We’ve officially stepped into the second quarter of the year, which means that we’re getting closer and closer to the launch of the next iPhone, whenever that may be. As such, rumors and leaks surrounding the next Apple flagship have continued to surface, and will most likely continue to do so until the smartphone becomes official.
The latest batch of rumors targets the smartphone’s specifications, the technologies that might make it into the device, and of course, the handset’s alleged release time frames. In other words, if you’re an Apple enthusiast, you’re looking forward to the release of the iPhone 6 and new leaks and rumors get you excited, then you’ve come to the right place. Below you will find a roundup of the latest and more interesting speculations surrounding the next Apple flagship phone, that have hit the web within the past several weeks.
Sapphire Screen
In the past it has been speculated that Apple will use sapphire glass for its displays, and it seems that the rumors have eventually died off (at least for now). The reason for this is because, according to Taiwan supply chain insiders cited by the Chinese media, the iPhone 6 will not feature sapphire glass on top of the display due to low yield issues, despite the fact that the Cupertino giant has had some iPhone test units boasting this type of screen. On the brighter side, the same sources suggest that Apple will use sapphire glass for its upcoming smartwatch.
Screen Size Rumors and Launch Timeframes
It’s been months since the idea that Apple will build a larger screen iPhone hit the media. There have been numerous reports concerning the iPhone 6′s display dimensions, some suggesting that the panel will measure 4.7 inches.
The more interesting part, however, is that according to reports from Nikkei, the Cupertino-based company has a second iPhone in the works that boasts a 5.5-inch display. Allegedly, both the 4.7-inch device and the “iPhablet” will hit the shelves at the same time. If these rumors turn out to be correct, a 5.5-inch iPhone would make things very interesting on the mobile market and we might see a considerable number of Android users migrating over to the iOS camp – whether they’re ex-iOS users or Android enthusiasts who have turned down iPhones before due to the screen dimensions.
There have been various other leaks that have further strengthened the idea that the next iPhone will pack a larger screen. Not too long ago, what seemed to be a case mold prototype for the device has leaked out, suggesting that the smartphone will indeed feature at least a 4.7-inch panel.
As for the smartphone’s release time frame, it seems like most display-related rumors are being accompanied by theories on when the iPhone will hit the market. Earlier reports were suggesting that the device could hit the market in July, alongside iOS 8, but more recent reports have indicated that Apple will stick to its regular launch schedule. In other words, the next gen iPhone might actually be unveiled in September.
This brings us to yet another hint suggesting that Apple may be working on a 5.5-inch iPhone, as Japan Display has recently showcased a Quad HD 5.5 inch display (resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels), which will be mass produced starting in April. Given the timeframe, the screen’s specs and the idea that Apple will rely heavily on Japan Display for its iPhone’s screens, the general consensus is that the aforementioned QHD 5.5 panel will in fact be the one used for the “iPhablet.”
On the other hand, there have also been reports indicating that the screens for the iPhone 6 will enter mass production in May. This time-frame doesn’t bode well with the previous theory concerning Japan Display’s QHD panel, but it can also mean that the 4.7-inch panels will be manufactured in May, whereas the 5.5-inch displays will enter mass production earlier, in April.
Design
With the iPhone 5S refresh being the latest Apple smartphone, everyone expects the iPhone 6 to feature a new design that would distance itself from the iPhone 5 and 5S formula. This is where things get quite interesting.
Several days ago, the schematics for the next iPhone(s) allegedly leaked on the web. The documentation includes exact measurements too, and the 4.7 inch device is supposedly going to measure 137 x 66 x 7 mm. Interestingly enough, a 5.7 inch iPhone has also been spotted in the same documentation, boasting overall dimensions of 157 x 77 x 6.7 mm. Supposedly, these schematics showcase the overall dimensions of two plastic iPhones, namely the next gen 6C.
But, the story doesn’t end here, as a different image obtained by the French blog NoWhereElse has also hit the web, depicting a new set of schematics for the next iPhone. This time around, the measurements and specifications are completely different from those revealed in the first batch of schematics. To begin with, the handset appears to be very wide and not too tall, hinting at an odd 4:3 screen aspect ratio. As for measurements, they’re rather ludicrous, and suggest that the gadget would be 85 mm wide. This would make the smartphone even wider than the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (79.2 mm) and even the HTC One max (82.5 mm).
In other words, you should read these leaked schematics with a pinch of salt.
Aside from these documents, a handful of pictures coming from a Foxconn insider (supposedly) have traveled around the web in a short amount of time. These images showcase what appears to be the next iPhone in a “testing cage,” and reveal what seems to be some sort of sensor on the back panel (possibly for the rumored Healthbook function), rounder corners, and antenna “lines” across the back cover.
Camera
Last but not least, there have also been reports concerning the next iPhone’s camera. According to these reports that initially surfaced on the Chinese social network Weibo, the next iPhone will come with a bigger sensor measuring 1/2.6 inches, Optical Image Stabilization, an f/2.0 aperture and 6P sapphire lens. Supposedly, most of the components will be manufactured by SHARP and LG, while the CMOS sensor will be delivered by Sony.
This pretty much wraps up this latest rumor roundup, so as always, we invite you to join us in the comment section below with thoughts and opinions.
Vlad Andrici is editor for gforgames.com and writes about technology issues. Follow Vlad on Google Plus.