Those thinking about buying an iPhone in the next few months are going to face some tough decisions. For some, it will be choosing between the iPhone 5s or Apple’s 2014 iPhone, currently dubbed iPhone 6. While the iPhone 6 is still shrouded in a whole lot of mystery, we want to take a look at how the rumored device is progressing next to the iPhone 5s, Apple’s current iPhone.
Every year, Apple releases a new iPhone. In the case of last year, it was iPhones as the company debuted not one, but two new iPhone models to take on the likes of Android and Windows Phone. The iPhone 5c is the company’s plastic budget option. The iPhone 5s represents the company’s flagship model and the one that attracts the most attention. And while the iPhone 5s is the company’s flagship for the time being, there will come a time when it passes the torch.
Rumor has it, the iPhone 5s could be relinquishing the top spot as early as this summer, and it’s those rumors, and others, that have prospective smartphone shoppers on edge.
For weeks, we’ve been asked the same questions by family and friends: “Should I buy the iPhone 5s or wait for the iPhone 6?” “When is the iPhone 6 coming out?” “What will the differences be?” While we can’t answer those questions exactly, we can offer those with similar questions a look at how the iPhone 6 currently stacks up with the iPhone 5s.
Here, we do just that. While the iPhone 6 and its upcoming release date are still moving parts, we feel like we have enough information to make some comparisons in a few key areas this early. So here, we take a look at how the rumored iPhone 6 is currently matching up with Apple’s current iPhone, the iPhone 5s.
Release Date
While the iPhone 6 isn’t as exposed as the Samsung Galaxy S5, there are still some very credible rumors that allow us to start painting a picture of the device, comparing it to the iPhone 5s. Maybe the most important piece of information that smartphone shoppers seek in the early days is the release date.
Well, iPhone 6 rumors across the board point to a release either in the summer or the fall. This makes sense because Apple always announces, and releases, its new iPhone either in the summer or the fall. The company has not released a new iPhone in the summer since the iPhone 4 all the way back in June of 2010.
The Wall Street Journal claims Apple is preparing two iPhone 6 models with larger screens and that the smaller one is, “further along in development, and is being prepared for mass production,” while the larger iPhone 6 is in, “preliminary development,” according to the sources. This could explain why we’ve heard rumors that point to one iPhone release this summer with another in the fall.
Still, specific dates remain out of reach, and they likely will remain out of reach until much later in the year. Specific iPhone release date rumors typically don’t emerge until a few weeks prior to launch.
So, if these rumors are dead on and there is likely some truth to them, the earliest we’ll see a new iPhone is this summer and the latest that we’ll see an iPhone 6 is the fall. In other words, the iPhone 5s has quite a bit of life left in the tank. It also means that those who decide to wait will likely be waiting for several months.
Design
The iPhone 5s kept the same design as the iPhone 5 like ‘S’ iPhone models tend to do. However, this year’s iPhone is expected to be an iPhone 6 and Apple always changes the design with the numbered version of its iPhone. We saw it change after the iPhone 3GS launch with the iPhone 4. And we saw it changes after the iPhone 4s launch with the iPhone 5.
The iPhone 5s is one of the lightest, thinnest smartphones on the market thanks to its 7.6mm frame that weighs a mere 112 grams. Its industrial design also makes it feel like a piece of $200 hardware.
We haven’t heard too much about the iPhone 6 design but it’s reasonable to think that Apple will make some design tweaks. Just how much different the design will be is up for debate.
According to a Wall Street Journal report the iPhone 6 will use the same anodized aluminum material. A 9to5Mac report recently revealed that Apple is fast tracking the output from the Sapphire factory that it invested in during 2013. This points to the possible use of Sapphire with this year’s iPhone. Sapphire is a strong material that could be used with the iPhone 6′s display, making it nearly impossible to break.
Reports also suggest that the iPhone 6 will come with a larger display. If that’s the case, we could see a new design with thinner bezels and a new look that helps Apple keep the overall size of the iPhone down, even with the addition of a larger screen. A recent iPhone 6 concept shows what a larger iPhone could look like next to the iPhone 5s.
iPhone 6 concepts showing what larger displays could look like.
A recent report from LEDInside of TrendForceclaims that the iPhone 6 will be thinner than Apple’s previous iPhone models thanks to a shift from 0.6 mm thick LED backlights to backlights that are just 0.4 mm thick. It’s not clear how much thinner the iPhone 6 is expected to be.
At the moment, the differences are tough to gauge, but it does appear that the iPhone 6 could take design cues from the iPhone 5s, could feature a more durable screen in front, and offer a larger but thinner form factor.
Display
It’s not set in stone but it’s looking like the iPhone 6 will offer a larger screen than the 4-inch Retina display found on the iPhone 5s. Sources can’t agree on a screen size just yet, likely because Apple is still testing prototypes, but they do offer a pretty specific window that Apple is working with for its next iPhone.
We could see two iPhone 6 models with a larger screen sizes in 2014.
The Wall Street Journalbelieves the company will deliver a 4.5-inch and a 5+-inch iPhone 6. NPD DisplaySearch believes that two iPhone 6 models with higher resolution displays will be coming in 2014. A KDB Daewoo Securities report uncovered by OLED-Display includes two iPhone 6 display sizes. Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who accurately predicted many iPhone 5s features, thinks Apple is planning an iPhone 6 with a screen between 4.5-inches and 5-inches.
Here’s how that breaks down:
4.5-inch display – WSJ
4.7-inch display – 1600 x 900 resolution – NPD
4.7-inch to 4.8-inch display - 1920 x 1080 resolution – KDB
4.5-inch to 5-inch display – Kuo
5+ inch display – WSJ
5.5-inch display – 1920 x 1080 resolution – NPD
5.5-inch display – 2272 x 1280 resolution – KDB
The video below shows what iOS 7 looks like on larger screens from 4.5-inches all the way up to 5.7-inches. A larger iPhone 6 above 5-inches will challenge Apple to design a phone, and software, that continues to support the one-handed use current iPhone owners love.
Specs
A research note from KDB Daewoo Securitiesclaims a great number of possible iPhone 6 specifications. Drawing from that note and from other reports, here is a list of features currently rumored to be on board the iPhone 6.
Apple A8 64-bit processor
iOS 7.2 or iOS 8
4.5-4.8-inch and 5 -5.5-inch displays
2GB RAM
16GB / 32GB/ 64GB / 128GB storage options
3.2MP front-facing camera
8-10MP rear-facing camera
1,800 mAh battery
802.11ac WiFi
Touch ID
Here is how the iPhone 5s matches up:
Apple A7 64-bit processor
iOS 7
4-inch Retina Display
1GB RAM
16GB / 32GB / 64GB storage options
1.2MP front-facing camera
8MP rear-facing camera
1570 mAh battery
802.11 a, b, g, n Wi-Fi
Touch ID
The biggest differences from the iPhone 5s would include the change in processor. The iPhone 5s utilizes a 64-bit A7 chip and an upgrade to a new A8 would likely offer even better performance. Apple’s current iPhone uses 1GB of RAM so an increase in RAM would also help be key to areas like multitasking and gaming.
The latest Apple iPhone 6 rumors suggest an improved camera with a f1.8 aperture.
There is also chatter about an improved camera. Apple always improves its iPhone cameras year after year and this year’s camera will supposedly be an improved 8MP camera or a 10MP camera.
Another big change could be the inclusion of 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Timothy Arcuri of Cowen and Company claims that the iPhone 6 specs are “locked in” and that 802.11ac will be on board. This is a feature that enables faster Wi-Fi speeds and it’s a feature that is currently found on Apple’s new Mac lineup.
Software
iOS 8 will almost certainly be the software that debuts with the iPhone 6 and from the looks of things, it’s not going to be another major overhaul to the iOS operating system.
According to 9to5Mac, the iOS 8 update will not bring a lot of visual changes. Instead, it will pave the way for health and fitness tracking. Apple is working on an app code named Healthbook which may connect with sensors in an iPhone 6 or iWatch to help users track and manage a number of things including steps taken and calories burned.
A new iOS 8 concept from Carlos Quijano brings rumors to life, showing a health and fitness app.
It’s not clear whether or not the iPhone 6 will boast any unique features though it would not be surprising to see Apple tailor some of its apps for the larger display.
One thing that we should note is that when and if iOS 8 arrives, it will be the first major iOS update for the iPhone 5s which debuted with iOS 7 back in September. What this means is that iOS 8 will serve as a strike for the iPhone 5s. Apple tends to give devices three years of support before killing it off and that should mean a longer life for iPhone 6. That’s something prospective buyers need to keep in mind.
iPhone 6 Price
Chris Caso of Susquehanna Financial Group thinks the price of the iPhone 6 could jump up from the iPhone 5s. Caso says that his firm sees ” the potential for the iPhone 6 price point to move higher,” adding, “we think Apple could get away with a $50 to $100 premium for a larger screen size iPhone 6.” Apple’s iPhone 5s starts at $199.99 on-contract.
The iPhone 6 price could jump according to one analyst.
Thus far, this is the only iPhone 6 price rumor that we’ve seen. However, it does make sense. Apple could perhaps shift the iPhone 5s to $99, introduce a 4.5 to 4.8-inch iPhone 6 at $199 on contract and a larger than 5-inch model at $249 or $299 on contract. That’s just speculation but it makes sense given Samsung’s pricing for its Galaxy S and Galaxy Note. Source : Gottabemobile
Rumors are already starting to roll in about Apple's purported iPhone 6, according toApple Insider. The newest claims come from Chinese analyst Sun Changxu, who told Chinese-language Web siteQQ Techthat the smartphone will come in two large-screen sizes and could be unveiled as soon as June.
According to Changxu, the upcoming iPhone 6 will most likely have a 4.7-inch, 1,136-pixel-by-640 pixel display. Changxu said that Apple could release another smartphone shortly later that has a higher-resolution 5.7-inch display. Word has it that Apple will reveal its new smartphone at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
Several sources have already speculated that Apple's next iPhone will come in a larger size. In October, a handful of reports said the screen size will jump to almost 5 inches from the current 4 inches. Some analysts even pegged possible screen sizes at anywhere from 5.7 inches to 6 inches. Similarly, a report last week from DisplaySearch said the iPhone 6 could have a 5.5-inch 1920 pixel-by-1080 pixel display.
During an event launching the iPhone on China Mobile last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked whether Apple might launch an iPhone with a bigger screen or flexible display. All Cook would say, in essence, is that customers can expect some nice updates in the future.
"We never talk about future things," Cook said. "We have great things we are working on but we want to keep them secret. That way you will be so much happier when you see it."
Meanwhile, the rumored iWatch is also getting its share of speculation. According to G for Games, Apple's supposed computerized wristwatch is said to have a flexible OLED display from LG. Reportedly, LG has finalized a partnership with Apple to make 1.52-inch OLED displays for the watch. Production is said to begin later this year.
There's been talk of a purported iWatch for about a year now, yet no conclusive signs of any device have appeared. In October it was rumored that LG Display was close to signing a deal with Apple to provide the OLED displays. However, the release of the device is said to have been delayed due to screen technology decisions, battery issues, and corporate shuffling.
When will the next iPhone come out? Will it be called iPhone 6, new iPhone or something else? (Technically it'll be the 9th iPhone). And can we expect a bigger iPhone 6 to launch in 2014? Read on for all the latest iPhone 6 release date rumours, plus clues about the new iPhone's specs and features, leaked images and artists' mockup illustrations. We'll update this article as new iPhone 6 rumours come in.
When will the next iPhone come out? Will it be called iPhone 6, new iPhone or something else? (Technically it'll be the 9th iPhone). And can we expect a bigger iPhone 6 to launch in 2014? Read on for all the latest iPhone 6 release date rumours, plus clues about the new iPhone's specs and features, leaked images and artists' mockup illustrations. We'll update this article as new iPhone 6 rumours come in. Updated 14 January 2014 with new concept images, camera rumours and Liquidmetal patents.
The iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s may still be fresh in our minds, but now that 2014 has arrived, Apple watchers have begun looking ahead to the next iPhone, dubbed iPhone 6, new iPhone or iPhone 2014. When will the new iPhone 6 launch? How much will it cost in the UK? And what features and specifications can we expect? Will the iPhone 6 have a bigger screen? Here, we bring you the latest speculation to help answer those questions about the new iPhone 6.
Of course, we're talking about Apple here, so the iPhone 6 hasn't officially been announced yet and nothing is for certain. That hasn't stopped lots of juicy iPhone 6 rumours floating around, though. This article brings you all of the latest rumours about Apple's future iPhone 6, which we expect will arrive this year. Not everything here will be accurate, but we'll try to give you an idea of how plausible each rumour is.
iPhone 6 predictions: Isn't Apple too secretive for us to know anything?
Second-guessing Apple is traditionally a mug's game, but the legendarily secretive company has eased up under Tim Cook, and almost all the announcements at the 10 September press event had been correctly predicted beforehand. (Admittedly, plenty of predictions had been made that didn't come true, but pretty much everything that was announced came as no surprise to Apple rumour followers.)
Particularly accurate were the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s rumours, many of which were completely true, including new iPhone colours and new features of the iPhones. Even the fingerprint sensor was discussed in the lead up to the event.
As we discuss elsewhere, Apple isn't quite as secretive as it used to be. (Compare today's Apple, where the software and hardware design teams work hand in hand under Sir Jony Ive's supervision, to the crazy days leading up the first iPhone's launch, when half the team didn't even know what the interface would look like).
iPhone 6 rumours: Design
The iPhone 5s closely resembles the iPhone 5, with some internal changes rather than external differences between the two models, apart from the fingerprint sensor and the new gold version. The iPhone 6, however, is likely to come with some significantly redesigned features when it arrives this year.
There are several rumours regarding an update in design for the new iPhone 6. Traditionally, the “s” versions of the iPhones have maintained the design of their predecessors while the new versions (as the iPhone 6 is likely to be) have a makeover. If Apple is planning on keeping up with tradition, then we should expect a thinner and slimmer iPhone design.
iPhone 6 rumours: Liquidmetal
It's possible that the iPhone 6 will be made with Liquidmetal, as Apple has exclusive rights to the material. Plus, in November, five new Apple patents relating to Liquidmetal were published. Liquidmetal is extremely strong and durable, and therefore can be used in smaller quantities to get the same level of build quality as aluminium. This could mean an even lighter and thinner iPhone is on its way.
In January 2014, a report emerged that suggested the iPhone 6 could be the thinnest smartphone ever made thanks to Liquidmetal. The iPhone 6 could be just 6mm thick according to the report, compared with the iPhone 5s's 7.6mm.
The news comes from a Koran newspaper that suggests that Liquidmetal could be the key to making the iPhone even thinner without compromising durability.
A batch of 17 patent applications filed by Apple or Apple employees were published in early January 2014, all of which relate to Liquidmetal. Among those patents is one that suggests that Apple could use the Liquidmetal beneath switches and pressure sensors in the iPhone 6 for greater durability (which should prevent incidences like the common iPhone 4S lock button failure).
Will this super-thin iPhone be renamed the iPhone Air? With the launch of the iPad Air (the fifth-generation iPad), it's been rumoured that an iPhone Air is on its way, and that perhaps the iPhone 6 will actually be called the iPhone Air as Apple works to drop numbers from its product names.
Of course, there's also the question of screen size, which seems to be hot topic right now. Read on for more.
iPhone 6 rumours: Sapphire display
Apple is rumoured to have spent $578 million to speed up the development of sapphire glass displays destined for the iPhone 6. Sapphire glass, currently used for the iPhone 5s's Touch ID Home button and the cover of the iPhone's rear-facing camera, is more than twice as durable than Corning's Gorilla Glass, and is "virtually scratch free" according to glass makers GT Advanced Technology.
Sapphire glass could also allow Apple to make a bigger iPhone, which is one of the hottest rumours out there right now. Read on to find out more speculation about the size of the iPhone.
iPhone 6 rumours: Size
If there is one iPhone 6 rumour we're hearing more than any other, it's that the iPhone 6 will be the largest iPhone yet. Several rumours regarding the iPhone 6 support the idea that it will have a bigger 4.8-inch to 5-inch display panel.According to the rumours, Apple will probably stretch out the display panel as much as possible, leaving a super-thin bezel or even a borderless phone with edge-to-edge display.
However, Apple will probably not go as far as creating a new phablet-sized iPhone, so it's unlikely to be bigger than 5 inches.
With the popularity of bigger smartphones with larger screen sizes such as the 5in Samsung's Galaxy S4, and the 6.3in Galaxy Mega, and the rise of so called phablet devices, which fall half way between the smartphone and tablet categories by providing the functionality of a phone in a device closer to the size of a tablet, there have been calls for Apple to launch a bigger iPhone.
While we're not completely convinced about the rumours of a bigger iPhone, some analysts have said that they are "confident" that Apple will launch an iPhone with a bigger screen in 2014. Reports have suggested that the screen could be between 4.7in and 5.7in, while one analyst actually believes there will be two new iPhones, one at each of those sizes.
In September, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has an impressive Apple launch prediction track record, said that Apple is likely to launch an iPhone with a 4.5in or 5in screen in 2014, noting that Apple is unlikely to go bigger than 5in because of its "unwavering principle of one-handed use."
Also in September, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Brian White said that Apple would launch a "Mega iPhone" in 2014 to expand its reach in China and the rest of Asia, and reiterated his prediction in October following a meeting that left him "confident" that a 5in iPhone is coming.
Apple's rumoured bigger iPhone, or iPhablet as it's sometimes called, could alternatively launch in May 2014, according to a new report that says the new device won't be part of the iPhone 6 family, instead becoming part of an all-new line-up. The iPhone 6 could then launch in September as expected.
The bigger iPhone will reportedly have a display size of more than 5 inches, and will feature a new, TSMC-built 20 nanometer processor.
Apple has certainly diversified its product ranges recently. There are now two different iPad models, the iPad mini and the iPad, and two new iPhones, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, so it's possible that the company will decide to take this even further.
Apple has previously ruled out a bigger iPhone screen, but it's reasoning was resolution and display quality rather than belief that it would be too big. Earlier this year Apple CEO Tim Cook said: "My view continues to be that the iPhone 5 has the absolute best display in the industry. We always strive to create the very best display for our customers."
"Our competitors have made some significant trade-offs in many of these areas in order to ship a larger display," he said. "We would not shop a larger-display iPhone while these trade-offs exist."
But, in an email in December, Cook wrote that Apple has "big plans" for 2014 that customers will love. Was that a sneaky clue to a bigger iPhone?
Others note that when Apple launched the iPhone 5 it explained that the size of the screen was perfect as it would allow you to reach all corners of the screen comfortably. However, a report in October claimed that Apple's bigger iPhone would have a display resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels at 440dpi for a 5in screen, and that the company would make the side bezels "as thin as possible" to make it the first device in the 'phablet' category that can be operated using one hand.
We'd expect that Apple will launch a bigger iPhone alongside an iPhone with the current 4in display, as not everyone will be happy to carry around an iPhone with 5in device.
Will the new iPhone have a curved screen?
Adding to the rumours of a bigger iPhone comes reports that Apple is working on a curved display for the iPhone 6. In November, Bloomberg cited a source who claimed that Apple is preparing two new iPhones with 4.7in and 5.5in curved displays for a late 2014 launch. Samsung has already unveiled its curved Galaxy Round smartphone, and LG has shown off its LG G Flex curved smartphone, so a curved iPhone isn't a completely crazy idea.
What features will the iPhone 6 have?
Check out our 8 features Apple's new iPhone 5s doesn't have article to find out what rumoured features didn't arrive in iPhone 5s but could come to iPhone 6.
iPhone 6 rumours: better camera
It's recently been reported that the iPhone 6 will sport an 8-megapixel like its predecessor, as opposed to a 13- or 16-megapixel camera like some of its rivals (the Nokia Lumia 1020 actually boasts a 41-megapixel camera).
Instead, Apple is expected to focus on camera improvements in other areas, rather than upping the pixels. This could include better image stabilisation, according to The China Post.
iPhone 6 rumours: Home button & Touch ID
There have been several rumours which claim that the Home button on the new iPhone 6 will be removed. This however seems highly improbable, considering Apple recently introduced the Touch ID fingerprint scanner feature to the Home button in the iPhone 5s. Removing it only a generation later would essentially translate to Apple admitting it was a failure.
Perhaps there's a greater possibility that the new iPhone 6 will expand the use of Touch ID to banking applications and other apps that require passcodes.
Additionally, the display could become one giant Touch ID sensor. Apple filed a patent back in January 2013 that outlined a method for including the fingerprint scanner into a display.
So, while it is highly improbable that the Home button will be removed, there is a possibility that the hardcode home button will be replaced with multi-gesture touch support at the bottom of the phone. Additionally, it is rumoured that the bottom left and right portions of the screen will also be “tappable”, and will be used, for example, to switch between tabs in Safari. It will also be beneficial for app developers who will be able to customise these buttons for their apps.
iPhone 6 release date and rumours: Gaming-ready iPhone 6?
Apple recently purchased PrimeSense, a firm specialising in the development of three-dimensional sensors for home appliances and mobile devices. This technology is similar to the gesture-detecting sensors of the Xbox’s Kinect controller. This purchase could certainly hint at a move to include gesture control on the next generation of Apple devices.
New iPhone 6 release date: When will the iPhone 6 come out?
The iPhone line-up gets refreshed roughly once a year. The iPhone 6 is therefore likely to launch in 2014, around a year later than the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, which were unveiled on 10 September 2013 and hit the shelves on 20 September.
However, some analysts and Apple watchers have suggested that Apple may decide to launch a new iPhone earlier in the year, perhaps at the company's annual WWDC event in June. This is certainly a possibility - Apple released the first four generations of iPhone in June, before moving to an September/October launch schedule.
In November, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty said that she expects to see multiple iPhone refreshes every year from now on, which could mean an iPhone 6 early next year followed by an iPhone 6s later in 2014.
In December, DigiTimes reported that, in addition to a 12.9in iPad (dubbed iPad Pro) expected to launch in October, Apple's 2014 will see a new iPhone with a bigger screen launch in May.
The first speculation about the iPhone 6 release date to arrive in 2014 suggested that the iPhone 6 release date could be either March or September.
So, to recap: the iPhone 6 could launch in March, May, June, September or October... helpful, right? We think that the June and September options are most plausible based on Apple's launch history.
iPhone 6 predictions: How much will the iPhone 6 cost?
There's no solid evidence to suggest a price for the iPhone 6. However, we'd expect it to sell at a similar price point as the iPhone 5s, which starts at £549.
However, a somewhat suspicious report from InfoTales suggests that the iPhone 6's price tag could be $50 to $100 higher due to a larger screen. Susquehanna International Group analyst Chris Caso believes that Apple could "get away with" increasing the price of the iPhone because Samsung's Galaxy S series is now in the same price bracket.
iPhone 6 rumours: NFC, wireless charging, iOS 8
Here are some more iPhone 6 rumours that have been circulating the web.
iPhone 6 could have NFC
A patent published by the US Patent & Trademark Office suggested that Near Field Communication (NFC) technology could arrive with a future iPhone. The patent describes an iWallet transaction system that could work with the technology.
The US Patent and Trademark published another new Apple NFC technology patent application in May, covering a range of features including a new focus on methods and systems for establishing an NFC session with an electronic device.
Apple watchers had been expecting NFC to arrive in the iPhone since as far back as the iPhone 4, though, so we're not sure whether Apple is convinced that the technology is worth persuing just yet.
iPhone 6 could have wireless charging capabilities
Apple could be planning to introduce wireless charging to its iPhone 6, following in the footsteps of Nokia, LG and HTC.
iPhone 6 will run iOS 8
Apple's all-new iOS 7 was shown off at WWDC 2013 in June. It has been given a complete redesign and some new features, including an iRadio music streaming service, and it was rolled out on 18 September. Find out more about iOS 7 in our iOS 7 review. Master iOS 7 using our 40 iOS 7 tips.
It's likely that Apple will update iOS again ahead of the iPhone 6 launch, making it iOS 8. We'll update this story when we hear more about what new features iOS 8 might include, though we expect it to be similar aesthetically to iOS 7.
For now, though, you can check out our iOS 8 wishlist.
iPhone 6 to be iPhone Air
Apple's iPad Air has proven to be a success so far, which has led to speculation that Apple may decide to expand its 'Air' range further by adding an iPhone. Accessory makers Fuse Chicken created a mock-up of what an iPhone Air could look like, as did Set Solutions, which you can see in our Wil Apple release an iPhone Air article.
More iPhone 6 rumours: not so convincing
Below are some further rumours about the iPhone 6 that have been floating around for a while but we're not convinced are true. Still, they're pretty interesting, and could be features that are in the pipeline for future iPhones, as several are based on Apple patents.
The iPhone 6 will have a Smart Home Button that is oblong-shaped and touch-capacitive
This one's been around since forever (well, early 2011 at least). One iPhone 6 rumour suggests that Jony Ive (or Sir Jonathan Ive as he's formally known) is ready to introduce a wider, rounded-oblong home button that will be touch-capacitive. The iPhone 6 Home Button will not just push to return to the Home Screen, but you'll be able to swipe your finger left and right over it (we presume to move left and right between Apps, like the four-finger Multi-Touch gesture that you find on the iPad).
This iPhone 6 rumour has some basis in fact, and we believe Apple has at least been experimenting with this idea (we have been reporting on it for a while).
Of course, Apple now has the Touch ID fingerprint sensor that can be found in the iPhone 5s, so it seems unlikely that even more technology will be built in to the Home button next time around.
Will the iPhone 6 use sonar for face detection and 3D modelling?
Analysis of recent Apple patent activity has got our minds whirring. It seems Apple plans to build audio detection into the screens of some of its future devices, which may include the iPhone 6, and has also patented a system for using sonar for proximity detection.
iPhone 6 rumour: Smart Bezel
Apple has taken out several patents on a Smart Bezel (the plastic front surrounding the screen). In other words the Bezel will be able to display information as well as the screen. We've reported on the iPhone 6 Smart Bezel a few times, and Patently Apple, the source of many an Apple rumour has this article on the latest Apple patent on a Smart Bezel.
What kind of level of information the Smart Bezel could display is up for debate. It certainly wouldn't be a 'screen extension', more like flashing buttons and symbols. This could guide users to tap parts of the screen, or indiciate new messages and suchlike.
iPhone 6 'could have flexible screen'
Apple's iPhone 6 may have a bendy, flexible display and body, if recent tech innovations and patent activity are any indicator.
Apple's patents indicate that the company is exploring legal safeguards for a flexible design, but it looks like Samsung pipped it to the post, showing off its flexible smartphone displays during the 2013 CES in Las Vegas in January. An Apple patent filing and job listing in April also hinted at a flexible future for the iPhone.
The flexible display could alternatively (or, perhaps, additionally) be destined for the widely speculated iWatch device that Apple is rumoured to be working on for launch next year. Find out more about the iWatch in our iWatch rumour round-up.
Flexible-display smartphones just a 'novelty'... for now
iPhone 6 could read your mind
In February, an Apple patent application was published, describing a system that would allow an iPhone to automatically switch modes by anticipating your needs.
iPhone 6 leaked images and concept art
There are no leaked images of the iPhone 6 (yet), but there are lots of mockups that have been created by designers, some of which you'll already have seen earlier in this article.
An iPhone 6 concept unveiled in November 2013 comes from Iskander Utebayey, who imagines a new iPhone with a wraparound display that allows touch controls on each side of the iPhone. We can't imagine how this would would work in real life, as touchscreens on the side of the iPhone would make holding the device rather tricky. However, we do like the idea of a control panel there waiting on the edges for easy access to different iOS features.
We rather like the Home button-less gold iPhone 6 concept created by designer Martin Hajek for French Apple blog Nowhereelse.fr. Its back closely resembles the iPad Air, and certainly looks Apple-esque to us.
Following the unveiling of iOS 7, ADR Studio came up with a new iPhone 6 concept based on the redesigned user interface, as shown below:
Designer Arthur Reis created these 3D renderings in March, showing an ultra-thin design with 'touch anywhere' Home button and 'iSight Pro' camera.
Toronto-based 3D designer Peter Zigich has published concept images based on the rumours that Apple could be preparing to launch three new iPhones this year. The image shows an iPhone mini, iPhone 6 and iPhablet with home buttons on the side to allow more room for the display or reduce the overall size of the device.
In early March, designer Martin Hajek created new 3D renders of a possible iPhone 6 and 4.8in iPhone with edge-to-edge screens and a trackpad-like Home button, as shown below.
This article will be updated as more iPhone 6 or information, rumours, and leaked pictures as they become available. Via Macworld.UK
