If you’re one of the millions of people who search out news, rumors, and opinions about the Apple iPhone 5 each month, then you know that new, clever features are constantly being thrown about in the rumor mill.
Normally, the tech websites and blogs will post an article that spells out some interesting new features that may or may not end up in the iPhone 5.
1. Change in Design:
Aluminum / Liquid metal back - It seems more and more probable that the iPhone 5 is back with a metal back. This, of course, is not a new feature, but the return to an old feature. But there is a possibility that Apple could use the "liquid metal," which is a kind of amorphous solid metal alloy that is quite strong, hard-wearing, and withstands thermal cycling. The other cool thing about the liquid metal is shaped like a plastic. Maybe the name is cooler than the feature itself, but could do with good design features while helping improve any antenna issues.
2. Camera:
8 Megapixel Camera - iPhone users have wanted improved cameras for some time now, and Apple now seems ready to deliver. While the front-facing camera will probably remain lo-fi, the rear-facing camera on the iPhone 5 will most likely be upgraded to an 8 megapixel. The smartphone is expected to come with an improved flash unit for its camera. According to industry sources, Apple has reduced orders for iPhone 4's current LED flash. The iPhone 5 was expected to come with a dual LED flash with rumors that the flash unit will be separated from the camera sensor. It is also reported that its new panoramic imaging feature will allow instant panoramic shots with Apple’s stock photo app and that the device may also have the ability to record 1080p high definition videos.
3. Battery Life:
Removable Battery/Improved Battery Life - iPhone users have complained about the lack of replaceable battery on the iPhone design. And others have complained about the durability of the battery itself. But truth be told, Apple has done wonders to battery technology over the past few years with its impressive array of LiON batteries for their MacBooks, iPad, and beyond. It is doubtful that improving battery technology yet again will be a big priority for the iPhone 5 designers.
4. Dual Core Processor:
With most of the Android phones coming with dual-core processor, it is likely that iPhone 5 will also come equipped with dual-core processor. Though there is no report about the specs yet, most rumors suggest that iPhone 5 may carry iPad 2’s A5 1GHz processor.
5. Display:
3D Display and Camera - There’s no doubt that 3D technology has risen meteorically over the past couple years, with movies like Avatar, devices like the Nintendo DS, and now 3D digital television moving into mainstream use, in spite of some of the questions that remain about the safety of the technology. Apple has some patents both for a 3D display (similar to the Nintendo DS), but also for a 3D camera, which would be pretty groundbreaking. The 3D angle is definitely the kind of thing that could come from nowhere for the iPhone 5.
6. Keyboard:
Rumors of a slide-out keyboard for the iPhone 5 are polarizing for iPhone users: some love the prospect of having the option of a slide out keyboard, while others think it defeats the whole purpose of the iPhone being a touchscreen-driven design. Because Steve Jobs has pointedly poo-poo’ed the slide-out keyboard on smartphones in the past, it is unlikely. But there’s always an outside chance that the iPhone 5 could sport a dual touch screen, such as the new Kyrocera Echo.
7. Antenna:
A return to the internal antenna will also be less of a new feature and more of a “fix” to the iPhone 4′s antenna problem. Apple will be hard-pressed on how to “sell” the return to the internal antenna on the iPhone 5 after downplaying antennagate. If it comes to pass, it should be interesting, which is why I’m giving it one extra point of coolness.
8. USB:
USB 3.0/Thunderbolt - Kind of a big complaint for the iPhone is its lack of USB and connectivity. Some believe that the iPhone 5 could usher in new connectivity technologies alla USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt. While it may not seem like an outrageously exciting prospect, connectivity is really an unsung hero of great mobile technology, so let’s hope for it.
9.Storage:
64GB of Cloud Storage - Increasing the storage capacity for the iPhone 5 might be finally coming true, as fresh reports indicate that Apple has bought “petrabytes and petrabytes” of storage that would ostensibly support some kind of cloud-based storage solution for iPhone 5 users. Rarely do we have physical evidence to support a rumor, but seeing as Apple is investing in cloud storage, this rumor is looking brighter and brighter.
10. RAM:
2GB of RAM - There had been early rumors that Apple might double the iPhone 5′s RAM capacity from the 512 MB in the current iPhone to two gigabytes of RAM for the iPhone 5 as an accompaniment to the A5 chip and iOS 5. That would indeed be a welcome addition, but I have not heard much from the supplier side of the rumor mill to suggest that 2GB of RAM will materialize on the iPhone 5.
Additional:
A5 Chip and iOS 5 - It sort of goes without saying that both of these new developments will show up on the iPhone 5. Because we’ve already seen the A5 chipset in the iPad 2, it is a foregone conclusion that we’ll see it on the next iPhone.
AirSync - AirSync may not be the most exciting topic of conversation about the iPhone 5, but it is one of those features that could very well find its way onto the next iPhone. With more and more areas of mobile technology going wireless, the prospect of being able to sync without docking is very exciting indeed, and could free up the iPhone 5 to be more compatible in the area of connectivity. I see AirSynch as a dark horse feature for the iPhone 5, and one that people will be much more excited about than they currently realize.
HDMI Output Capability - HDMI output was a recent addition to the iPad 2, and it should be welcomed by HD enthusiasts and iPhone users alike, since it indicates that Apple is moving in the right direction of making its mobile devices more connectable. Because we’ve seen the addition of HDMI on the iPad 2, it is likely that it will show up on the iPhone 5 as well.
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