Next iPhone - what will Apple introduce?
With the iPhone 3G and 3GS already having established themselves as major players in the smartphone market, all eyes are now on the next generation iPhone.
So we’ve compiled a short summary of what you can expect in the forthcoming model, what analysts expect and when you can expect to see it.
Anticipated improvements
Camera
The new model phone is widely tipped to offer a 5mp camera and that’d put it firmly on par with the recently announced Google Nexus One. The 3G 2mp resolution was enhanced to 3.2mp on the 3GS but it still doesn’t take a brilliant picture and is too easily outshone by it’s rivals.
Adding a much needed flash to the camera seems a dead cert.
Image Recognition
Another popular train of thought is that Apple is putting lots of resources into RFID (image identification) that will see the iPhone become much more than a barcode scanner. There are already applications that cater for facial recognition and it seems likely that Apple will bring a standard application to the iPhone with a much more advanced set of features.
Business Applications
With an audience of users from the business community migrating to the iPhone from Blackberry devices you can expect to see more business orientated apps make there way into the standard software set. CRM facilities are mooted to be rolled out and offer a new range of genuine productivity and management tools to the business user.
Multi-core Processor
Despite the speed increase that the 3GS gives over it’s predecessor it would seem that this isn’t enough for Apple. A multi-core processor is perhaps the most significant hardware change that users might benefit from. If that does make the final cut, and it’d be unlikely not to at this stage, then you’ll probably be looking at the most powerful mobile phone processor on the market.
Storage Space
Storage space is almost certain to increase in order to handle the extra load requirement that a faster processor and better apps will bring – so 64gb seems possible as the entry point.
Screen Resolution
With a relatively lowly, though still impressively clear, screen resolution of 320x480 it’d be a surprise to us if Apple didn’t enhance this. Some analysts predict a massively improved 800x480 but we’re not sure Apple will push it that far – and do they need to (not to mention the negative impact this’d have on an often criticised battery life as it is).
Charging
Touch charging is a longer shot, but Apple may still go through with it and eaethe burden of the battery life by offering a more convenient method of getting that power boost when you need it most.
4G Network
The introduction of a 4G device is something we’re not too sure about. Many industry experts are predicting it but we think it’ll be too early. Having a device capable of supporting 4G is one thing but having enough network coverage to offer it is another.
Battery
There are also rumours of a removeable battery – but we think it is safe to forget those straight away. Apple have never been keen on removeable batteries in any of it’s product range and we don’t see that changing on a device that needs pinpoint design to retain it’s aesthetic crown.
When will it arrive?
The betting seems to be on a June announcement and launch soon after.
With the Nexus One on the scene now and expected in Europe in March 2010 this date is believable for an Apple counter attack.
It’d be a year on from the major OS update and the 3GS launch so it’d be unusual for Apple to miss this upgrade window at such a critical time in the smartphone market.
That said, the Nexus One has failed to capture our imagination and it’s lack of multi-touch screen is one that has disappointed many; so maybe Apple doesn’t have too much to worry about anyway.
We’ll test it
One of the iPhones here is due for change in April 2010 – so if the June date looks like being met then we’ll hold on to the 3G for a while longer and take one of the new models.
We’ll then do a direct side-by-side review with the 3GS per our very popular article of last year – so keep checking back for the real world test when it comes.
