Apple iPhone 5 Information and Rumours Round Up

Technology is a fast moving area and one which is full of news, leaks and information – especially when a product release is imminent. One of the hottest topics at the moment is the Apple iPhone 5 with new information and rumours surfacing on a near daily basis. We of course cover all the notable ones and decided to create a page/hub that will be frequently updated with Apple iPhone 5 news.

Release date

Apple is usually a stickler for annual releases and is expected to unveil the iPhone 5 in the summer as usual; however there have been a few ‘leaks’ from people in the know that suggest otherwise. A recent report suggests that analysts are split with some feeling the iPhone 5 will be released in the summer whilst others feel it will come out in September for varying reasons. Apple has very rarely broken their annual timeline and our best bet for a release date would still be in the summer with a possible appearance coming at the WWDC 2011 conference.

Update:

A recent report by the Reuters group said that three different sources have told them that the iPhone 5 will go into production in July in preparation for a September release date, although this goes against what others are saying they are a reputable source and this information shouldn’t be discounted.

Design

There have been various leaks and even supposed videos of the iPhone 5, again these have been split into two camps. The first believe that the iPhone 5 will look the same as the iPhone 4, a kind of internal upgrade like we saw when the 3G became the 3GS. A set of questionable engineering drawings seemed to support this theory.

Other leaks have shown the phone with a new curved aluminium back which is thinner and looks much like the iPad 2. It is rumoured that the antenna will be moved behind the Apple logo which will be made of a hardened resin to improve network reception.

New battery and screen technology should result in a thinner form factor which should also allow it to shed weight. A feat that the iPad 2 managed and one that Apple will want to repeat with the iPhone 5.

Screen

One of the earliest display rumours related to Apple switching allegiances to Toshiba for production of their displays.  Since then a lot has happened in the east and Apple will undoubtedly be using the supplier that can get the job done on time. Whoever this is could be producing a widescreen without a bezel.

Processor

The iPad 2 came with a brand new dual core A5 Qualcomm processor, this would be more than man enough to power the iPhone 5 which should keep it inline with Android based devices that possess increasingly powerful processors. Apple used the A4 chip first seen in the iPad in the iPhone 4 so one could safely assume they will repeat this in the same way with the iPhone 5.

Near Field Communication

Near field communication (NFC) is a payment solution that allows users to purchase items up to £15 with a swipe of their smartphone. Initially Apple said that ‘there is a clear lack of standard across the industry’ and dismissed that they would use it, a later report suggested that they are developing their own system and have employed several key figures to spearhead the program. A NFC expert close the firm said he was certain the iPhone 5 would come with NFC technology.

Cameras

The dual cameras will undoubtedly get an overhaul because they are one of the easiest things to upgrade. Sir Howard Stringer (that’s Sony’s CEO) let slip that Sony were supplying Apple with their best lenses which presumably are iPhone 5 bound. These are likely to be 8MP lenses capable of shooting full HD – finally an iPhone with a decent camera.

Storage

The latest news suggests that the largest capacity iPhone will be boosted to 64GB, up from 32GB. iOS 5 is also rumoured to come with a new cloud based digital locker which would provide even more storage which could be accessed anywhere in the world.

iOS 5

The new iOS 5 is expected to come with a digital music locker and find my friends feature; this is likely to be released at WWDC 2011. Apple unveiled iOS alongside the iPhone 4 at the same event in 2010, we could see a repeat performance in 2011 with an all new iPhone and OS.

We will continue to add more details here as and when they arise so please check back soon as the merry-go-round of iPhone 5 rumours continues to turn.