Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s key rival Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) is set to launch its flagship smartphone Galaxy S5 in Barcelona today. But the Cupertino-based tech giant’s iPhone 6 is unlikely to come before June this year, with some analysts suggesting a September release. According to DigiTimes, when the iPhone maker has to bring a new product to the market, that product enters the supply chain 6-9 months before the actual launch date.
That’s what allows KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo to tap into his supply chain sources in Taiwan and China and reveal the features of the new device. Kuo has an exceptional track record predicting features of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s upcoming products. And the iPhone 6 is unlikely to be different. Here are the three things Ming-chi Kuo and the supply chain sources have been talking about repeatedly, suggesting that these three features are nothing less than confirmed to appear in the iPhone 6.
iPhone 6 to offer you mobile payment service
The rumor mill and supply chain sources have been abuzz about an enhanced TouchID for the iPhone 6. According to Business Insider, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Tim Cook has given strong indications that the TouchID fingerprint scanner will go far beyond keeping the device exclusive to its owner. It would also protect user’s data from hackers. Cook said during the company’s recent earnings call that mobile payment is an area that has intrigued Apple, and that was one of the reasons the tech giant introduced TouchID.
TouchID makes your smartphone very secure, so the iPhone becomes a perfect device for mobile payments. Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has also urged Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to foray into mobile payment service using the robust security of the TouchID sensor.
A8 processor
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) surprised the markets by introducing the 64-bit A7 processor with the iPhone 5S. Reports indicate that the iPhone 6 will have an improved A8 processor. TSMC will reportedly be producing all of the A8 chips for the Cupertino-based company, and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) is now off the iOS supply chain list. The Korean company is likely to get back to Apple with the A9 chip in 2015.
iPhone 6 with sapphire glass cover
Many iPhone users have complained about the screens routinely break or crack when the device is accidentally dropped. But the iPhone 6 is likely to be even stronger than concrete. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has invested $578 million to let GT Advanced Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:GTAT) produce sapphire glass, which is known for its sturdiness. The company plans to start manufacturing sapphire at its Arizona plant this month.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) introduced sapphire to iOS devices when it was first used in the iPhone 5 camera lens. In the iPhone 5S, sapphire formed the tough covering for the Home button where the fingerprint sensor is embedded. And reports claim that sapphire will play a much bigger role in the iPhone 6. It confirms that the Corning gorilla glass won’t appear on the front panel of the iPhone 6.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930)’s Galaxy S5 is rumored to be waterproof. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) also owns a patent for waterproof display technology. But it’s still unclear whether the iPhone maker will use the technology in the iPhone 6.
