Rumor roundup: Detailed information on iPhone 5 features, specs, release time and price

For a long time period, people have been guessing about the detailed information about the next generation of iPhone. Now, only a few yards away from the rumored official release of iPhone 5 on Apple’s Sep. 12th event, things seem to be clearer. Since the existing rumors and speculations, we might get a general acknowledgement about the iPhone 5. And today, right before the official release of iPhone 5, I would like to make a guess on iPhone 5 specs and features upon different rumors, to see how many features I could get here.

Name

The name of the next generation of iPhone is always a big concern for all people. Just like the fifth generation of iPhone and the third generation of iPad, which are named respectively iPhone 4S and the new iPad, the next generation of iPhone, actually the sixth generation of Apple iPhone, might get some difference from its traditional way of naming. But it is highly believed to be under the name of iPhone 5. This could be concluded from the invitations Apple sent for the September 12^th event. Also, while the upcoming iPhone is the sixth generation, the name iPhone 5 in fact shows some difference from iPhone 6.

Design

Well, if there is one thing people might get the same opinion, it is the design: all believe it to be bigger and thinner. It is bigger so as to meet the 16:9 aspect ratio, while with a slim phone body less than 8mm thickness. As for the appearance, it is believed the next iPhone would be similar to its predecessors.

Display

Display is also a big concern. The iPhone 5 is going to bigger 4" LCD screen with a resolution of 1136 by 640 pixels, which sports a very high pixel density of 326ppi, just like on the iPhone 4S Retina Display. This would make it excellent to watch HD movies on iPhone 5. With an aspect ratio of 16:9, iPhone 5 produces quite amazing experience for movies, YouTube videos, video games, etc.

Processor

Until right now, there’s little information about the processor of the upcoming iPhone. We can make some conclusion from spy shots that iPhone 5 is going to run on the Apple A6 chip supposedly made by Samsung, not Apple’s own A5X SoC and A5 processor. What makes the A5X better than the A5 is the mighty GPU, but the new iPhone won't really require that much GPU power for HD Retina Display. Therefore, it seems logical Apple to develop a new processor with performance suitable for the new iPhone and power efficiency to ensure decent battery life.

Camera

Well, for the camera, there’s not big improvement in the next iPhone, still an 8MP camera on the rear, just like iPhone 4S’ camera and getting the same performance in shooting as that of iPhone 4S. But the front camera is said to be improved to support HD video calls over FaceTime.

LTE and NFC

Obviously, none expects the next iPhone without LTE support, just like the new iPad. Currently, there’re quite a lot of smartphones in the market supports LTE network connectivity. But for the patent issue with Samsung, it seems that Apple might get difficulty to add LTE support in iPhone 5. As for NFC (Near Field Communication), people have been looking forward to this ever before iPhone 4S, but it still seems to be less likely in iPhone 5.

Software

Very few people would doubt the iOS 6 in iPhone 5, which means that the new iPhone would at least include around 200 new features, including Apple's new 3D maps with turn-by-turn navigation, deep Facebook integration, FaceTime over Cellular, and many more.

Nano SIM card

There’ve reports that the next iPhone would adopt Nano SIM cards, which are even smaller and therefore leave more precious room inside the device for additional circuitry. So yeah, folks that are upgrading will have to get a Nano SIM card from their carrier and won't be able to pop in their old one, which is a slight, but manageable inconvenience.

Accessories

We expect seeing a new, smaller dock connector on the new iPhone, not the well-known, but kind of old 30 pin one. Therefore, included will be a new cable that owners will use to hook up their smartphone to a computer, or to simply charge its battery. A smaller dock connector will also free up some valuable space inside of the device, so that additional components can be installed, just like what the introduction of Nano SIM cards will do. Another accessory that might be altered is the wired headset. Photos that were leaked a few days ago suggest that the earphones have been redesigned, but whether that rumor holds water or not will become known in about a week.

Battery life

Battery has always been the concern for all smartphones, especially for such successful phones like iPhone. Since it would be bigger, the battery life seems to be even more important. It is reported that the new iPhone's battery shows a 1,440mAh cell, which is not enough even compared to the iPhone 4S’ 1,430mAh battery. Of course, Apple might have balanced things out by applying some advanced power management techniques, but we'll be keeping our fingers crossed for a bigger battery up to the smartphone's announcement.

Launch date and pricing

The release date is for sure to be September 12^th, while the launch date is expected to be September 21^st. Nothing is certain as far as pricing is concerned, yet judging by what previous models have been priced at, a base model with 16 gigs of storage will probably cost $199 with a 2-year contract. Doubling its storage will probably cost you an extra $100, and a 64GB model will most likely be priced at a cold $399 on contract.

Ready for September 12th Event: iPhone 5, AirPlay Direct and Probably iPad Mini

Previously, there had been rumors that Apple would introduce iPhone 5 on the special September 12th event. Now, from all rumors and sources hot online, this saying seems to be more reliable. On the special September 12^th event, Apple would not only introduce the iPhone 5, but probably other wonderful gadgets as well, including 7-inchiPad Mini and AirPlay Direct, though according to Gizmodo, well-connected and professional Apple dot-connector John Gruber is disputing the previous report about a dual-announcement of the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini and hinting that it makes more sense for Apple to hold two different events and announce the iPhone 5 on Sept. 12th and then wait until October to introduce the iPad Mini.

"First, an iPhone event, focused solely on the new iPhone and iOS 6. Then, the iPhone ships nine days later, and there's another wave of iPhone-focused attention as the reviews come out," Gruber explained. "Then, in the first or second week of October, Apple holds its traditional 'music event,' exactly along the lines of the events at which they've been debuting new iPods for the last decade.

At least we’re sure that the iPhone 5 is most likely to be released on September 12^th event. From the rumors hot online, the next generation of Apple iPhone will be fully upgraded in various aspects. Features of iPhone 5 include:

9 Pin Dock Connector in place of the previous 30 Pin Dock Connector;

Larger screen (probably 4.0 inches compared to the 3.6 inches screen on iPhone 4S), thinner built;

LTE connectivity and faster processor;

NFC and passbook;

No Youtube and Google maps.

Meanwhile, a report on Tuesday claims inside knowledge of a new AirPlay feature Apple will allegedly introduce at its widely rumored Sept. 12 special event, with the new technology allowing users to stream audio directly to HiFi units or speakers without a Wi-Fi network. According to people familiar with Apple's plans, the so-called AirPlay Direct tech will require only an iDevice and compatible audio equipment for music streaming, doing away with the feature's current need of a Wi-Fi network, reports the Telegraph.

Apple iPhone 5 is Reported to Be Released on A September 12th Event

For the official release of Apple’s next iPhone, probably named as iPhone 5, there’re many speculations. At present, the most reliable information about the official introduction is that the iPhone 5 would be released this fall, with no specific date. But now, according to the latest report from Reuters, who cited their news from iMore, the next Apple iPhone may get unveiled at a major September 12^th event.

"(Reuters) - Apple Inc is gearing up to unveil a new product at a major September 12 event, a source familiar with the plan said, presaging the long-awaited launch of the redesigned iPhone."

According from the source, the September 12^th date may shift. Taking peak holiday shopping season into consideration, the company is mostly to make the gadget to hit store shelves around this period.

As for the features of the new iPhone, it is said that the next iPhone would help revolutionize the mobile industry with a thinner phone body. The larger screen display with higher screen resolution let users watch HD videos on iPhone 5 freely and easily. Just like the Retina Display screen on the new iPad, the new iPhone would surely produce satisfactory visual effect for users. The source also indicates that the device would have a smaller dock connector. 

New rumor supports iPhone 5 featuring 4 inch screen display via people familiar with the situation from WSJ

The long anticipated Apple iPhone 5 has been discussed quite a lot. It’s for sure that all of people would like to expect a more wonderful new iPhone in all aspects, like larger screen display, higher screen resolution, more practical functions, better battery performance, etc. The latest report from WSJ cited that orders for new 4-inch-plus displays for the iPhone 5 will only commence in June, further suggesting a fall release.

The report, filed by Lorainne Luk and Juno Osawa, further support the wide-held belief that the new iPhone will feature a screen size increase somewhere in the 4-inch range, which means it would be more enjoyable for owners to watch HD videos on iPhone 5. This may not come as big news to those who have been following iPhone 5 rumors for the past year or so, but the WSJ article’s claims regarding the production and order schedule for the iPhone 5’s new display is noteworthy:

“Production is set to begin next month for the screens, which measure at least 4 inches diagonally compared with 3.5 inches on the iPhone 4S, the latest phone from Apple, the people said.”

The slogan for this year’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference, the event that Apple used to announce previous iPhone iterations up until last year, is “It’s the Week We’ve all Been Waiting For.” With the WSJ now asserting that iPhone 5 production has yet to officially begin, and a report from earlier in the week claiming that, according to the Foxconn CEO, the iTV will not see production commence until later in the year, it remains to be seen what Apple will release at this year’s WWDC that will live up to its own slogan.

iOS 6 and a new generation of MacBooks seems like a foregone conclusion, but it remains to be seen if these releases would “wow” Appledom to the level that would make WWDC week seem like “the week we’ve all been waiting for.”