Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

A new video purportedly showing the bigger, sturdier iPhone 6 in action has been ‘leaked’ online by consumer tech lifestyle portal T3 listing features including the rumoured 5.7-inch screen, a more powerful A7 chip for gaming enthusiasts, and sporting Apple’s new iOS 7 software.

Rumours about the iPhone 6 launching in 2014 have been buzzing around for quite some time now.

But with this new ‘digital’ proof, it is looking more and more likely that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) will launch a bigger iPhone in 2014 to take on Samsung’s phablets and ever-larger smartphones, most notably the Korean firm’s spearhead 5-inch Samsung Galaxy S4 .According to T3, with Android smartphones like the HTC One and Huawei P6 now boasting screen sizes of 4.7-inches and upwards whilst still keeping Full HD displays, it would make sense for Apple to release a product that could compete with them physically.

Specs: Screen, size, resolution

The new video is quite graphic in detailing the specs of the upcoming iPhone 6, providing not just the screen size, but also resolution (1920x1080 Retina display), physical specs including height, width, weight, etc., and of course images and a visual comparison with the current iteration iPhone 5.

Operating system: iOS 7 all the way

While much of this should still be taken with a pinch of salt – as all Apple rumours should be – the most likely of these to happen is the iPhone 6 upgrade to iOS 7 platform. The new platform is a complete overhaul of the OS, and was announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2013 earlier this month.

Apple maintains that the iOS 7 is the most advanced mobile OS, and is coming this fall (which in the northern hemisphere runs from September 22, 2013, until December 30, 2013).

The new OS will have a new design – rounded icons, striking colors and a stark font – along with a plethora of new features like Control Center, AirDrop for iOS and smarter multitasking. Here’s a link to Apple’s iOS 7 information campaign.

Attire: Multi-coloured yes, but metal or plastic, or both?

Apple has been reportedly working on unveiling multiple colours for its new iPhone 6, as opposed to the current white or black variants.

But what’s also gaining credence among Apple-watchers is a rumour that the Cupertino-based tech giant might make the switch to plastic, at least for its low-end offering. According to many reports for iPhone 6, Apple is working on transparent plastic cases, which allows internal parts to be seen from outside.

However, it still is not clear that such cases are being worked up for the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6. Rumors in early June 2013 pointed at a $399 price point for the cheap iPhone 6.

Eyes-free Siri for your Ferrari

In addition, the iPhone 6 is expected to improve its Siri capabilities on the one hand, and be ready for an eyes-free in-car experience on the other.

Making a splash by going waterproof

The new iPhone 6 could also be waterproof, giving in to the trend being set by a number of tier 1 smartphones, including the Sony Xperia Z, the LG Optimus JG, Huawei Ascend D2, and the new Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.

Snap and shoot

Moreover, the new iPhone 6 will have a much better camera capabilities to compete with the 18MP camera of the Samsung Galaxy S4, which is clearly one of the best cameras in smartphones today.

Apple will be banking on Sony’s next-gen camera sensors to propel it near to the Galaxy S4’s camera capabilities, and is rumoured to be looking at a 13-megapixel sensor that requires less space without compromising image quality.

In May, Apple Insider reported on a patent allowing the iPhone to remotely control other illuminating devices, meaning extra flashes. The new technology works in a similar fashion to those in professional photography studios.

Availability and Pricing

Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, who has in the past correctly predicted a number of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) launches, reported in his report in April that Apple Inc. will launch its iPhone 6 in June 2014, with a bigger display.

But it’s likely that Apple will unveil the iPhone 5S by next month. With a number of online dealers in the US and UK recently beginning to undertake a spring-cleaning exercise of the current and previous iterations of Apple’s smartphone, the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S, it is likely that the new iPhone 5S will be unveiled by next month, fingers-crossed, and might hit the stores coinciding with the ‘fall’ launch of the iOS 7.

As for the pricing, Apple has, in the past, tried to maintain its pricing in the same range as the outgoing version, which would suggest that the unlocked iPhone 5S will be priced between $649 and $849 (Dh2,599 and Dh3,399 in the UAE).

The low-cost version, for mass markets like India and China, might be cheaper by at least $200, or in the range of $449 and $649 (Dh1,799 and Dh2,599).