iPhone 6 has WHAT?!

Let’s face it: technology is an ever-moving train and most Americans aren’t afraid to hop on board. Take Apple’s iPhone models for instance. It’s only been a few months since Apple released the high-end iPhone 5S and a more cost-effective option, iPhone 5C. However, consumers and business analysts are already churning out rumors about what Apple has in store with its next iPhone, dubbed iPhone 6. Though Apple is yet to announce that it is working on a successive model, rumors continue to fly. Some state that two models will be released, one being a bigger screen that iPhone’s usual 4.7 inches. Others suggest that the new flagship smartphone will boast features such as sapphire glass display and wireless solar charging. But which predictions are likely to come true?

 

Bigger screens

If you’ve been complaining about the tiny smartphone screens, you might get exactly what you desire from the upcoming handsets. The new iPhones will have bigger displays, more than 5 inches to be exact. This change they state is due to competition from smartphone companies who produce phones with larger screens.

 

Much has been unclear about the exact size. After all, Apple is yet to announce the exact size of the display. However, several sources continue to make interesting claims. For instance, according to a report by BGR, both Apple analyst Peter Misek as well as business analyst, Timothy Arcuri venture to guess that the device will feature a 4.8 display. These speculations are similar to that of Ming-chi Kuo, a KGI Securities analyst who claimed that upcoming flagship devices would have a diagonal measurement of 4.5 to 5 inches. The similarity among these claims from expert analysts suggests that they might have hit the nail on its head.  Could Apple have a much bigger screen up its sleeve after years of resisting the smartphone trends that inspired larger displays? Apple fans will have to wait and see.

 

Displays as hard as sapphire glass

Apple is known for being an innovative trendsetter in the area of technology. Therefore, it’s not surprising to hear some reports suggest that Apple is developing models with sapphire glass displays. The iPhone company has previously incorporated sapphire glass for example in the iPhone 5S fingerprint scanner and camera. But sapphire glass displays? What’s that all about?

 

There are several benefits to using sapphire glass for smartphone displays instead of Gorilla Glass or other materials which are often used to create displays for smartphones. As the hardest natural material with the exception of diamond, it’s definitely a force to be reckoned with. A report from MIT Technology Review gives increased perspective about the strength of sapphire glass. Kevin Bullis, the writer of the report, states that sapphire glass is about 3 times stronger than Gorilla Glass and about three times as scratch resistant.

 

These displays offer protection, creating tough displays that more efficiently withstand pressure or damage. That means you won’t have to worry about replacing your smartphone’s display if it shatters or cracks due to a fall. You’ll also be better able to keep your phone in a good condition since it’ll be less likely to have scratches. However, protection is not the only benefit of a sapphire glass display. That’s where wireless charging comes into the picture.

 

Wireless solar charging

As you might be aware, several flagship smartphones offer wireless charging. In some cases, a phone is placed directly on a wireless charging pad while technologies such as magnetic resonance wireless charging allows device to get a boost without direct contact.

 

However such technologies may soon be challenged by a newer more eco-friendly option. Yahoo writer Chris Smith in his article entitled “The iPhone 6 may have a different kind of wireless charging” suggests that sapphire glass technology may include solar cells. This would enable users to charge their phone by using the sun, a great power source which remains largely untapped within the world of technology.

 

The fact that Apple revealed its staggering US $500+ million contract with GT Advanced Technologies last year suggests that it is definitely interested in using sapphire glass in its products since the company is directly involved in sapphire glass production. But could sapphire glass be used to enable solar wireless charging in iPhone 6?  Let’s keep our fingers crossed until the big reveal.

 

Thinner and sleeker frame

What else could be different about the iPhone? Those who like ultra-thin headsets may get just what they desire if they purchase the next iPhone. A Korean source claims that the upcoming Apple flagship will be 6 millimeters thick. To put this in perspective, consider the last two Apple smartphones, the iPhone 5S and 5C. The 5S was 7.6 millimeters thick while the 5C measured 8.97 millimeters. When compared to these models it’s obvious that if the Koran source is correct, the iPhone 6 will be much thinner than its predecessors. Though this would not be an outstanding feature, it would highlight Apple’s desire to constantly upgrade its products while creating sleeker and more attractive models.

 

Early release

Since Apple is yet to release any information about its upcoming handsets, no one knows for sure when these phones will be unveiled. This hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning out a long list of claims. Some of these claims can easily be debunked. However, others seem much more plausible. For instance, some analyst state that the next Apple smartphone will be launched in September.  This is quite possible since in the past, the smartphone company launched its flagships a year after the previous model hit the market.  Since the most recent models were released September 2013, it’s possible that iPhone 6 will follow a year after.

 

But let’s not ignore the possibility of an early release. CNET, a leader distributor of information related to technology, mentioned in an article that the smartphone could possibly be revealed in June during the Worldwide Developers Conference. If this is the case, one could presume that competition from Samsung and other smartphone makers could be an attributing factor. After all, companies like Samsung are expected to unveil their latest flagships around May or June. If Apple chooses an early release it would probably give them an edge over their competitors. However, since Apple has remained tight-lipped about the iPhone 6 we’ll just have to watch the horizons and keep our ears open until we get a glimpse of the upcoming handset.

 

Business analysts and Apple enthusiasts are hot on the trail of the next flagship device. Though facts are a bit sketchy, rumors suggests that the iPhone 6 will boast several interesting features including a bigger screen, sapphire glass display and wireless charging via solar cells. Let’s hope the handset will offer these features and much more.

 

 

 

 

iPhone 6 has WHAT?!