With the new iPhone expected to be announced in the next few months, the rumor mill has heated up with talk of possible iPhone 5 specs. There’s no doubt that the device will sport a number of upgrades, but there are questions about exactly what will be different. Some of the latest rumors have pointed at aspects like 4G LTE access, an updated design and more.
One of the hottest points of discussion has been the screen size. Just before the unveiling of the iPhone 4S, alleged shots of cases for the new device leaked. These cases were built for an iPhone with a larger 4″ screen and a thinner build. Of course, the iPhone 4S was eventually announced with exactly the same screen size and build as the other iPhones before it. Still, these leaked cases showed that Apple was obviously considering a larger screen, and as we get closer to the iPhone 5 release date these rumors have been projected onto the upcoming device.
If the new iPhone includes a larger screen, it will represent a massive leap for the brand. While other smartphones have gotten larger, the iPhone has stayed consistent with its 3.5″ screen and handheld build. If Apple were to push the screen size to 4″, it would be a leap forward for the entire industry and a huge boost for the push towards larger screens.
Another rumor regarding the new iPhone relates to the processor in it. The iPhone 4S was the first phone in the lineup to sport a dual-core processor, and that might already be outdated when the new iPhone ships this fall. That’s because some of the latest rumors have pegged the new iPhone 5 specs to include a quad-core processor, similar to the one that speculation says will be in the iPad 3. The inclusion of such a processor, as well as updates to iOS to take advantage of it, would easily make the next iPhone the fastest model yet.
4G LTE access has been yet another part of the new iPhone that’s been discussed heavily. Major carriers, namely Verizon, have rolled out their LTE networks to cover most of their users. Virtually all of the latest Android smartphones have included LTE access, so it seems logical that the iPhone5 would include it. Whether or not this happens will be completely dependent on whether Apple can avoid battery life issues. Early LTE devices have been plagued with battery life issues, and there’s no chance that Apple will release an LTE-enabled iPhone 5 if it means that the device’s battery life will suffer as a result.
Other rumors about the new iPhone have revolved around Siri, the possibility of an HD screen and the evolution of Siri. The only thing that’s truly concrete at this point is that a new iPhone will be out later this year, and it will likely be released for Verizon, AT&T and Sprint again. Other than that, every detail about the hardware in the iPhone 5 is still in play for speculation. With all of the potential surrounding it, it’s certainly a device worth waiting for. The millions of iPhone fans out there will surely agree.
