We all know the iPhone 6 is coming; it's just a question of when.
Since 2008, Apple has unveiled an entirely new handset every two years,
and assuming it sticks to the same timeline, we're only a few months
away from the eighth iteration of the iPhone — naturally, we're pretty
stoked.
We're sure Apple will have a few tricks up its sleeve on the big day, but there's a lot we already know about the new iPhone. Leaked schematics, pilfered parts, and substantiated rumors have been floating around the Internet for a while now, so it's not too hard to get a pretty clear picture of what it will look like. (Plus, we're sure it'll be shipping with iOS 8.) Here's what we're likely to see:
Design
Each new numbered iPhone model has brought significant case changes, and it's a safe bet that this year will showcase another one. Based on a flurry of reports, it looks like Apple is going to modify its trademark shape for something a bit more akin to the iPod touch and iPad mini, sporting a slightly tapered design and extra rounded corners. Rumors are also calling for it to be significantly thinner than the iPhone 5s, while trimmings the thickness of the bezel even further. But don't expect anything too radical — the home button is sticking around until at least the iPhone 7.
Screen
With the new design comes one giant change: the display. While it won't be quite as large as the Galaxy S5 or HTC One M8, reports peg the iPhone 6 at around 4.7 inches, with a slightly-less-then-full-HD resolution of 1704-by-960. The extra screen real estate probably won't be enough to fit another column of icons in our home screens, but it'll certainly give developers more room to experiment with. Also rumored is an even bigger, phablet-sized phone clocking in at 5.5 inches, but details are extremely sketchy regarding that model. If it arrives, though, it looks to be timed a little later, possibly aligned with the iPad event.
Sapphire
When Apple unveiled its Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the iPhone 5s, the home button received a serious upgrade, with a stainless steel detection ring and, most importantly, a slick sapphire crystal covering. Now it seems that the scratch-resistant material is coming to the screen, too, as Apple and partner GT Advanced Technologies significantly ramped up sapphire production earlier this year, expanding operations in its Arizona plant far more than would be needed for a few million home buttons.
Timing
While early reports were claiming the iPhone 6 to arrive several months earlier than usual, a recent rumor says that Apple has been blocking vacations in September, traditionally a sign that something big is on the way. Last year, the iPhone 5s launched on Friday, Sept. 20, and one date pegged for the iPhone 6 is Sept. 19; however, some Apple watchers think it might arrive a week or two before that time frame. The one thing you can count on, however, is that demand will be through the roof, so you might want to start staking out your spot in line now.
NFC
Apple has thus far resisted the temptation of near field communication — despite rampant rumors that seem to pop up around this time every year — but it looks like the technology might actually make its way into the iPhone 6. Adding a bit of credence to the speculation this time around is a report that Apple is in talks with banking providers and retailers to seamlessly integrate a proprietary payment service into PassBook and the iPhone. We wouldn't be surprised to see nothing come of it, but it's definitely a stronger possibility than it's ever been.
Wireless Charging
Aside from its new design and updated specs, the iPhone usually has a killer new feature that gets everyone talking. Last year it was Touch ID, and if the rumors are right, this year it will be wireless changing. Most likely it'll be via a charging mat that still needs to come into physical contact with the phone, but we're holding out hope for a true Apple solution that requires no wires whatsoever — either through tiny solar panels or some kind of internal kinetic wizardry.
(Image via Sonny Dickson)
We're sure Apple will have a few tricks up its sleeve on the big day, but there's a lot we already know about the new iPhone. Leaked schematics, pilfered parts, and substantiated rumors have been floating around the Internet for a while now, so it's not too hard to get a pretty clear picture of what it will look like. (Plus, we're sure it'll be shipping with iOS 8.) Here's what we're likely to see:
Design
Each new numbered iPhone model has brought significant case changes, and it's a safe bet that this year will showcase another one. Based on a flurry of reports, it looks like Apple is going to modify its trademark shape for something a bit more akin to the iPod touch and iPad mini, sporting a slightly tapered design and extra rounded corners. Rumors are also calling for it to be significantly thinner than the iPhone 5s, while trimmings the thickness of the bezel even further. But don't expect anything too radical — the home button is sticking around until at least the iPhone 7.
Screen
With the new design comes one giant change: the display. While it won't be quite as large as the Galaxy S5 or HTC One M8, reports peg the iPhone 6 at around 4.7 inches, with a slightly-less-then-full-HD resolution of 1704-by-960. The extra screen real estate probably won't be enough to fit another column of icons in our home screens, but it'll certainly give developers more room to experiment with. Also rumored is an even bigger, phablet-sized phone clocking in at 5.5 inches, but details are extremely sketchy regarding that model. If it arrives, though, it looks to be timed a little later, possibly aligned with the iPad event.
Sapphire
When Apple unveiled its Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the iPhone 5s, the home button received a serious upgrade, with a stainless steel detection ring and, most importantly, a slick sapphire crystal covering. Now it seems that the scratch-resistant material is coming to the screen, too, as Apple and partner GT Advanced Technologies significantly ramped up sapphire production earlier this year, expanding operations in its Arizona plant far more than would be needed for a few million home buttons.
Timing
While early reports were claiming the iPhone 6 to arrive several months earlier than usual, a recent rumor says that Apple has been blocking vacations in September, traditionally a sign that something big is on the way. Last year, the iPhone 5s launched on Friday, Sept. 20, and one date pegged for the iPhone 6 is Sept. 19; however, some Apple watchers think it might arrive a week or two before that time frame. The one thing you can count on, however, is that demand will be through the roof, so you might want to start staking out your spot in line now.
NFC
Apple has thus far resisted the temptation of near field communication — despite rampant rumors that seem to pop up around this time every year — but it looks like the technology might actually make its way into the iPhone 6. Adding a bit of credence to the speculation this time around is a report that Apple is in talks with banking providers and retailers to seamlessly integrate a proprietary payment service into PassBook and the iPhone. We wouldn't be surprised to see nothing come of it, but it's definitely a stronger possibility than it's ever been.
Wireless Charging
Aside from its new design and updated specs, the iPhone usually has a killer new feature that gets everyone talking. Last year it was Touch ID, and if the rumors are right, this year it will be wireless changing. Most likely it'll be via a charging mat that still needs to come into physical contact with the phone, but we're holding out hope for a true Apple solution that requires no wires whatsoever — either through tiny solar panels or some kind of internal kinetic wizardry.
(Image via Sonny Dickson)