There are new leaks and reports that point to the existence of a powerful iPhone. But without Apple's word, there isn't anything confirmed yet. Interestingly, a report from Engadget Japan claims that the next iPhone, may it be the 6S or the 7, will be thicker than its predecessor.

The website shared a schematic of the device sporting a quite bulkier build. According to iDigital Times, the unexpected change is simply an answer to the Bendgate experiment that proved that the iPhone is easy to bend. However, there are reports that it's more than that.

Apple Insider says that the thickness was necessary for the Force Touch feature to work. This facet, which was first seen in action in the Apple Watch, is being rumored to be integrated into the iPhone 6S or the iPhone 7. In the process, a 7000 series aluminum may even be used to toughen up the phone.

As per the aforementioned site, this makes the upcoming iPhone 0.2 millimeters thicker than the iPhone 6. The site notes that this change, although big enough to lodge the long-demanded feature, will be very subtle. In fact, cases for the iPhone 6 will still fit the phone even though it was made 7.1 millimeters thick.

Meanwhile, the debate whether Apple will be releasing an S version of its chart-busting pair of flagships this year or develop a new generation of iPhone altogether is still persistent. 9to5mac argues that the new smartphone offering from Apple will be the iPhone 6S.

This is because, basing on the renders it acquired, there seems to be little to no modifications on the design. This indicates that the changes will be more under the hood, which Apple tends to do for its S lineup. If it was iPhone 7, then more drastic alterations should be visible.

According to Network World citing unnamed Bloomberg sources, at least one iPhone model that bears the same layout as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is already in production. It hints that it may be the iPhone 6S and the schedule of release falls on October.

The site also stated that the iPhone 7 is entirely different and is slated to hit the market early next year.

Interestingly, a China-based publication known as IT Times recently reported that Apple enlisted 40,000 new workers to work on what the site said was THE iPhone 6S. This report, however, mentions that the production will kick off in August.

On the technical side, 9to5mac is reporting that the iPhone 7 will house a new NFC hardware labelled NXP 66VP2, which is an upgrade to NXP 65V10, which is the one used in the iPhone 6. This new chip makes use of a smaller board that gives room to three more efficient chips. Also, the site said that the iPhone 6S or 7 may still come in a starting capacity of 16GB, which will be a cheaper option compared to 64GB and 128GB models.