upcoming handset's most notable rumored characteristics.

Of course, all these are but speculations for now. Thus, these rumors must be taken with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, they still ring some alarm bells for a number of Apple fans.

While it does make sense to invest a lot of the firm's newest technologies in next year's model, the handset which marks the 10th anniversary of the device, the iPhone 7 is nonetheless a very pertinent device for Apple. If Apple wants to keep its dominance in the smartphone world, the iPhone 7 must make a splash among its fans. So far, with the latest leaks, this might not be the case. 

Tags: iPhone 7 iPhone 7 News iPhone 7 Rumors apple iPhone