The good news for all Apple fans out there is that they may get to see the new iPhone on September 12, 2012. iMore has gathered information from trusted sources that the iPhone 5, along with iPad mini will debut on 12th September, and Apple will release the phone on the September 21, 2012.
In this year’s WWDC conference, there were some revelations like the new operating system for Macintosh – known as Mountain Lion, an improved Siri, changes in the GPS functionality, etc. One announcement that everyone was eagerly waiting for was the launch date of the iPhone 5. But, keeping its tradition of secrecy, Apple hasn’t revealed anything about the phone. The stoic silence on Apple’s part has allowed rumor-mills to come out with their own versions of the iPhone 5 launch date, something which has added to the excitement surrounding the phone. However, with this latest bit of information, fans can look forward to queue up outside Apple stores in September this year.
We all anticipate that the iPhone 5 would definitely have improved features than its predecessor. The price of iPhone 5 is expected around $800, in line with the iPhone 4S which retails at $750. Let us take a look at what all can we expect from the iPhone 5.
(Disclaimer : The device shown here isn’t iPhone 5. Apple has not officially released any image of iPhone 5 as of now.)
iPhone 5 – What Can you Expect?
4G
There is a high possibility that the iPhone 5 will work on 4G speeds. It is not clear whether it would be the faster LTE version or the standard version. Well, with the device all set to host a faster processor, it will be really great if Apple gets the 4G LTE on board.
Bigger Display
iPhone 4S is around 3.5 inches long (diagonally), and offers users a good view of images and web data, but with the likes of Samsung’s mammoth 5.3 inch Note, it may be possible that Apple comes up with a 4″ display. Succumbing to industry trends has never been Apple’s way of working, but won’t it be nice if we get a bigger iPhone, just to show them apart!
Near Field Communication (NFC)
NFC is a technology which allows a device to communicate and exchange data with other devices in close proximity. If iPhone 5 is NFC compatible, it will open new avenues for you to transfer data, make ‘contactless payments’ etc. This technology is going to be massive in the coming years, as it has been predicted that it would be used in healthcare, shipping, tickets, parking meters etc.
Improved Camera
Well, the 8 MP shooter on the iPhone 4S is good enough to take crystal-clear photos, but we guess the iPhone 5 will have a better camera. With the likes of HTC, Samsung and Sony Ericsson already dominating the smartphone market with 10 – 12 MP cameras, Apple has some serious competition in this segment.
Slim Design
The current trend in the smartphone segment is, “The slimmer, the better.” Some of the bestselling phones in the recent past have been slim and suave. Apple will be keeping an eye on this factor and this can mean that we get to see a leaner iPhone. The iPhone 4S at 9mm is reasonably slim for the myriad functions it performs, but in this era where a new Android phone is launched almost every week, the iPhone 5 will have to be competitive in every aspect. We won’t be surprised if new iPhone is a shade under 7mm.
Metal Body
For you who love the glass body of the iPhone 4 and 4S, this can be heartbreaking. It has been reported that Apple has roped in Liquidmetal to make a metal body for iPhone 5. If you love phones with a metal body, you will have one more reason to look forward to the new iPhone.
Standard Micro-USB Connector
Many users have complained in the past how iPhone’s 30-pin connector can become a nuisance, and the need for a connector that is industry-standard. Apple may work on this issue and provide a smaller Micro-USB connector, but whether it will be an industry-standard, is highly doubted, because if Apple implements a universal connector, it will put an end to the revenue it generates by charging licensing fee on accessories.
FaceTime on 3G
Honestly, video-chat using the cellular network is a feature that is long overdue. With the launch of the iOS 6, there is every likelihood that you will be able to make a video call without checking out whether you are in a hotspot zone. Exactly which networks will support this feature is not yet known.
Nano-SIM
It is almost confirmed that the new iPhone will host a Nano SIM. It will be smaller than the existing SIM card that is used on the iPhone 4S. Carriers in Europe have already started to make these Nano-SIM cards so that they are ready for the iPhone 5’s September launch.
From all the information that we have, there is a high probability that we will get to see the iPhone 5 in September this year. Till that time, keep your spirits high, but do not forget to keep your bank-balance leveled! Let us see, if this time around too, it changes everything yet again!