What We And Everyone Else Knows About Apple's Next iPhone

AppAdvice, like similar websites, follow and publish Apple product rumors, ad nauseam some might say. Naturally, some of these rumors eventually prove false. But there is a reason we continue publishing them and it isn’t because these stories are quite popular with our readers, which they are. Rather, we continue publishing them because most of the rumors they contain turn out to be true. Consider the case of Apple’s sixth-generation iPhone, which, depending on the source is to arrive in June, or more likely, in October. While crazy rumors persist about Apple’s next masterpiece (see the bendable iPhone, for example), most have picked up on the same details of late. So much so, that we now have a pretty good idea what the new iPhone will look like.

What we think we know

For one, for the first time, Apple will almost certainly release an iPhone with a longer screen than the previous five models. Whether Apple’s finished product is “at least 4 inches diagonally,” or something a tad smaller really doesn’t matter. The iPhone will soon be super-sized. The same goes for the type of material the next iPhone will use. In recent months, rumors have suggested Apple will dump the glass design and replace it with a metal backing. Today, for example, well-connected blogger Mark Gurman “confirmed” as such, believing that the iPhone 5 (or whatever it will be called) will have an aluminum-clad back plate. The Liquidmetal iPhone? That probably won’t happen until the seventh-generation model. Additionally, Apple’s next iPhone will be faster than its forerunner, the iPhone 4S. The current model includes Apple’s A5 processor, while the new iPad contains the speedier A5X chip set. Therefore, expect the A5X or A6 chip in the next iPhone. We'll rely on speed experts to tell us just how much faster the next iPhone will actually be versus previous models. Other likely improvements on the next iPhone include:

• A 10-megapixel iSight camera
• LTE/4G capabilities
• A new dock connector with 16, not 30, pins

Less likely, at least for this go-around: Thunderbolt capabilities, the previously mentioned Liquidmetal display, and a fully capacitive button.

About that secrecy

Apple has long been known as a company that keeps their future plans locked tight. In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook said as much at this week's D10 conference. And yet, "leaks" leading up to new product launches continue and are usually on the mark. This is what happens when a company is as popular as Apple has become. Besides, Apple isn't the only one responsible when new products are released. Manufacturers, software developers, and third-party accessory providers, for example, must also be in the loop. If they weren't, each finished product wouldn't be as successful as they always prove to be. So while Cook and company can stay on message and champion their commitment to secrecy, we know better. Leaks always happen, whether or not those leaks lead back to Apple directly. In summary, the next iPhone will be longer than the iPhone 4S/4, faster, include LTE/4G capabilities for the first time, and include a better camera. Take that to the bank, my friends. What do you want the next iPhone to look like?

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