Apple's iPhone 6 is the much anticipated to the very successful iPhone 5s, and because it has already been nine months since Apple released its predecessor, the countdown to anticipate the all-new smartphone from the technology giant has totally begun. Rumors, leaks, and previews of the iPhone 6 have run amuck online, and if you are one of the Apple fans who like be updated, we've scavenged for all the details and feats that will satiate your iPhone craving.
Last year, specifically in September, Apple broke from its traditional one-handset release which started six years ago, when it released two iPhones in the smartphone market: the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c. On that note, it seems like the Cupertino-headquartered tech giant is ready to start a new tradition by following last year's release with a new pair of iPhone devices. Thus, we can't really say that we're waiting for a single iPhone 6 as previous reports have already revealed that the successors to the 5s and 5c will sport a 4.7-inch and a 5.5-inch display.
Although Apple Inc. has been nothing but tight-lipped on the release of the two handsets, critics and tech reviewers are speculating that the iPhone 6s will be unveiled in mid-September, if one is to look at the official release of iOS 8. The 4.7-inch variant is said to be coming on September 19th while the 5.5-inch variant is to debit in October along with Apple's new iWatch.
Last week, photos of an assembled 4.7-inch iPhone 6 were posted on Weibo, this week snaps of the 5.5-inch next generation iPhone were leaked online, according to BGR. With the two significantly larger iPhones, one can say that the two predecessors would certainly appear way smaller than the next-generation Apple smartphones.
The 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is said to sport the same chassis and design found on the iPhone 5s, only that this time it's been stretched to compensate for the increase in display size. In contrast, the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will be Apple's entry to the phablet market. The model will sport a nearly bezel-free design on the sides, slimmer volume buttons, and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner that is very similar to the one found in the iPhone 5s.
Apart from the two new devices, Apple is also gearing up for the launching of its new iOS, the iOS 8. It was actually unveiled last June 2, but now the company is working on the right kinks in beta versions of the software, which is slated to be officially released on Sept. 10, exactly 100 days after its unveiling.
In terms of design, mockups of the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch variants have already surfaced online, and most if not all of them suggest that Apple is going for a more rounded design for its new smartphones. TechSmartt's Keaton Keller even confirmed these speculations saying that indeed Apple Inc. is working on a slimmer and more rounded built for the iPhone 6s, which is highly reminiscent of the fifth-gen iPod Touch from the company.
Hardware-wise, the sleep/wake switch has been moved to the side of the device, for improved comfort and to compensate for the stretched appearance of both handsets. The 5.5-inch variant is even said to be "bigger" than the Samsung galaxy Note 3 though the latter sports a 5.7-inch display. It is also bigger than LG's G3 handset which boasts a 5.5-inch display as well.
The display of the two iPhones and that of the all-new iWatch are going to be made of Sapphire glass from GT Advanced Technologies, as opposed to earlier reports that Apple might be tapping Corning Inc. for its Gorilla Glass. The Sapphire glass is said to be "virtually scratch free" and "nearly indestructible."
To make the all-new iPhones even more interesting, Apple CEO Tim cook has already announced during the WWDC Keynote on June 2 that the iPhone 6 will have two new features, the HealthKit and the HomeKit. HealthKit is rumored to be a feature that will go in both the iPhone and the iWatch while HomeKit will tie together the iPhone devices to a connected "smart home."
When it comes to camera technology, the iPhone 6s will come with better quality cameras than those found in the iPhone 5s. The 8-megapixel camera with an f/2.2 aperture in the iPhone 5s is going to be surpassed by the 10-megapixel camera with f/.8 aperture and an improved filter that will come in the two new Apple smartphones.
"I think HomeKit is Apple's entire play in the smart home market for now," Jan Dawson, founder and chief analyst of Jackdaw Research, was quoted saying by IBTimes earlier this month. "I don't think we're going to see any hardware from Apple to support smart homes."
"It's much more likely that Apple will take the HomeKit route of allowing you to control a diverse set of devices from within iOS, increasing the value of the iPhone and iPad ecosystem," Dawson added.
Now, for those who are already saving some cash to ensure that they'll get the any of the new iPhones once they are released in the market, analysts are saying that Apple is very likely to charge an additional $100 for the increase in size of the handsets.
