“iMore has already started to hear more about the next generation iPhone (iPhone 5,1),” Rene Ritchie reports for iMore.
“We previously reported that Apple was working to reduce the size of the traditional 30-pin dock connector to something closer akin to a micro-dock so there’d be more room inside for other components (similar to how they went from a mini-SIM to a micro-SIM in 2010),” Ritchie reports. “Yesterday we reported that, as of last month, Apple was planning to stick with the current 3.5-inch screen size for the new iPhone, but that it wasn’t set in stone and it could get a little bigger (though nowhere near as big as current 4.5-inch-plus Android phones.)”
Ritchie reports, “Following that story we received some additional information. First, the new iPhone will be 4G LTE compatible. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone… Second is the timeframe. We’ve mentioned October 2012 as the current release schedule for iPhone 5,1 before and it sounds like that’s still the plan.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Apple’s next-gen iPhone will use bigger 4.6-inch display, report claims – March 21, 2012
Apple may ditch traditional iPhone, iPad, and iPod dock connector for updated ‘micro dock’ – February 24, 2012
I think the form factor will be different and so will the screen size. Because Apple has Retina already the pixel density doesn’t need to change. Also if LTE will be the next generation, Apple will need a larger phone to support that battery. I bet it will be at least a 4.1″ display.
I really think a 4″ screen would be a nice compromise between not fragmenting the platform, ( the retina screen would handle that without have to burden developers) and having a screen that would be easier to read for older people like me with less acute eyesight. It would still fit within the outer case demensions and therefore still be great for one hand typing.
They had better not change the dock connector. I hate to sound like a Luddite, but a micro-dock connector destroys all of my dock connector items like my car, my speaker system, and all of the extra charging cables I have. Sure, adapters may be available, but not only are they inelegant but they won’t fit properly in most solutions, and may allow your iPhone to not be supported except by a micro dock connector.
If the iPhone 5 is going to grow slightly bigger for a larger screen (pure speculation, of course), then they shouldn’t need to reduce the dock connector (unless the LTE chip requires every single square inch of battery Apple can jam into the case).
I don’t think you have to worry. This is an Android rumour and every time you hear one of these lame concepts, just remind yourself how many other lame rumours have come by that were eventually about Android or a Chinese knockoff.
Sorry.
But it is inevitable that Apple will continually reduce the size all components so that they can add features, like 4G, and not adversely affect things like the battery life.
Sorry, Apple’s going back to a FireWire connector. I know for a fact…
Yeah I think if they can fit the regular dock connector into the nano (about the size of a book of matches) and the iPod touch (thickness of 3 or so credit cards stacked) I don’t think that the purported space restrictions argument holds any water at all.
They could create a superset connector (would plug into existing dock connections but would add functionality in “dock-plus” aware devices. but I think they would have to have backward compatibility with the 1000’s of docking devices (and no an “adaptor” wouldn’t cut it.
These rumors are started by apple hating freetards who are jealous over the 1000’s of docking products (and even automobiles) that are readily available.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, Apple doesn’t care about legacy connectors if they’re in the way of making a better product. Part of being and Apple user is the ability to let go when we are told we don’t need something. Accept it, have some more koolaide and move on.
Not changing something just for the sake of backwards comparability is a ridiculous notion. I hate the current dock connector. it accumulates crap, prone to breaking/loosening. if they come out with a nice, clean, shallow, MagSafe dock connector with current/future thunderbolt connection potential, it will likely be my favorite new hardware feature.
Perhaps 1024×763
I can believe all of this, except the micro dock part.
I don’t see apple having the iPhone have a different connection than the iPad.
If apple were to change the dock.. They woul postpone an iPhone launch in the fall and release the 4th gen iPad at the same time (or within a few weeks)
For a device that is a “phone,” the current iPhone “form” is quite excellent. It would not be surprising to me to see it for at least one more generation.
If there is a “new form” iPhone with a larger screen, a separate model with current external design should also continue with similar upgraded performance specs (such as better processor, more RAM, 4G LTE, etc.). One could be called iPhone 5 and the other iPhone 4X (or 4-“something”).
See now this seems more plausible than any other guess we have read so far. 3.5 ” in October.
However, I am saving up for a June release anyway. I can hold out. If my pocket starts to heat up, I will put my money into an Apple Store gift card and toss it in the drawer until the 5 is ready.
In the last 24 hours I’ve seem the rumor that iPhone 5 is definitely 4.5 inches. Now the rumor that it is back to 3.5. How about we all just wait and see, eh?
I wonder if they will ever include a thunderbolt type dock connector for an iOS device.
I can come up with such “news” all day long like every five minutes, but no one will pay me. But these people are paid. This is unfair.
Apple needs denser battery material that rapidly charges, and that forthcoming Qualcomm Gobi 5 chip that hosts 7 radios for true international LTE/HSPA interoperability. Added hotness would be ARM15 w/PowerVR 6 series graphics and integrated 802.11ac, BT4.0, and GPS.
the new iPhone will be 4G LTE compatible.
As usual: So far there is no such thing as 4G LTE available on the market. It’s 3G LTE and nothing more.
When actual factual 4G LTE is available on the market it will be called “LTE Advanced”. All current FAKE “4G LTE” phones will NOT be compatible. Keep that in mind when you purchase a contemporary phone or iPad. Don’t let the LIAR Marketing Morons screw you over behind your back. Know your tech.
LTE Advanced @ Wikipedia
The Spirit of the Age: Screw Thy Customer.
At least Apple has been vocally disapproving of the fake ‘4G’ moniker.
I get what you’re saying and I agree with you, but Apple themselves changed the “3G” indicator on AT&T iPhones to read “4G” with iOS 5.1. I guess they aren’t completely disapproving of the “4G” moniker.
To be correct, until 1.5 years ago there were standard limits about what could be called “4G”: the speed had to be faster than 100 megabits per second.
But then Verizon
bribed persuaded international committee to lift off any limitations. So now their PR can officially call their slow networks “4G”.Sorry, I messed up with the style/format closing tag.
@jercs: I know. It’s ‘go with the flow’. But I was proud of Phil Schiller, a Marketing Maven, sticking up for technology standardization versus marketing-moron-ization. Apple know what’s 3G and what’s vacuous sales blahblahblah. Sadly, the public bought the bullshite and ate it, so Apple has to speak the vernacular. Bleh.
I believe that was AT&T’s request not something Apple decided to do. cause technically Verizon 4S phones can use that “4G” icon also.
But Derek is correct, no such thing as 4G LTE really.
Makes total sense. As a follower and shareholder of AAPL, there was NO WAY Apple would release the iPhone 5 this summer (June/July 2012). The cycle doesn’t fit the model.
I purchased my iPhone 4S in Nov 2011. According to Apple’s sales volume, 35 million other people also purchased the 4S during that quarter’s release (4Q2011). If Apple were to release an iPhone 7 months later, what about all of us who have to wait 12 months to be eligible (excluding a flat out purchase non-subsidized)? Actually, AT&T will allow 11 months not 12 months if you complain, but that’s an Apple ruling all carriers must abide by.
An October release fits perfectly.
iPhone – announced Jan 9, 2007; released Jun 29, 2007
iPhone 3G – announced Jun 9, 2008, released Jul 11, 2008
iPhone 3GS – announced Jun 8, 2009; released Jun 19, 2009
iPhone 4 – announced Jun 7, 2010; released June 24, 2010
iPhone 4S – announced Oct 4, 2011; released Oct 14, 2011
On average, Apple announces a new iPhone every 432 days (as soon as 364 days and as long as 517 days), and releases a new model every 392 days (as soon as 343 days and as long as 477 days). Days between announcement and release dates for each respective model are 17 days on average (as soon as 10 days to as long as 32 days).
The announcement dates above, spooky enough, always fell on a Monday, except for 2007 and 2011 when it was a Tuesday. Release dates also follow some consistency, where they were set on a Friday, except for 2010 when it was a Thursday.
So the prediction in this MDN article that Apple will announce in October 2012 seems to be a reasonable guess to me (364 days from last announcement would make it October 2, 2012, a Tuesday, and would probably release 10 days later on the Friday, October 12, 2012). An announcement date in June 2012 or July 2012 would be too soon, based on Apple’s history.
Mark your calendars!
Good point. However here is the simple way….
It is aprox one year between iphone RELEASES. Only that last one, the 4S, slipped away a few months.
There is something wrong with the rumor though, it’s not a rumor. From October 2011 to October 2012 is one year.
;
Since the date hasn’t been announced yet, I guess it is still a rumor! 😉