Apple introduced the original iPhone back in 2007, instantly obsoleting every other smartphone on the planet. The iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, Apple lowered prices an mainstreamed mobile. The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s took the world to Retina and Siri. The iPhone 5 got taller and LTE faster. And now the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c put the future at our fingertips, today. What's next for Apple? Likely two new iPhones for 2014, including a continuation of the existing 4-inch line, and an all-new up to 5-inch iPhone 6.
Apple iPhone 6
The presumptive name for Apple's next-generation iPhone is iPhone 6. Yes, it will be the 8th generation phone in Apple's product lineup, internally referred to as iPhone7,1, but don't let those numbers distract you. Apple can call any phone it releases by any marketing name it wants and the next number after 5/5s is 6. So, iPhone 6.
iPhone 6 release date speculation
If Apple holds to the same pattern as the last two years, the iPhone 6 will be announced on or around September 9, 2014, with a release date of September 19, 2014. That said, Apple doesn't always hold to patterns. There's never been less than a year between iPhone releases but there were some 16 months between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4s. There were, however, only 6 months between the iPad 3 and iPad 4, so no release date is confirmed until Apple announces an event and tells us what it is.
Update: September 9 is gaining momentum as the iPhone 6 announce date.
iPhone 6 screen size rumors
For a long time now rumors have swirled about Apple going to a larger display size for the iPhone 6. The original iPhone had a 3.5-inch 480x320 standard density display. The iPhone 4 took things to 960x640 double-density "Retina" and the iPhone 5 to 4-inches and 1136x640 double-density. That's a pattern of steady improvements every two years on the two years, and if Apple sticks to it, we're due another. If the rumors are true, both 4.7- and 5.5-inch models are coming our way this year.
Update: The 4.7-inch model is sounding more and more likely while the 5.5-inch model is sounding like it might follow along later.
Questions remain as to resolution, with @3x — 1704x960 — rumored at the low end and 2K — 2560x1440 — rumored at the high end. Also called QHD, 1440p phone from other manufacturers are already starting to hit the market, so while insane, it's doable. New, scalable interface tools have been added to Xcode 6 storyboards, so anything really is possible right now.
If Apple stays conservative they could scale up the interface this year, add more pixels come iPhone 7 in 2016. If they still have their foot down on the gas, however, maybe we'll see a leap forward just as spectacular as 2010.
iPhone 6 sensors and specs
Keeping to the pattern theme, ever iPhone announced since the iPhone 4 has had a new, custom chipset announced along with it. That suggests the iPhone 6 should come along with a 64-bit Apple A8 system-on-a-chip (SoC). That would also mean improvements to the iSight camera's image signal processor (ISP) and even better photos.
The M7 motion coprocessor could likewise be updated to M8. Other manufacturers are including natural language and context coprocessors, so there's no telling what else could be done there. Code for barometers and air pressure sensors has reportedly been found in the iOS 8 beta, so new sensors could be along for the ride as well.
Touch ID is already great from a hardware perspective, but with Apple's PrimSense acquisition, perhaps Kinect-like motion sensing could be integrated into the iSight camera as well.
Speaking of which, Apple has also been working on cameras since the iPhone 4 and if they keep doing that, we should get more with the iPhone 6 as well. Some of that will no doubt be software, things like dynamic focus, but perhaps Apple could squeeze some better hardware in as well, especially optical image stabilization (OIS).
iPhone 6 radios
Apple already has one of the best, most compatible LTE radios in the world in the iPhone 5s. If anything, it can only get better in the iPhone 6. It's doubtful Apple would stoop to support dead technologies, like adding a second, battery-wasting radio for voice + data on Verizon's aging CDMA network.
802.11ac Wi-Fi, however, is likely. Apple already supports it on the Mac and with their AirPort line of routers.
Near-field communication (NFC) is again being rumored for the iPhone. Apple has tested it in previous years but decided to stick with Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE) for proximity.
iPhone 6 health and iWatch
In conjunction with iOS 8 and the rumored iWatch, the iPhone 6 could also be part of Apple's next big push — health.
Things like counting steps are already commonplace on the iPhone. With the Health app shipping standard come this fall, it'll be interesting to see just how far Apple can take lifestyle and wellbeing on the phone.
Alleged images of 'iPhone 6L' showcase 2915 mAh battery, display and logic board
Apple is heavily rumored to be considering two different screen sizes for theiPhone 6, with one model claimed to feature a 4.7-inch display and the other a 5.5-inch screen size. While there have been a steady stream of leaks referencing the 4.7-inch model, there hasn't been much in the way of leaked images when it comes to the 5.5-inch variant, until now. Taiwanese blog Apple Daily seems to be one of the first to post alleged photos of the device, which the website claims will be called the iPhone 6L.
iPhone 6 event rumored for September 9
The images showcase a larger and wider display panel, and also compares the display of the 4.7-inch model next to the 5.5-inch variant. The credibility of the photos is still up for grabs, but by taking a closer look we can see that the screw housing, circuit board anchors and flex cables are in the exact same locations as they were on the smaller 4.7-inch model, which is unlikely given the larger and wider nature of the 5.5-inch panel.
Apple Daily also claimed to uncover the logic board, which looks identical to the logic board of the 4.7-inch model. While logic board components of the next-generation iPhone have leaked before, this is the first time we're looking at the alleged 2,915 mAh battery unit for the iPhone 6L. In comparison, the 4.7-inch iPhone is claimed to feature an 1,800 mAh battery, and the current-gen iPhone 5s has a 1,560 mAh unit. At this stage, it is unknown whether the larger battery will provide a long battery life, or whether it is a necessity owing to the larger screen and beefier processor.
The iPhone 6 is allegedly slated for an official unveil on September 9, although there is no indication as of now to suggest that both versions of the device will be announced at the same time. It is likely that the larger screen variant will be launched at a later date.
Are you looking forward to the 5.5-inch variant of the iPhone? What do you think of the iPhone 6L name?
iPhone 6 event rumored for September 9
Apple is reportedly planning a September 9 unveiling for the iPhone 6. As we said back in January, this date holds with a pattern that Apple has established over the last couple of years, ever since the September 2012 reveal of the iPhone 5. FromRe/code:
A few weeks from now we'll get our first look at what he was talking about. Apple has scheduled a big media event for Tuesday, Sept. 9 — a date to which Apple numerologists will strain to attribute significance. As with September events past, the focal point of this one is to be Apple's next-generation iPhones, which are expected to feature larger displays of 4.7 and 5.5 inches and run speedy new A8 processors. Apple declined comment.
