We've rounded-up all the rumours on Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 6 to see what the device might have in store.
Rumours of the iPhone 6 have been around since the iPhone 5 launched and have gone hand-in-hand with rumours of the iPhone 5S.
Indeed, no one is really clear on whether the next iPhone model will stick to the ‘S’ convention Apple established with the iPhone 4S, or if the company is returning to its roots and going straight to the iPhone 6.
Even more complications get thrown into the mix when you factor in rumours of multiple handset launches aimed at different sections of the market, but we’ll come back to that.
At present, it’s quite normal to see any rumour surrounding Apple’s next iPhone to be pegged for both the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 6, such is the uncertainty.
However, it’s also true that a few select rumours have been aimed at just the iPhone 6 specifically, particularly in cases which suggest the iPhone 6 will come on its own, later, and after a separate and distinct iPhone 5S launch.
Hardware
The most recent, and arguably most prominent rumour surrounding the iPhone 6 points to the idea that it’ll feature a next-gen Apple A7 processor, which may, or may not, be a quad-core model. The story goes that Apple is soon to begin work on the 20 nanometre A7 chip with the help of TSMC, but that it won’t be ready for production until the first quarter of 2014.
This would suggest that, if it turns up in the iPhone 6, that said phone won’t show up until next year and in the meantime we’ll be treated to an iPhone 5S on an A6 chip, or possibly an A6X.
This does sit with some rumours which say the iPhone 5S will land in June or July, though equally similar rumours claim the model which arrives this summer will be the iPhone 6, which in turn would imply it’ll be the one toting the A6 or A6x chip.
However, other reports say Apple has been in talks with Intel over a possible manufacturing deal. It’s not clear whether Intel would simply fabricate Apple’s ARM-based designs or if it would create a completely new Intel-based chipset for the iPhone 6.
Apple’s iPhone 6 was also name-dropped in reports about next-generation hardware carrying new 5G Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, suggesting it’ll hook up to nearby routers and remote devices at much faster speeds.
It’s expected the iPhone 6 would have the same storage options as its predecessors – 16GB, 32GB or 64GB and no microSD slot. A camera upgrade is possible and we could see a 13-megapixel sensor, although there’s some suggestion Apple will stick to 8-megapixels and simply improve the aperture, sensor array and capture features.
Some rumours indicate the iPhone 6 will feature a fingerprint scanner chip and NFC capability, allowing a secure lock mode and secure NFC payment. Wireless charging has also been suggested.
Design
While there are still plenty of rumours saying Apple will stick to its conventional model of one handset at a time, murmurings persist claiming the iPhone 6 will hit the market in a number of variants for different sections of the market and at different price points.
There’s some suggestion Apple may launch a budget model, which may or may not be smaller than the iPhone 5 and might even be made of plastic.
Other rumours claim that the iPhone 6 will be larger than the current iPhone 5, anywhere between 4.2 and 4.6-inches, while further speculation points to Apple making a regular-sized iPhone 6 and a larger 4.8-inch iPhone 6 ‘XL’.
Conflicting leaks and rumours imply both that the iPhone 6 could share a very similar design language to the iPhone 5 and, conversely, that Apple will undergo something of a re-invention with the new model due to waning interest in the brand.
Multiple reports claim Apple's next iPhone will boast a range of colour options as well as the conventional white and black.
Meanwhile, a persistent rumour says the physical home button might be replaced with a capacitive 'bar', which can be pressed for Home or swiped with various gestures to perform other actions.
Aside from the exterior, it’s widely reported that Apple’s design guru Jony Ive has been assigned to oversee the development of the iOS interface, suggesting we’ll see a bold new look for Apple’s software and digital storefronts. Such a facelift is long overdue.
Further to this, Apple CEO Tim Cook is reported to have entered talks with the chief executive of Beats Audio. Rumour has it the pair discussed a possible collaboration on an Apple music streaming service in the vein of Spotify or Xbox Music.
Display
Very little has been said about the iPhone 6's display other than the varying and broader design rumours concerning the device's size. It could be anywhere from 4-inches to 4.8-inches and there might be a smaller 3.5-inch version if there's a budget model.
For the main premium model rumours point to a possible 'touch-on' display which would result in smoother touch control and there's some suggestion we may see touch controls activated from the bezel.
Release date
Multiple reports say the iPhone 6 won’t appear until 2014 where it would be expected to arrive around the middle of the year.
However, as many conflicting rumours say it will arrive this year, around June or July in-line with previous launches and possibly accompanied by other models such as the iPhone 5S, a budget variant, a large form-factor variant or all of the above.
Some sources point to October 2013 instead, however.
Price
Pricing rumours are very much tied to the varying ideas of premium and budget model iPhones.
It’s generally agreed that a direct iPhone 6 successor model would be priced the same as the current iPhone 5 – Apple’s consistent pricing scheme which has transferred from one model to the next.
This would place a 16GB model at £529, going all the way up to £699 for the 64GB version. However, if we buy into the idea that there will also be a budget model, then rumours say this could have quite a low price tag – as little as £200 according to some sources.
Likewise, a super-sized ‘XL’ model, if it still sports a premium spec and build, could potentially be more expensive than the standard model
by pbriden via Featured Articles
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