iPhone 6 Release Date Pushed Up To May 2014 [REPORT]

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) may launch its next generation iPhone sooner than expected, suggests the latest report from Digitimes. According to Digitimes’ supply chain sources, Apple is expected to roll out a larger display iPhone 6 for May 2014 powered by a 20nm processor manufactured and supplied by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

iPhone 6 could come sooner than expected

A bigger iPhone 6 would compete against Samsung phablets like the Galaxy Note 3. If the report about the launch is true then it would probably be the first time that Apple would launch an iPhone so close to the release of its latest iPhone 5s, but it could be a good move for Apple not to delay the bigger size iPhone with rivals planning a plethora of new devices.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) may hurry to launch the bigger display iPhone as Samsung has already released phablets in the Asian market. It is expected that, in its agreement with China Mobile, Apple might have added the upcoming products.

iPhone 6 may not have curved screen

According to reports from the Korea Herald, the upcoming iPhone 6 might not sport a curved display. The curved screen has already been adopted by Samsung in its Galaxy Round and by LG in its G Flex, but it would not be seen in the iPhone 6. The report noted that the Samsung Display and LG display are facing issues in producing enough screens for their existing curved phones.

Analyst Kim Jong Hyun from Eugene Investment & Securities said that the current capacity for curved screen panels is not much for the Galaxy S5. He added that curved phones would be available as a Galaxy variant rather than as the flagship model.

Another analyst, John Seo at Shinhan Investment, said that it is very unlikely that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would bring a curved display to its phone next year, but it could be possible in 2015.

Wraparound might not be viable

It is also difficult to believe as of now that the iPhone 6 would come with wraparound technology as the screen will extend up to the sides of the phone, which does not seem viable. If the screen covers the sides of the phone it would be difficult for the user to hold the phone.

Peter Zigich, a designer by profession, published some concept designs of iPhones. Zigich has published designs of a hypothetical iPhone mini, iPhone 6 and iPhablet. There are pictures by other designers showcasing the iPhone with wraparound screen and also edge-to-edge screens along with a trackpad-like home button.

Other rumors surrounding the display

Reading the tea leaves from the latest patent, the upcoming iPhone 6 might also adopt wraparound technology with AMOLED screen, which would be similar to the fourth generation iPod Nano. In the patent, it was revealed that the screen can be unrolled or unfolded. Facial-recognition, gesture control and the layering of screens to create a 3D display were also described in the patent.

There have been a series of reports on the alleged features and specifications of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone 6 suggesting that the next generation iPhone would have a 5-inch display, which is bigger when compared to previous iPhones, but smaller than the Galaxy Note 3.

It was reported that Apple is trying to produce a 4.8-inch Retina+IGZO screen made by Sharp. The screen of the new iPhone is expected be more suave, brighter and have better resolution.

Features that could make iPhone 6 more attractive

The next iPhone may feature Sonar instead of infrared sensors, according to a report from AppleInsider. The technology would assist the user to find the phone. Also, the phone would have a “smart bezel” according to another patent. Smart bezel technology would hold the flashing buttons and symbols that will integrate with the on-screen actions.

The latest iPhone from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is expected to have a new Lytro-style camera revealed in a separate patent. In the patent, it is suggested that Apple has developed the technology that could shoot light field photographs with a much smaller lens. Through the lytro technology, the photos can be refocused after snapping them. If Apple sports Lytro technology it would become the first tech company to integrate the technology in its smartphone or tablet.

Many experts are expecting that Apple could bring a little change in its name like it did for its iPad by naming the latest iPad as iPad Air. So, if the new iPhone comes with a tag Air or anything else, one should not be surprised.

Other expected features

There are other reports that reveal the storage capacity that Apple is keen to offer in its upcoming iPhone. The new iPhone would have the storage capacity of 128GB, an increase from the top end 64 GB handset. However, the question remains whether Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would use the same technology it uses in the iPad for its iPhone.

According to a patent, the iPhone maker would embed a fingerprint sensor including Near Field Communication technology, which would help in functions like wireless payment, data transfers, media playback and more. The new chip could be featured into upcoming iPhone 6.

Eye tracking technology has become the most popular feature in the smartphones, and Apple is expected to include the technology in its next iPhone. It is highly possible that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would bring in some sort of motion technology in its next iPhone.

The iPhone 6 is expected to have iOS8, which would be more or less similar to the recently launched iOS7. Other expected features would be advanced Bluetooth, wireless technology, sapphire crystal and enhanced storage.

Not all rumored specifications and features seem to be practical, but some of them definitely do. Even though the web is flooded with the talks of the iPhone 6, there is no official comment on any features or specifications. Every now and then, one or the other news on the iPhone 6 creeps up making it difficult for fans to keep track, but don’t worry, we will be here to update you on all important news concerning your favorite hypothetical gadget.