Apple iPhone 6 rumour round-up: Larger displays, iOS 8, fitness tracking and more
The weekend brought a new cache of iPhone 6 rumours and this time around it’s not just vague speculation about its features and specs, but also images and renders of the alleged next-gen Apple smartphone. Adding to the earlier leaks, these new rumours suggest that Apple will be putting the phone in production in May, with an earlier release than last year. We’ll have to wait and see if that pans out, but let’s take a look at what we know so far about the iPhone 6.
Design
The latest leaks have suggested that Apple will be going for a more rounded body and the iPhone 6 will be even slimmer than the current-gen iPhone 5s flagship. Some sketches seen last week suggest the iPhone 6 will be bigger and taller than the current models. We have heard about the next-gen iPhone getting a bigger display, so this is not that much of a stretch. But that doesn’t mean the sketches are showing the final design of the phone.
The latest leaks have suggested that Apple will be going for a more rounded body and the iPhone 6 will be even slimmer than the current-gen iPhone 5s flagship. Some sketches seen last week suggest the iPhone 6 will be bigger and taller than the current models. We have heard about the next-gen iPhone getting a bigger display, so this is not that much of a stretch. But that doesn’t mean the sketches are showing the final design of the phone.
According to the sketches, the iPhone 6 will have a thickness of 7.1mm, which would make it pretty slim indeed.
Another set of leaked images, supposedly straight from Foxconn, show the slim profile of the phone with the camera lens protruding on the back. This seems highly unlikely given Apple’s penchant for a flat back.
Two iPhones this year too?
Display
We have been hearing about a bigger display for the iPhone for nearly a year now. All the recent rumours suggest it would be a 4.7-inch display, but there’s also talk of a bigger 5.5-inch display for the phone. With an increase in display size, we can also expect a bump in the resolution. After all, the ‘Retina’ tag will be hard to let go of and the resolution needs to be higher to qualify for that label. The latest rumour says the new panels will go into production in May.
We have been hearing about a bigger display for the iPhone for nearly a year now. All the recent rumours suggest it would be a 4.7-inch display, but there’s also talk of a bigger 5.5-inch display for the phone. With an increase in display size, we can also expect a bump in the resolution. After all, the ‘Retina’ tag will be hard to let go of and the resolution needs to be higher to qualify for that label. The latest rumour says the new panels will go into production in May.
Sapphire crystal display protection
Apple has already chosen to use sapphire crystal to protect the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5s. It is highly speculated that the next-gen iPhone will have a sapphire crystal display protection to ward off scratches and nicks. Apple has applied for a patent for off-screen gestures using pressure sensitivity, where too a sapphire crystal display makes most sense. Late last year, there were reports that GT Advanced Technologies had inked a deal with Apple for sapphire crystal.
Apple has already chosen to use sapphire crystal to protect the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5s. It is highly speculated that the next-gen iPhone will have a sapphire crystal display protection to ward off scratches and nicks. Apple has applied for a patent for off-screen gestures using pressure sensitivity, where too a sapphire crystal display makes most sense. Late last year, there were reports that GT Advanced Technologies had inked a deal with Apple for sapphire crystal.
iOS 8
iOS 8 is expected to debut with the iPhone 6 and word is Apple is betting big on health and fitness tracking features, and will come integrated with the Healthbook app. Reports also claim that iOS 8 wouldn’t be much different from iOS7 in terms of the UI and only has minor changes.
iOS 8 is expected to debut with the iPhone 6 and word is Apple is betting big on health and fitness tracking features, and will come integrated with the Healthbook app. Reports also claim that iOS 8 wouldn’t be much different from iOS7 in terms of the UI and only has minor changes.
Apple’s iOS 8 is rumoured to include a dedicated app called Healthbook as a one-stop solution for all things fitness related. The app is said to be visually similar to Passbook and could work in tandem with the rumoured iWatch. In fact, the iWatch is cited as the reason for a sudden interest in health tracking apps within Apple.
The Healthbook app can reportedly monitor users’ vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, hydration levels, and also glucose levels. The iWatch could reportedly collect data gathered by the Healthbook app from the various sensors in the iPhone. This is probably the reason why Apple has integrated the M7 motion co-processor in the A7 chipset. There is also the possibility of integrating iWatch with Apple Maps for location tracking and navigation.
iOS 8 to bring Health book
8MP camera with improved OIS
Supply chain speculation suggests that the iPhone 6 will not feature the previously-rumoured 13-megapixel or 16-megapixel camera. Instead, the company will rope in an 8MP snapper, just like the iPhone 5s, but with some functional improvements including in the optical image stabilization (OIS) module.
Supply chain speculation suggests that the iPhone 6 will not feature the previously-rumoured 13-megapixel or 16-megapixel camera. Instead, the company will rope in an 8MP snapper, just like the iPhone 5s, but with some functional improvements including in the optical image stabilization (OIS) module.
Interchangeable camera lens
Apple has got patents for interchangeable mobile camera lenses. The patent is touted to result into an official accessory from Apple, perhaps a case. The patent mentions a camera add-on that connects using a physical locking mechanism like a DSLR lens, as well as a magnetic component for quicker attachment.
Apple has got patents for interchangeable mobile camera lenses. The patent is touted to result into an official accessory from Apple, perhaps a case. The patent mentions a camera add-on that connects using a physical locking mechanism like a DSLR lens, as well as a magnetic component for quicker attachment.
iPen stylus
Apple reportedly has more than 200 patents for stylus. The iPen patent allows determining the orientation of the stylus through a sensor which is fitted in the stylus as well as the device. It’s as yet unknown whether Apple will add a stylus to the iPhone 6, but it could make an appearance in the iPad line-up.
Apple reportedly has more than 200 patents for stylus. The iPen patent allows determining the orientation of the stylus through a sensor which is fitted in the stylus as well as the device. It’s as yet unknown whether Apple will add a stylus to the iPhone 6, but it could make an appearance in the iPad line-up.
That’s what we have heard about the iPhone 6, but Apple is also working on the iWatch, which is said to feature innovative battery charging methods and newer iPads for later this year. As we get closer to the announcement date, we will get a better idea of what Apple has in store for iFans.
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