It’s February, which means that we’ve stepped into one of the most interesting parts of the year. The Mobile World Congress is less than four weeks away, and plenty of smartphone manufacturers are making the necessary preparations to release their upcoming products. Gadget enthusiasts around the world have a lot to look forward to, as flagship devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the LG G3 are slowly but surely closing in to the finish line.
While this is clearly a period of time when the Android market thrives, the flow of leaks and rumors concerning the next iPhone (whichever that may be) rarely stops. There have been numerous reports on what the iPhone 6 will have to offer in the display and camera departments – despite the fact that the smartphone’s launch is still many months away. Let’s take a closer look at what the future might hold for Apple enthusiasts. Remember that the information below is based on rumors, so treat it accordingly.
Display
Apple fans should already be familiar with the formula used by the Cupertino giant. Once every two years, Apple launches a new iPhone flagship that differentiates itself from the previous generation in multiple regards. In between, the company releases a refresh bearing the “s” moniker (example: iPhone 5 and 5s).
Since last year’s iPhone was a refresh on the iPhone 5, this year we’re expecting that the iPhone 6 will bring much more to the table. If we take into account how previous iPhone models have evolved, logic dictates that the iPhone 6 will feature a larger than 4-inch display.
In mid-January, rumors were circulating that the seventh iPhone will pack a larger than 5.5-inch display. Shortly after these rumors have emerged, analyst Timothy Arcuri of Cowen and Company has issued a note to investors, suggesting that Apple has decided on fitting a 4.8-inch panel on its next top-tier smartphone.
However, there have also been whispers that Apple may be working on two top-range iPhone models this year. According to previous reports coming from The Wall Street Journal, one of these models will feature a display of at least 4.5 inches, whereas the second device’s screen will measure at least 5 inches diagonally.
This strategy makes some sense, as Apple might want to be able to appeal to all of its consumers. Die-hard fans would most likely prefer a smaller screen, but a larger smartphone could also attract more customers from the Android scene, where large displays have become the norm. Whether or not Apple will adopt this formula remains to be seen.
Camera
iPhones have always been held in high regard for their ability to capture impressive pictures, but today’s top-range Android phones are no duds either. The gap between the two platforms has narrowed down, and some Android devices such as the LG G2 have been able to outperform the iPhone, thanks to the inclusion of hardware-based optical image stabilization.
Needless to say, Apple needs to do something in this regard if it wishes to remain relevant. What do the rumors say? Well, previous reports were suggesting that the iPhone 6′s camera will remain at 8 MP. At the same time, various sources were claiming that Apple is determined to improve the next iPhone’s camera capabilities by adding optical image stabilization and numerous other improvements.
Nevertheless, a fresh report hints that the iPhone 6 might actually come with a 10 MP or larger camera. Additionally, according to the source, the handset’s camera will have an f/1.8 aperture and interchangeable resin lenses. These rumors about interchangeable lenses have also been backed up by the fact that Apple was issued two patents not too long ago, concerning various methods of attaching and changing camera lenses on an iPhone.
In addition, the lenses are said to be developed by JSR, using the new “ARTON” resin. ARTON resin lenses have various characteristics, including the ability to filter specific light wavelengths. The resin also adds an extra layer of durability and is resistant to high temperatures.
That’s all for now, but more rumors are bound to follow soon. Until then, we’d like to hear from you, so feel free to share your opinions below. Are you waiting for the iPhone 6 to hit the market? Would you consider buying a 4.8 inch (or larger) Apple smartphone?
Vlad Andrici is editor for gforgames.com and writes about technology issues. Follow Vlad on Google Plus.