As this is Apple, the iPhone 6 hasn't officially been announced yet so nothing is for certain. That hasn't stopped lots of juicy iPhone 6 rumours floating around, though. This article brings you all of the latest rumours about Apple's future iPhone 6, which we expect will arrive in 2014. Not everything here will be accurate, but we'll try to give you an idea of how plausible each rumour is.
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New iPhone 6 release date: When will the iPhone 6 come out?
The iPhone line-up gets refreshed roughly once a year. The iPhone 6 is therefore likely to launch in 2014, around a year later than the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, which were unveiled on 10 September 2013 and hit the shelves on 20 September.However, some analysts and Apple watchers have suggested that Apple may decide to launch a new iPhone earlier in the year, perhaps at the company's annual WWDC event in June. This is certainly a possibility - Apple released the first four generations of iPhone in June, before moving to an September/October launch schedule.
iPhone 6 predictions: Isn't Apple too secretive for us to know anything?
Second-guessing Apple is traditionally a mug's game, but the legendarily secretive company has eased up under Tim Cook, and almost all the announcements at the 10 September press event had been correctly predicted beforehand. (Admittedly, plenty of predictions had been made that didn't come true, but pretty much everything that was announced came as no surprise to Apple rumour followers.)Particularly accurate were the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s rumours, many of which were completely true, including new iPhone colours and new features of the iPhones. Even the fingerprint sensor was discussed in the lead up to the event.
As we discuss elsewhere, Apple isn't quite as secretive as it used to be. (Compare today's Apple, where the software and hardware design teams work hand in hand under Sir Jony Ive's supervision, to the crazy days leading up the first iPhone's launch, when half the team didn't even know what the interface would look like).
What features will the new iPhone 6 come with?
The iPhone 5s closely resembles the iPhone 5, with some internal changes rather than external differences between the two models, apart from the fingerprint sensor and the new gold version. The iPhone 6, however, is likely to come with some significantly redesigned features when it arrives next year.Check out our 8 features Apple's new iPhone 5s doesn't have article to find out what rumoured features didn't arrive in iPhone 5s but could come to iPhone 6.
Of course, there's also the question of screen size, which seems to be hot topic right now. Read on for more.
Big-screen iPhone 6: will the iPhone 6 have a 5in screen?
One of the recurring rumours about the new iPhone 6 is that it will have a bigger screen. An attractive new render of a possible look for the iPhone 6 recently appeared on DeviantArt, by the user iNasko:With the popularity of bigger smartphones with larger screen sizes such as the 5in Samsung's Galaxy S4, and the 6.3in Galaxy Mega, and the rise of so called phablet devices, which fall half way between the smartphone and tablet categories by providing the functionality of a phone in a device closer to the size of a tablet, there have been calls for Apple to launch a bigger iPhone. Could the iPhone 6 be Apple's first Phablet phone?
See: Apple and the quest for a bigger smartphone screen
While we're not completely convinced about the rumours of a bigger iPhone, some analysts have said that they are "confident" that Apple will launch an iPhone with a bigger screen in 2014. Reports have suggested that the screen could be between 4.7in and 5.7in, while one analyst actually believes there will be two new iPhones next year, one at each of those sizes.
In September, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has an impressive Apple launch prediction track record, said that Apple is likely to launch an iPhone with a 4.5in or 5in screen next year, noting that Apple is unlikely to go bigger than 5in because of its "unwavering principle of one-handed use."
Also in September, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Brian White said that Apple would launch a "Mega iPhone" in 2014 to expand its reach in China and the rest of Asia, and reiterated his prediction in October following a meeting that left him "confident" that a 5in iPhone is coming.
Apple has certainly diversified its product ranges recently. There are now two different iPad models, the iPad mini and the iPad, and two new iPhones, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, so it's possible that the company will decide to take this even further.
Apple has previously ruled out a bigger iPhone screen, but it's reasoning was resolution and display quality rather than belief that it would be too big.
Earlier this year Apple CEO Tim Cook said: "My view continues to be that the iPhone 5 has the absolute best display in the industry. We always strive to create the very best display for our customers."
"Our competitors have made some significant trade-offs in many of these areas in order to ship a larger display," he said. "We would not shop a larger-display iPhone while these trade-offs exist."
Others note that when Apple launched the iPhone 5 it explained that the size of the screen was perfect as it would allow you to reach all corners of the screen comfortably. However, a report in October claimed that Apple's bigger iPhone would have a display resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels at 440dpi for a 5in screen, and that the company would make the side bezels "as thin as possible" to make it the first device in the 'phablet' category that can be operated using one hand.
We'd expect that Apple will launch a bigger iPhone alongside an iPhone with the current 4in display, as not everyone will be happy to carry around an iPhone with 5in device.
Read more about the bigger iPhone rumours here.
iPhone 6 rumours: NFC, wireless charging, iOS 8
Here are some more iPhone 6 rumours that have been circulating the web.iPhone 6 will have NFC
A patent published by the US Patent & Trademark Office suggested that Near Field Communication (NFC) technology could arrive with a future iPhone. The patent describes an iWallet transaction system that could work with the technology.The US Patent and Trademark published another new Apple NFC technology patent application in May, covering a range of features including a new focus on methods and systems for establishing an NFC session with an electronic device.
Apple watchers had been expecting NFC to arrive in the iPhone since as far back as the iPhone 4, though, so we're not sure whether Apple is convinced that the technology is worth persuing just yet.
SEE: Google Wallet chief's resignation another bad sign for NFC
AND: PayPal says it's time to ditch passwords and PINs, and Apple may lead the way with iPhone 6
iPhone 6 could have wireless charging capabilities
Apple could be planning to introduce wireless charging to its iPhone 6, following in the footsteps of Nokia, LG and HTC.Samsung launched its Galaxy S4 in March, which is expected to be the iPhone 6's biggest rival. Samsung's new flagship smartphone has many new features such as eye-tracking, but some analysts question whether some of those features will be used, or whether they will overwhelm some customers.
SEE: Galaxy S4 would be the ultimate iPhone, says analyst
AND: Reactions and reflections: Should Apple be scared of Samsung's Galaxy S4?
iPhone 6 to run iOS 8
Apple's all-new iOS 7 was shown off at WWDC 2013 in June. It has been given a complete redesign and some new features, including an iRadio music streaming service, and it was rolled out on 18 September. Find out more about iOS 7 in our iOS 7 review. Master iOS 7 using our 40 iOS 7 tips.
It's likely that Apple will update iOS again ahead of the iPhone 6 launch, making it iOS 8. We'll update this story when we hear more about what new features iOS 8 might include, though we expect it to be similar aesthetically to iOS 7.
More iPhone 6 rumours: not so convincing
Below are some further rumours about the iPhone 6 that have been floating around for a while but we're not convinced are true. Still, they're pretty interesting, and could be features that are in the pipeline for future iPhones, as several are based on Apple patents.The iPhone 6 will have a Smart Home Button that is oblong-shaped and touch-capacitive
This one's been around since forever (well, early 2011 at least). One iPhone 6 rumour suggests that Jony Ive (or Sir Jonathan Ive as he's formally known) is ready to introduce a wider, rounded-oblong home button that will be touch-capacitive. The iPhone 6 Home Button will not just push to return to the Home Screen, but you'll be able to swipe your finger left and right over it (we presume to move left and right between Apps, like the four-finger Multi-Touch gesture that you find on the iPad).This iPhone 6 rumour has some basis in fact, and we believe Apple has at least been experimenting with this idea (we have been reporting on it for a while).
Of course, Apple now has the Touch ID fingerprint sensor that can be found in the iPhone 5s, so it seems unlikely that even more technology will be built in to the Home button next time around.
See: iPhone 5s offers better security today, a peek at Apple of tomorrow
Will the iPhone 6 use sonar for face detection and 3D modelling?
Analysis of recent Apple patent activity has got our minds whirring. It seems Apple plans to build audio detection into the screens of some of its future devices, which may include the iPhone 6, and has also patented a system for using sonar for proximity detection.SEE ALSO: Future iPhones may smell, taste, and touch (as well as see and hear)
SEE: iPhone 6 rumour rollup: digital pens, 3D augmented reality and a 'killer feature'
iPhone 6 rumour: Smart Bezel
Apple has taken out several patents on a Smart Bezel (the plastic front surrounding the screen). In other words the Bezel will be able to display information as well as the screen. We've reported on the iPhone 6 Smart Bezel a few times, and Patently Apple, the source of many an Apple rumour has this article on the latest Apple patent on a Smart Bezel.In Apple's own words: "The primary display could be used to convey visual content to a user, and the secondary display could be used to guide a user providing inputs to the device. For example, the secondary display could be selectively illuminated to provide one or more indicators that represent where or how a user can provide inputs to the device."
What kind of level of information the Smart Bezel could display is up for debate. It certainly wouldn't be a 'screen extension', more like flashing buttons and symbols. This could guide users to tap parts of the screen, or indiciate new messages and suchlike.
iPhone 6 'could have flexible screen'
Apple's iPhone 6 may have a bendy, flexible display and body, if recent tech innovations and patent activity are any indicator.Apple's patents indicate that the company is exploring legal safeguards for a flexible design, but it looks like Samsung has pipped it to the post, showing off its flexible smartphone displays during the 2013 CES in Las Vegas in January.
An Apple patent filing and job listing in April also hinted at a flexible future for the iPhone.
The flexible display could alternatively (or, perhaps, additionally) be destined for the widely speculated iWatch device that Apple is rumoured to be working on for launch next year. Find out more about the iWatch in our iWatch rumour round-up.
SEE: Flexible-display smartphones just a 'novelty'... for now
AND: Patents reveal Apple is exploring curved and 'non-rectangular' batteries for future devices
iPhone 6 could read your mind
In February, an Apple patent application was published, describing a system that would allow an iPhone to automatically switch modes by anticipating your needs. Read more here.Apple's Cook, Ive and Federighi talk iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iOS 7 and future products
iPhone 6 leaked images and concept art
There are no leaked images of the iPhone 6, but there are lots of mockups that have been created by designers.Following the unveiling of iOS 7, ADR Studio came up with a new iPhone 6 concept based on the redesigned user interface, as shown below:
In early April, photos of an alleged iPhone 6 prototype emerged, showing what appears to be an iPhone with an edge-to-edge curved display and no home button.
In May, a new iPhone 6 concept video was created to show what a waterproof iPhone with wireless charging and touch sensitive buttons might look like:
In April, a concept of the rumoured Apple iPhone 6 showed a radical curved screen design:
Russian site AppleInsider.ru offers up a "hands-on" demo of the iPhone 6 via the video shown below:
Quote from :http://www.macworld.co.uk/
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