iPhone 5: A guide to the early rumors
An aluminium case. A bigger screen. The ability to use your phone like a credit card. Here's what insiders are saying about Apple's next-generation phone
In February, Apple released its long-rumored Verizon-compatible iPhone 4, and last week, it unveiled the iPad 2. But notoriously insatiable techies are already clamoring for information about the company's next big thing: The iPhone 5. Naturally, Apple is confessing little about the new device's specs and release date. But tech junkies are hot on the case, vying to uncover clues about what Steve Jobs has up his sleeve. Here's the best they've come up with:
An all-aluminum case?
In January, Endadget forecast that the new iPhone would be a "completely redesigned handset." Taiwan's Economic Daily News seemed to validate that prediction last week when, citing a Chinese supply-chain worker, it reported that Apple was planning to replace the iPhone 4's heavy glass case with a lighter all-aluminum shell. The glass' vulnerability to scratching and cracking apparently led Apple to reconsider.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A bigger screen?
In February, Taiwanese tech newspaper DigiTimes reported that Apple was planning to expand the iPhone's screen size from 3.5 to 4 inches to "compete with the Google Android platform in the 4- to 7-inch smartphone market." Larger smartphone screens have been trending in the past year, and even a modest increase would make watching videos on the iPhone more satisfying, argue theorists.
A new processor chip?
DigiTimes also reported that Apple was outsourcing the manufacture of a newer, faster A5 processor chip to a company called Taiwan Semiconductor, leading analysts to draw happy conclusions about a speedier iPhone 5. Samsung, which had handled processor chip orders in the past, reportedly could not keep up with Apple's demand.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The potential to swipe the phone like a credit card?
New Android phones are already being equipped with near-field communication (NFC) technology that allows them to initiate and process the phone-based payments that Google is pioneering. ReadWriteWeb reported in January that Apple had hired an NFC expert in 2010, and filed several related patents — hinting that the company might integrate the technology into its next phone.
A June or July release date?
Word is that Apple plans to launch the iPhone 5 sometime in the summer, consistent with its previous four iPhone releases. Kristy Korcz at Geek Sugar is eyeing June 23. Her reasoning: Given that certain upgrade discounts for AT&T customers end on July 23, "I'm guessing that AT&T will give current iPhone customers a full month to trade up before shutting down its upgrade programs for good."
-
Supreme Court to resolve Louisiana gerrymander
Speed Read The court will hear a case challenging the second majority-Black district in the state
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
America might be in a second Gilded Age
In the Spotlight The first Gilded Age was marked by rising inequality and a push for social change
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why are tech companies backing CISPA?
feature Online privacy advocates and the tech industry joined forces to sink SOPA. But now they're split over another piece of arguably invasive internet regulation
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Was Twitter almost called Twitch?
feature An interview with the company's co-founder reveals the surprising origins and evolution of the social networking site's name
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Net neutrality explained in two minutes
feature Watch a video editor break down the ins and outs of net neutrality
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
iPad: What Apple's Oscar ad revealed
feature Obsessive techies are scrutinizing the iPad's first TV ad for clues about the mystery device. Here, six new insights, theories, and concerns
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Google vs. China
feature Will Google's threat to leave China get Beijing to ease online censorship?
By The Week Staff Last updated