There is no doubt the iPhone 6 is one of the most awaited international smartphones, and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has done everything it can to maintain the hype. To date, however, the company has only provided information on the screen interface, while keeping mum on the hardware and other specifications.
Rumors that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will unveil a bigger iPhone in 2014 to take on rival Samsung’s “phablets,” resurfaced again on Friday after a new online video appeared showing an iPhone with a massive 5.7-inch screen.
iOS 7: the Most Certain Thing About iPhone 6
The one thing most certain about iPhone 6 is that it will run on iOS 7. The new platform, which is a complete overhaul of the OS, was announced at WWDC 2013. The new platform has rounded icons, striking colors and a stark font along with features like Control Center, AirDrop and iTunes Radio.
iOS 7 is expected to be released in September or October.
iPhone 6 Features
The iPhone 6 will certainly have improved Siri capabilities. The voice command feature allows the user to control some of the phone settings like play a past voice mail, turn on Bluetooth, and increase the brightness settings.
The new iPhone will definitely have a better and improved Safari browser. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has added a unified search and URL field, similar to that in Google Chrome. Apple has also removed the navigation bars until needed.
Apple’s new iTunes Radio will also be a part of iPhone 6. The service includes radio stations built around a favorite artist, and featured stations. The radio service will be connected to the Apple ID.
More Rumored Features of iPhone 6
A two minute clip by T3, shows a 5.7-inch form factor of an iPhone, with 1920 x 1080 retina display at 386 pixels per inch. The pixel density is higher than that of iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 5.
The bigger device will have an A7 quad-core processor and will run on the yet-to-be-launched iOS 7. The height is expected to be 151.8 mm (5.9 inches), width 80.5 mm (3.16 inches), depth: 7.6 mm (0.30 inches) and weight: 180 grams (6.34 ounces).
Talks of a bigger iPhone have not been new; recently a report from Reuters unofficially dubbed the next year’s iPhone iteration as “iPhone 6,” and claimed that the device may be available in least two bigger screen sizes, 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch.
The iPhone 6 is, also, expected to be waterproof and could have an RSS reader, which Apple has been rumored to be making for a while. Also, the device may be available in 16GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128GB variants.
According to Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, the new iPhone will have a better battery.
iPhone 6 Camera
Apple acquired camera sensors Sony, so we may witness a 13-megapixel sensor that requires less space without compromising image quality.
In May, Apple Insider reported on a patent allowing the iPhone to remotely control other illuminating devices, meaning extra flashes. The new technology works in a similar fashion to those in professional photography studios.
iPhone 6 Casing
As per many reports for iPhone 6, Apple is working on plastic cases, which allows internal parts to be seen from outside. However, it still is not clear that such cases are being worked up for the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6. Rumors in early June 2013 pointed at a $399 price point for the cheap iPhone 6.
iPhone 6 Release Date
Peter Misek, an analyst at Jefferies, reported in April that the iPhone 6 may arrive in 2014 with a bigger display. According to Misek, the iPhone maker is getting the supply chain right for the production of “iPhone 6,” but it might take around 3 to 4 quarters to develop and manufacture the device. The delay is mainly due to time lost in making a shift in the handset’s display technology.
The rumored iPhone 6 released date could be in August, or on Labor Day, September 2.
Wal-Mart stores are fire-selling the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S for $129 and $39 respectively, suggesting they want to clear the inventory as fast as possible. While Apple is saying that iOS 7 will arrive in the “fall”, implying the iPhone 6 will arrive along with it, the fact that Wal-Mart is clearing its inventory indicates it expects to sell the iPhone 6 by this time next month.
iPhone 6 vs. Android
With the details that have been leaked, it clearly indicates that the new device will tempt Android users to switch platforms. Let’s find out how:
* Apple CEO Tim Cook has been modest in saying that Apple is not doing multiple iPhone screen sizes currently, meaning the iPhone 6 may present users with a choice of screen sizes. This takes away the biggest hardware advantage enjoyed by Galaxy devices.
* The iOS 7, the on screen interface for the iPhone 6, is a complete makeover from the previous platform. The new OS offers multitasking and power management features that haven’t worked well on Android devices.
* The last three iPhone models were almost similar in styling therefore Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) knows very well that, with iPhone 6, it will have to come up with a new look to attract Android users.
* Apple Maps 2.0, which may accompany iPhone 6, will certainly be an eye catching feature. Apart from this, iPhone is the first destination of popular apps like Vine and Instagram, which do force Android users to think that, in the app world, they’re second class citizens.
Expected iPhone 6 Price
Generally, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) prices the new models similar to the earlier ones, and in such a competitive scenario, it can’t be expected to do anything different. So, assuming the same, a report from Expertviews estimates the 32GB model to cost £529, the 64GB model £599, and the 128GB model £699.
With no specific date available one thing is sure—the iPhone 6 will be available next year, but for this year, the Cupertino-based firm is expected to come out with two new devices, toward the second-half of the year—the “iPhone 5S,” and a low-cost version of the iPhone in plastic casing, primarily for mass markets like India and China.
