iPhone 5

Now the iPhone 5 rumors are flying fast and furious, with June, the typical launch window for next-generation iPhones, quickly approaching. Will the iPhone 5 have a completely new design or just be a slightly modified version of the iPhone 4 with enhanced parts and various tweaks? Will the launch be delayed until fall, as several reports are now suggesting? Will there be a smaller, lower-cost iPhone?


iPhone 5: most-wanted features

4G network compatible

The one big thing missing from the iPhone 4 is the lack of next-gen 4G data network support, which is probably why Apple called it the 4 instead of the 4G.

AT&T will reportedly have a 4G network up and running in 2011, whereas Sprint has already rolled out its next-gen network. Verizon has also deployed its 4G network, which currently works with one phone, the HTC Thunderbolt (the data speeds are impressive). However, the Verizon iPhone 4 doesn't support 4G data.
Many don't believe Apple will include "true" 4G data support in the next iPhone 5, mainly because using 4G data networks are taxing on battery life. However, if Apple decides to delay the iPhone 5's launch date until the fall, the odds increase that it will make the iPhone 5 a true 4G phone.
Chances of implementation: 50 percent

iOS 5

What new features will iOS 5 bring? Who knows, but we look forward to its arrival.
Chances of implementation: 100 percent




Better battery life

Every time Apple puts out a new iPhone, the battery life gets better, so we expect no less from the fifth-generation iPhone. Apple says the iPhone 4 has 40 percent more talk time than the iPhone 3GS. So, if the past is any indicator, we might see similar gains in next year's model.

Chances of implementation: 90 percent

 

 

  

 

Larger screen

Rumors continue to surface that Apple will be expanding the size of its iPhone screen to compete with the larger screens on Android smartphones.

From our polling on CNET, we've found that a clear majority of our readers want a larger screen. However, they don't want the iPhone to get any bigger or lose any battery life.

We're hoping Apple can come up with the right balance, but as you can see from this mock-up, going to 4 inches makes a significant difference and is probably the optimal size for a smartphone screen.

Chances of implementation: 50 percent

 Dual-core processor

With Apple's acquisition of PA Semiconductor, it's started designing and churning out its own CPUs, including the new 1GHz A5 dual-core processor that's in the iPad 2. That same processor will almost assuredly make its way into the next iPhone. (The iPhone has an A4 processor that also runs at 1GHz, but the A4 has a single-core architecture).

It's worth mentioning that LG, Motorola, and others have already released dual-core Android phones.
Chances of implementation: 100 percent

Better camera

We certainly appreciate that Apple improved the camera in the iPhone 4 (5 megapixels; LED flash), but we've seen rumors that Sony is developing an even better 8-megapixel camera for the fifth-gen iPhone.

Chances of implementation: 95 percent








Video chat (FaceTime) over cellular network

Currently, on the iPhone 4, FaceTime only works over Wi-Fi (yes, there are some workarounds to get it to work over 3G, but Apple doesn't officially support it). We'd like to see an option to use it over a cellular data network, and hope it's supported when AT&T's faster 4G network ramps up in 2011.












Improved home screen

We're still waiting for a more customizable home screen, with a real "dashboard" and a better, streamlined notifications system. Android has its widgets. iOS 5 needs something similar.

Chances of implementation: 70 percent














More memory

A lot of people were disappointed that the iPhone 4 didn't come in a 64GB version (only 16GB and 32GB). Maybe next year we'll get 64GB.

Chances of implementation: 50 percent






Expandable memory

Not happening, but just thought we'd ask.

Chances of implementation: 0 percent