Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is mum on its upcoming iPhone 6. But trusted sources close to the tech giant told Japanese website Mac Otakara that the iPhone 6 will feature rounded edges and a curved display glass, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S III. Mac Otakara has an impressive track record in predicting Apple’s future product designs.
iPhone 6 likely to dump the dual glass-covered antenna windows
The report suggests that the new smartphone won’t sport a convex face. Instead, it will have rounded edges to fit with the chassis. Sources said that the iPhone 6 will dump the dual glass-covered antenna windows that are used in the iPhone 5S. It’s unclear which radio transmission method Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will use in the iPhone 6.
Though KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the iPhone 6 will be launched sometime in September, recent reports suggest that the device could be launched earlier than expected. The China Post has revealed that Taiwanese company Catcher Technology will supply metal casings for the iPhone 6. According to Morgan Stanley analyst Grace Chen, Catcher Technology will ship 15% of the overall iPhone 6 casing orders or 10.5 million units through 2014.
That means Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) estimates to sell about 70 million iPhone 6 devices this year. To achieve that figure, the tech giant will need more than a quarter. It indicates that the next-generation iPhone may be announced in late second quarter or early third-quarter. Morgan Stanley says Catcher Technology would supply 20 million casings for all models of the iPhone, covering about 17% of total iPhone orders in 2014.
The phablet version of the iPhone 6 could be postponed to 2015
However, the 4.7-inch model of the iPhone 6 is likely to be launched this year. Taiwanese publication The Industrial and Commercial Times says that the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 won’t be launched until 2015. The publication said that the company producing the phablet iPhone 6 is unable to source the appropriate battery. The company is looking for a battery that lasts longer but measures less than 2mm to fit into the ultra-thin profile of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6. It’s not the first time reports surfaced about the difficulties facing the bigger iPhone. But the 4.7-inch model is steaming ahead without any hiccups, at least according to reports.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said earlier this month that the sleep/wake button in the iPhone 6 will be relocated to the side of the device to help improve one-handed use on a bigger device. Volume buttons might also be altered. The existing volume buttons are circular, but they may get a rectangular iPad Mini-style shape.
Kuo said the iPhone 6 will be significantly thinner than the iPhone 5S, which has a thickness of 7.6mm. The upcoming device will also have a narrower bezel. The iPhone 6 is speculated to sport an 8MP camera with optical image stabilization, an upgraded A8 processor, iOS 8, NFC integration, Touch ID and 1GB RAM.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares soared 8.55% to $569.61 in pre-market trading Thursday.
