iPhone 5: Launch rumored for Fall 2012

The technical products writing and review world is buzzing with rumors that the iPhone 5 will launch in 2012.  Of course the spies are out. The best tech writers are  trying to get hold a memo or even a blurry photo of the device specifications. The experts know exactly what they want for improvements and new features. The fans wants to be the first to get the scoop on the next hot new iOS smartphone.

Here are some analyses from the top smartphone news sources. TechLabs led the pack with the fullest set of possibilities for the iPhone 5.

TechRadar is speculating that the iPhone 5 will release sometime in the Summer of 2012. The device was expected to come out in October, but some problems caused a cancellation of those plans.  Apple’s Worldwide Developer Event (WWDC) is usually held in June and expectations are that there will be news at that event. 

TechRadar predicts an entirely new case, a possible 4 inch screen, 4G LTE support, and a quad core mobile chip designed by ARM. 

CNET sees the iPhone coming in the fall of 2012, based on a research note from an investment bank. The excitement at CNET is about replacing the traditional reinforced glass with a metal (aluminum) back. Rubber or plastic on the sides would hold the front and back together. Apparently, desperate iPhone users have been using third party solutions to the glass back, which has put them under threat of having the warranty voided.

The Techlabs has created a much fuller set of expectations for the device, identifying a hot new A5 processor chip, iCloud service, an 8 MP camera, and a 4-inch screen size. The new iOS 5 boasts 200 new features, including multi touch gestures and direct manipulation. iMessage is supposed to compete with Blackberry, the industry leader in instant messaging. 

The new iCloud service will introduce wireless remote access to music from any computers or mobile device.

Techlabs states that “The A5 contains a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU with NEON SIMD accelerator and a dual core PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU, which means that the iPhone5 can do twice the work at once. The processor speed will be somewhere between 1.2 to 1.5 GHz, with probably a 1GB RAM.”

 An interesting development will be if the A5 has “dynamic power management”, which allows the speed to change depending on the workload for more efficient battery use.

The device may include the dual cameras that are required for 3D imaging and will have built in stitching for creating panoramic photos. Techlabs suggest that Apple needs to improve the video resolution to1080p HD recording. The iPhone 4 has only a 720p video capture at 30 frames per second.

There is more rich speculation about options for staying with the current 3.5 inch screen, having a 3.75 or 3.75 inch screen or going to the larger 4 inch screen. The resolution may stay the same.

The device might be a little bit thinner and wider and Techlabs provides more detailed leaks about 4G LTE conversion, a host of new features, and a SIM free design with multiple internal antennae. 

In summary, fans of the iPhone will go through another exciting year as the iPhone 5 and new iOS makes their way toward rumor, release and what will probably be the wildest sales launch since the first iPhone was released.