Sunday, September 1, 2013

Apple iPhone 6 Release Date Nears: 5 Features And Specs To Expect Based On Rumors

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In only nine days, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) will introduce two new iPhone models at a special media event on Sept. 10, including the high-end iPhone 5S and the company's long-rumored budget iPhone, which has been given many names including iPhone 6, iPhone Light, and iPhone 5C (based on a single leaked photo of its plastic packaging). We believe Apple will simply call it "the new iPhone" (much like the iPad line, after last year's third-generation iPad release) and distinguish the high-end line with the extra "5S" moniker, but for clarity's sake, we'll call it "iPhone 6" for now.

Most attention will fall on the iPhone 5S, which will feature the newest technologies from Apple, but many want to know what will make the budget iPhone distinctive. We've been following the rumors for more than a year now, and believe that we have a great picture of what users can expect from Apple's lower-end smartphone when it is released next month.

But before we discuss some of the features of the iPhone 6, here's a little background: Most analysts believe the concept of the iPhone 6 is to offer a cheaper iPhone for people in lower income brackets and emerging markets (including China and India -- two largely untapped markets for Apple) who can't readily afford the newest high-end iPhone. Apple is particularly interested in China, as proven by multiple recent visits by Apple CEO Tim Cook to the headquarters of China Mobile Ltd. (NYSE:CHL), the largest telecommunications carrier in the world with 703 million subscribers. Many believe Apple has chosen to produce and release the cheaper iPhone 6 so it can strike a deal with China Mobile, and join the company's vast TD-LTE network.

Now, without further ado, here are five features of the iPhone 6 you should expect to see at Apple's Sept. 10 unveiling.