iPhone 5 (4s)

Rico · April 20, 2011, 08:56:10 AM

I think it's time to start the official iPhone version 5 thread. Various reports are popping up on possible release dates, hardware, etc. So, let the rumors (and some facts eventually) begin!

P.S. Personally I predict it will get announced this summer and ship this fall.

Like clockwork, Reuters has added to the tally of fifth-generation iPhone rumors. Citing three anonymous sources "with direct knowledge of the company's supply chain," Reuters claims Apple's fifth-generation iPhone will have a faster processor, and begin shipping in September.
That means mass production of the phone would have to start no later than August, with an announcement likely to come at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
(By the way, Reuters is fast becoming a regular contributor to the Apple rumor mill; recently it has weighed in on the white iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPad 3.)
Reuters' report is the latest in a series of rumors about the release date of Apple's next iPhone. Most rumors about the fifth-generation iPhone have focused on when the official announcement and launch date will be, which may face delays caused by the Japanese crisis.
In case you haven't been paying close attention, here's every what various sources have reported about fifth-generation iPhone in the last few months:
On Monday, an analyst from Concord Securities told investors he had heard from unnamed suppliers that the fifth-generation iPhone will only start mass production in September, and come equipped with a faster A5 processor, improved antenna, 8-megapixel rear camera, and Qualcomm baseband. A week before that, Avian Securities also told its investors that Apple won't begin production until September, pushing back an iPhone 5 launch date to the end of 2011 or early 2012.
From Asia, Taiwanese newspaper DigiTimes added a fresh angle, citing anonymous touch panel suppliers who claimed that Apple won't release the fifth-generation iPhone this summer because demand for the iPhone 4 has been too strong. Parts shipments have also remained constant, and Apple hasn't given manufacturers a timeframe for when production of the iPhone 4 will wind down.
Meanwhile South Korea-based ETNews reported last week that unnamed "industry officials" had "confirmed" a June release date for the iPhone, with South Korean carriers KT and SK Telecom starting sales by the end of June.
At the end of March, Japanese-language blog Macotakara.jp reported that Apple was pushing the fifth-generation iPhone release to the fall due to delays caused by the earthquake.
As for the older rumors, Forbes reported last month that Apple will enable mobile payments by embedding near-field communications technology in the fifth-generation iPhone. Then there's another batch of reports claiming the fifth-generation iPhone will come with an 8-megapixel camera supplied by Sony, which recently made CEO Howard Stringer roll his eyes.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383856,00.asp

billybob476 · April 20, 2011, 08:58:42 AM

From what I've heard (mostly from my sound-alike Tom Merritt on TNT) the iPhone 5 looks to be a jump similar to the 3G -> 3GS jump. Better CPU (the A5 in the iPad 2), better camera, etc. It promises to be a minor jump.

Dangelus · April 20, 2011, 09:00:38 AM

I love it that they feel obliged to let us know iPhone 5 will have a "faster processor"! Not exactly a stretch is it? Lol

I agree it's likely to be released last quarter now.

RickPeete · April 20, 2011, 09:06:30 AM

The only major improvement I want to see is support for LTE 4G so that we get the faster network from AT&T/Verizon. Without that I am staying with the 3GS. Having the A5 and an 8mp camera would be great but not worth upgrading phones for me and Christi.

So we shall see. If they delay until September, that is fine with me. It gives me time to save up! :D

Bryancd · April 20, 2011, 09:25:06 AM

Our morning research included this from Thomson-Reuters news wire:

Apple Inc. (AAPL). The company's next-generation iPhone will have a faster processor and will begin shipping in September, three people with direct knowledge of the company's supply chain said. The production of the new iPhone will start in July/August and the smart phone will look largely similar to the iPhone 4, one of the people said on Wednesday.

billybob476 · April 20, 2011, 09:34:51 AM

Quote from: RickPeete on April 20, 2011, 09:06:30 AM
The only major improvement I want to see is support for LTE 4G so that we get the faster network from AT&T/Verizon. Without that I am staying with the 3GS. Having the A5 and an 8mp camera would be great but not worth upgrading phones for me and Christi.

So we shall see. If they delay until September, that is fine with me. It gives me time to save up! :D

I'd be surprised if it supported LTE. I also wonder if AT&T's LTE network could handle the deluge of LTE iPhones flooding it.

KingIsaacLinksr · April 20, 2011, 09:45:37 AM

Quote from: billybob476 on April 20, 2011, 09:34:51 AM
Quote from: RickPeete on April 20, 2011, 09:06:30 AM
The only major improvement I want to see is support for LTE 4G so that we get the faster network from AT&T/Verizon. Without that I am staying with the 3GS. Having the A5 and an 8mp camera would be great but not worth upgrading phones for me and Christi.

So we shall see. If they delay until September, that is fine with me. It gives me time to save up! :D

I'd be surprised if it supported LTE. I also wonder if AT&T's LTE network could handle the deluge of LTE iPhones flooding it.

Idk, some rumors seem to think that it won't have LTE due to the battery drain associated with the technology. But maybe it will, time will tell.

King

Jobydrone · April 21, 2011, 07:21:08 AM

My plan is to wait for iPhone 6 or whatever, since all signs point to only an incremental jump in the next version. My current contract is up in a year, so I think that the upgrade will be more satisfying and feature rich in Fall 2012. Hopefully my 3GS is on board with my plan and lasts another 18 months or so.

billybob476 · April 21, 2011, 07:23:09 AM

Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on April 21, 2011, 07:21:08 AM
My plan is to wait for iPhone 6 or whatever, since all signs point to only an incremental jump in the next version. My current contract is up in a year, so I think that the upgrade will be more satisfying and feature rich in Fall 2012. Hopefully my 3GS is on board with my plan and lasts another 18 months or so.

The main issue I had with my 3G was the battery, it wouldn't last the day (or even half the day if I was using my phone to any reasonable degree). That's what prompted me to upgrade to a 4. If your battery lasts you should be good for another gen.

Jobydrone · April 21, 2011, 07:27:46 AM

I know what you mean. Generally the amount I use my iPhone has decreased since I started carrying my iPad around with me and use that for the more battery draining features like games and movies, but even with just using the phone as a phone and iPod gets me to around 30% by the end of the day. Last summer I took my iPhone on a four day camping trip and even shutting off everything I knew of that affected battery life the phone was a brick after day two.

Bromptonboy · April 21, 2011, 07:33:51 AM

September would be good - my contract is up the end of May - and I can hang with my 3Gs for a few months. I want better battery life, and would really love a 64GB model - I am always filling up my 32GB 3Gs. '4G' would also be nice - but not critical from my perspective. Would I would love to see is a mini-USB connector - or space for a microSSD.
Any rumors of an antenna redesign?

Rico · April 21, 2011, 08:38:46 AM

Pete - See my first post - it mentions an antenna change. ;)

KingIsaacLinksr · April 21, 2011, 09:18:33 AM

Quote from: Bromptonboy on April 21, 2011, 07:33:51 AM
September would be good - my contract is up the end of May - and I can hang with my 3Gs for a few months. I want better battery life, and would really love a 64GB model - I am always filling up my 32GB 3Gs. '4G' would also be nice - but not critical from my perspective. Would I would love to see is a mini-USB connector - or space for a microSSD.
Any rumors of an antenna redesign?

I think we will see a mini-USB connector, as the US...FCC?...is forcing all phone developers (this year I believe) to switch to one universal standard which is that connector. So I'd guess we will see it on the iPhone 5. which its about time phones switched to one standard.

King

billybob476 · April 21, 2011, 09:23:33 AM

I have a feeling Apple will find a way to maintain the dock connector, perhaps they can classify the iPhone as a 'mobile media platform' and not just a phone.

KingIsaacLinksr · April 21, 2011, 09:27:18 AM

Quote from: billybob476 on April 21, 2011, 09:23:33 AM
I have a feeling Apple will find a way to maintain the dock connector, perhaps they can classify the iPhone as a 'mobile media platform' and not just a phone.

The article I read months ago, named Apple specifically in the list of companies being forced to comply to the new regulation. I doubt apple could BS out of it as it's primary features is the phone, as half the device is devoted to it.

The iPod touch and iPad won't switch though, that's fairly predictable.

King