text: Ever since the iPhone 3GS launched in 2009, Apple has followed a new handset one year with a marginally-different 'S' version the year after. But rumours suggest it is about to abandon these plans by skipping the launch of a 6S this autumn in favour of going straight for the iPhone 7. This difference may seem slight, but it suggests the next model of iPhone could be substantial improvement on iPhone 6 range, and rumours have hinted towards new features such as Force Touch. Rumours suggest Apple is about to abandon the 6S later this year in favour of going straight for the iPhone 7. This difference may seem slight but it suggests the next model of iPhone could be substantial improvement on iPhone 6 range (pictured), and rumours have hinted towards new features . The claims were made by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo during a note to investors on Tuesday, reports MacRumors. He said the next-generation iPhone will feature Force Touch, recently added to the Apple Watch and new MacBook. Apple describes Force Touch as the 'most significant new sensing capability' since Multi‑Touch. It recognises typical scrolling and pinching gestures, but it additionally tracks the pressure of a person's click and responds accordingly. The claims were made by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who said the next-generation iPhone will feature Force Touch, recently added to the Apple Watch and new MacBook (pictured). It recognises typical scrolling and pinching gestures, but additionally tracks the pressure of a click and responds accordingly . Apple released its iOS 8.3 update yesterday. And in addition to 300 new emojis, including the much-anticipated 'racially diverse' people icons, Apple also rolled out Wi-Fi Calling on more networks. People on Sprint in the US and EE in the UK can now use their iPhones to make calls using the web. Wi-Fi Calling routes calls through a Wi-Fi network instead of using mobile signal, which can be notoriously temperamental. Calls made over Wi-Fi don't use minutes or data and can be used to make free calls when roaming. Apple added the option in iOS 8 in September, although it was only used by T-Mobile at that time. EE launched the UK's first Wi-Fi Calling service earlier this week on the Lumia 640 and Samsung's Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. Although services such as Skype and Viber offer calls over Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Calling doesn't require an app and uses the handset's built-in dialler and contact list. This means gestures and tracking feel more intuitive and are more responsive. And on the Watch this feature is used to access more options in menus, for example. If Force Touch is added to the next iPhone, Mr Kuo said the change will be significant enough to warrant Apple adding the 7 moniker to any new handsets. This follows recent rumours which suggested a 4-inch version of the iPhone 6 is in development to replace the iPhone 5C with a lower cost and 'female friendly' design. The handset will be launched during 2015, according to Chinese rumour site Feng.com, and it would complement the current range of larger 4.7 and 5.5-inch screen sizes. In particular, The Feng.com report called the new design  'female friendly', alluding to the fact women typically have smaller hands than men. This could be known as the iPhone 6C, or based on Mr Kuo's predictions, the iPhone 7C. The larger handsets were extremely well received and became Apple's fastest-selling product to date, selling more than 10 million units within the first three days. Many doubted how successful a large screen iPhone would be, claiming it was too big but the recent sales figures show the 6 Plus is outselling every other 'phablet' in the US. Despite being on the market for just a single month of the three months ending October 2014, the iPhone 6 Plus captured 41 per cent of 'phablet' sales. This follows recent rumours which suggested a 4-inch version of the iPhone 6 is in development to replace the iPhone 5C (pictured) with a lower cost and a more 'female friendly' design. This could be known as the iPhone 6C, or based on Mr Kuo's predictions, the iPhone 7C . Apple released its iOS 8.3 update yesterday. In addition to 300 new emojis, including the much-anticipated 'racially diverse' people icons (pictured), Apple also rolled out Wi-Fi Calling on more networks. People on Sprint in the US and EE in the UK can now use their iPhones to make calls using the web .
target: Claims were made by Thailand-based KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo .
  He said the next-generation iPhone will feature Force Touch .
  This was added to the Watch and Macbook and tracks click pressures .
  If true, the change will be significant enough to warrant Apple calling its handset iPhone 7 rather than adding a traditional 'S' to the iPhone 6 range .