The current iPhone 4 model. Apple is expected to sell around 56 million iPhones in 2011.
Last July, Apple announced the availability of the new iPhone 5 (or iPhone 4S as other pundits are wont to call it) by the third quarter of the year, and since September is the last month of the third quarter, people are expecting a new iPhone model this month.
Well, whether it comes out now or is pushed back to its again, rumored launch in October, one thing is certain, everyone already has their own versions of the iPhone 5 in their minds as all sorts of rumored features are flying all over the ‘net.
Given that Steve Jobs has just relinquished the chief executive hat at Apple, the iPhone 5 could very well be his last hurrah. And if any of the following rumored features are true, then the innovative founder of what is now touted as the world’s most valuable company is going out with a bang and in style.
Face recognition security
A phone that recognizes only your face as its owner. That means only you can use your phone and it’s useless to anyone who tries to steal it. Should have an on/off option, though, so you can lend it to those you do trust at home or in the office. This is a game changer if done right and only Apple has the rep to pull it off.
Thinner, shinier and possibly smaller chassis
Could this also be the first iPhone nano in the market? But a rumored bigger screen that’s either 3.7 or 4-inches wide seem to belie that. Still, if Apple can somehow give us the best of both worlds, then the new iPhone should give new meaning to the term, “light and easy on the pocket.”
4G, not 3G
Support for Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology means that the iPhone 5 is a 4G phone and translates to a much faster video chat sessions, among other notable performance speed bumps.
Faster processor, more storage.
More is well, more. The new iPhone will have a dual-core 1.2GHz processor with a minimum of 32GB of storage. Time to say goodbye to all those crash and hanging episodes? We certainly hope so.
Cloud-based OS iupdates
Always hated it when you have to sync your device for a longer time instead of using it because you need to download a 600MB OS update? That makes about, uh, all of us. Now, you can update your software over the air without the need to sync your phone in your computer. Even better, you’ll be getting Delta updates, which means getting only what’s changed, not the whole OS itself.
Digital wallet
With Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the new iPhone may double as a debit/credit card. A nice touch of convenience for those who don’t like to carry their credit cards. How this will be implemented in the Philippines is the big question mark, though.
8MP camera
Crisp and clear pics supposedly taken with the new device has been posted around the net. With a camera this good, you won’t need a stand-alone digicam in tow.
Shatter and scratch resistant screen
Does this mean that screen protectors and the occasional LCD replacement will also be a thing of the past? We’d like to think it is with this new nifty feature.
Full 1080p HD video and audio
Get ready to view DVD-quality videos with astounding sound, at least when using headphones.
Built-in GPS
Yes, you can download Google Maps and Google Earth, we know. But there’s nothing like an integrated GPS feature to make sure you’re getting the right directions and never get lost. Again.
Same price
You heard it. Apple is unleashing a totally new iPhone with significant improvements for the same price as the iPhone 4. If there’s a sweeter deal anywhere else, we’re all ears.
