I agree that the iPhone 4 is a great phone, but with all gadgets and computers they need to get faster with each release to keep up with the software that keeps pushing the limits. My 3Gs is a great phone, but the current software that is supported for iPhone 3GS typically runs far better on an iPhone 4.
I want to see a dual core processor with a decent bump in RAM. Dual core is great, but RAM is probably the biggest thing. The iPhone 4 has 512MB, and I'd like to see a full 1GB of RAM to keep more things active for multitasking and run some more impressive apps. One of the major reasons I upgraded my iPad to an iPad 2 was the bump in RAM (though I had hoped for a full 1GB, only got 512MB).
So to me, RAM and CPU represent some vast improvements. The camera is great, but there is also room for improvement there as well since technology has improved a bit in lens that will allow it to better take advantage of an 8MP sensor.
As far as screen goes, I don't want any change in resolution. But if Apple were to get the screen slightly larger I would be ecstatic because my fingers are a bit on the large side.
The other internal improvements that would rock are the ability to do CDMA and GSM (3.5G) and LTE 4G (wishful, I know given the power draw on the current chips). I would also love to see a 64GB storage option and battery improvements while not glamorous are always always welcome -- a long battery life does more for the mobile phone experience then most people realize. Finally, graphics processing improvements can never be ignored as they effect just about everything you do when interacting with the iPhone UI since it is effectively rendered like a game is rendered using the hardware acceleration.
I could care less about the "exclusivity" of getting to show off a new form factor when I buy an iPhone 5, but it would be nice if Apple found a way to make the glass on the iPhone a bit more durable. I've seen too many cracked iPhone 4s and I hate having a case for my phone (maybe I will get a sleeve for it).
Anyway, if I see those kind of things I will be ecstatic. The LTE and bigger screen are "stretch goals" but would score huge huge points.
I agree with you largely in part, up until the LTE part. I think that to only have 512mb of ram on the iphone 4 is a bit of a joke by today's standards. I think the processor is efficient enough, I don't think that dual core is necessary, but it would be welcomed. I too wouldn't mind a larger screen, but please, no HUGE ones like droid x, 4" TOPS. And yeah, 4G LTE would be cool to "Flaunt" and say you've got over other phones to give yourself a hard-on, but to be honest, its too early (especially considering the power draw and larger size). Verizon 4G network is still really limited and don't even get me started on anyone else's "4G network". I think its simply on the bottom of the pecking order.
I think that something that has been LARGELY ignored throughout all of the iPhone updates is the battery life. Perhaps this hasn't really changed much because battery technology has not really made vast improvements lately. But I would rather have a phone that can actually last an entire day of me using it than have a dual core processor, 4G LTE or some other B.S. performance feature.
What good is the ability to play a graphically intense and immersive game if you can't play it for more than an hour without plugging it in on a MOBILE PHONE?
Right now I woke up at 10am, have used my phone for about 45 minutes for GPS and iPod use (at the same time) and have made maybe 1 or two calls and opened 3 or 4 apps. It is now 2:30pm and I have a craptastic 40% battery life on a brand new iPhone 4 White that I have had for maybe 1 month and was fully charged this morning... That just simply isn't cutting it.
So MY wishlist, is an improved camera, improved video, improved 3G reliability & signal, possibly more ram and a slightly larger screen, and MUCH better battery life. Anything besides that is just icing on he cake (dual core, LTE, etc) as long as I can get all of the previously aforementioned items first.
On a bit of a side-note. Has anyone else been finding lately that the widespread AT&T network issues is really only isolated to the iPhone. I'm starting to think that it really isn't AT&T's fault, as much as it is apple's. I have other 3G enabled AT&T phones that have no problem and much better service in the same locations!
EDIT: Oh, and storage improvements would be nice too. I'm pushing the limit on my 32GB iPhone 4 right now (have about 20gb in music). I think 32gb would have been sufficient if the cloud service turned out to be streaming, but since it isn't, I don't think a cap at 32gb is cutting it anymore...