What do you think the new iPhone will look like?

[mavis]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G (white): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A312g Safari/528.16)

I think they'll definitely keep the front of the iPhone looking the exact same and they might(i think they will) add an iSight cam, but I actually think they'll go back to metal and stop selling the White MacBook so that all their products are alluminium, yeah they're was something wrong with the antenna and metal but I think apple will come out with something new that can handle the metal backing, I also think they'll have multiple colours and I obviously think it will be slimmer and I think they're going go keep that curved look

Slimmer? I hope not. I own both a 3G and a 2G iPod touch, and I find the touch VERY uncomfortable to hold tightly with one hand (eg, on a train or walking down the street) because it's just TOO thin, and tends to kind of cut into your hand. The iPhone 3G OTOH is very comfortable to hold, even for extended periods. The increased thickness means it's more rounded around the edges. More rounded = more comfortable.

 

[MacFly123]

Well it won't happen next summer either. No 4G network will be deployed to the extent where it can be utilized unitl mid-late 2011. So you MAY see the 2011 iPhone with this feature.

Now, granted, the 3G network can and would support Video Conferencing; AT&T is concerned that EVERY iPhone user will all of the sudden start iChatting away and crash the network.

The same thing can happen on other networks. We just have to wait and see what the future holds.

I still have some hope that it will be an available feature on this upcoming model.

What are your sources on mid-late 2011? AT&T has said several times that all through this year they will be upgrading software to go to 3.5G and right into 4G by Q2 2010 which would be right in time for a 4G iPhone.

 

[iWork]

What are your sources on mid-late 2011? AT&T has said several times that all through this year they will be upgrading software to go to 3.5G and right into 4G by Q2 2010 which would be right in time to a 4G iPhone.

Nonsense. You are confused. First, AT&T never used the term "3.5G" as it not standardized and often causes confusion. AT&T is currently deploying a second (and third in certain markets) 3G carrier on 850MHz, upgrading its backbone with new Juniper routers, and updating its baseband to support 7.2Mbps (theoretical), and expanding its 3G (and 2-2.5G) footprint. These activities will take some time to complete.

AT&T will then TRIAL HSPA+ (theoretical 21 Mbps) sometime in the future, likely early to mid 2010. The deployment will likely take place sometime afterwards, likely late 2010 to early 2011. HSPA+ is a more intensive upgrade than HSDPA-only to HSPA. AT&T may not even implement all aspects of HSPA+.

HSPA+ will attempt to serve as a bridge to LTE. LTE is a MASSIVE upgrade and will easily take several years to complete. LTE (4G) deployment will require an incredible amount of work, far more than the transition to 3G. Furthermore, LTE chipsets do not yet exist and will take some time to mature and find their way into mobile devices such as the iPhone. It's not a damn "software upgrade".

An "iPhone 4G" will likely appear on Verizon before AT&T. Verizon's deployment of LTE has been vastly accelerated. Verizon's EVDO is already at Rev. A and rather than end at Rev. B, Verizon has wisely chosen to implement LTE. Even Verizon will take a while to roll-out LTE, but because it will use its current 1xRTT infrastructure for voice Verizon's LTE deployment will take less time than AT&Ts. Also, LTE will require a solid backbone, and Verizon is far ahead of AT&T because of its last-mile fiber optic (FIOS).

The iPhone 2009 will likely support HSPA (7.2 Mbps). iPhone 2010 will likely support HSPA+ (21 Mbps). At some point, an EVDO Rev A iPhone may possibly appear, though unlikely.

Bottom line, iPhone LTE is off the table for 2009 and 2010, even for Verizon. Liberal estimates would place 2011 as iPhone LTE year, while conservative estimates would push iPhone LTE to 2012, though the explosion of data services will demand 2011.

Speaking of 4G, WiMax already is being deployed and chipsets exist, are being iterated upon, and are already in phones (HTC MAX 4G WiMax/GSM). If Clear/Sprint were healthy, Apple would probably consider a WiMax iPhone for 2010. Alas, that is not the case and Apple would probably not choose to create a phone for a single network (Yes, I know WiMax exists outside the US.).

 

[MacFly123]

Nonsense. You are confused. First, AT&T never used the term "3.5G" as it not standardized and often causes confusion. AT&T is currently deploying a second (and third in certain markets) 3G carrier on 850MHz, upgrading its backbone with new Juniper routers, and updating its baseband to support 7.2Mbps (theoretical), and expanding its 3G (and 2-2.5G) footprint. These activities will take some time to complete.

AT&T will then TRIAL HSPA+ (theoretical 21 Mbps) sometime in the future, likely early to mid 2010. The deployment will likely take place sometime afterwards, likely late 2010 to early 2011. HSPA+ is a more intensive upgrade than HSDPA-only to HSPA. AT&T may not even implement all aspects of HSPA+.

HSPA+ will attempt to serve as a bridge to LTE. LTE is a MASSIVE upgrade and will easily take several years to complete. LTE (4G) deployment will require an incredible amount of work, far more than the transition to 3G. Furthermore, LTE chipsets do not yet exist and will take some time to mature and find their way into mobile devices such as the iPhone. It's not a damn "software upgrade".

An "iPhone 4G" will likely appear on Verizon before AT&T. Verizon's deployment of LTE has been vastly accelerated. Verizon's EVDO is already at Rev. A and rather than end at Rev. B, Verizon has wisely chosen to implement LTE. Even Verizon will take a while to roll-out LTE, but because it will use its current 1xRTT infrastructure for voice Verizon's LTE deployment will take less time than AT&Ts. Also, LTE will require a solid backbone, and Verizon is far ahead of AT&T because of its last-mile fiber optic (FIOS).

The iPhone 2009 will likely support HSPA (7.2 Mbps). iPhone 2010 will likely support HSPA+ (21 Mbps). At some point, an EVDO Rev A iPhone may possibly appear, though unlikely.

Bottom line, iPhone LTE is off the table for 2009 and 2010, even for Verizon. Liberal estimates would place 2011 as iPhone LTE year, while conservative estimates would push iPhone LTE to 2012, though the explosion of data services will demand 2011.

Speaking of 4G, WiMax already is being deployed and chipsets exist, are being iterated upon, and are already in phones (HTC MAX 4G WiMax/GSM). If Clear/Sprint were healthy, Apple would probably consider a WiMax iPhone for 2010. Alas, that is not the case and Apple would probably not choose to create a phone for a single network (Yes, I know WiMax exists outside the US.).

Thanks for all the info. I pretty much had it in my head but I was a bit confused yes.

When I refer to software upgrade though I was referring to the speed bumps of AT&Ts 3G network up to 7.2Mbps and 21Mbps that you stated. I am aware that 4G hardware is not out yet.

Having said that, once AT&T gets up to 21Mbps that would be way more than sufficient for good quality iChat Video would it not?

Also, once we are talking real 4G LTE what Mbps speeds are we looking at?

 

[skythefly13]

Like this...

 

[redman042]

I think the recent Chinese rumor is right on. Same form factor and shape as existing, bump in processor speed, application RAM, storage flash memory, better camera, video recording, and compass. Features not rumored but possible: OLED screen of the same rez as existing (I doubt it but maybe), better battery life mostly through circuitry optimizations, improved bluetooth and wifi chips.

Don't forget it will also have OS 3.0 which is a nice improvement over existing, and pretty much takes care of every disadvantage the iPhone currently has compared to other smartphones (cut and paste and video, primarily). I think OS 3 will run extra-smooth on the new hardware vs. existing, given the processor and memory bumps. Maybe Apple will even see it in their hearts to enable some features in the OS like multitasking for the new hardware only, since that hardware will have more oomph to handle it.

I DO NOT expect an HD display, larger screen size, thinner profile, keyboard, unibody, or anything dramatic like that. People may say Apple needs these things now to compete, but I say that's crazy. The iPhone is doing incredibly well right now. They just need to keep upping the ante on a measured pace each year to stay competitive. Sure we want the ultimate now, but Apple knows how to manage expectations and pace their success in an intelligent way.

 

[LukeW16]

I really hope apple apply a matte finish on the back and have many more colours to choose from, like the nanos. Id definitely buy blue or green one if they sold them!

 

[instaxgirl]

Ooo I like those coloured mock ups. Don't think we'll see colours, but they are pretty. Not quite sure about the white bits though.

 

[drpellypo]

If we look at Apple's yearly updates, we can see a trend that, visually, nothing much changes. It only seems that the big upgrades warrent visual changes (such as the latest macbook pro.) Even the macbook hasn't changed in a long time (relatively!)

However, iphone's are as much a visual thing as anything else. It's a fashion accessory, and my guess is that it was for this reason there was a visual difference between the first gen and second gen iPhone. Although, perhaps this was a cost cutting move by Apple also. With this in mind, I think we're likely to see at least a slight change cosmetically so it's evident you have the newest model.

 

[bigchief]

Double the battery capacity even if they have to make it a little thicker.

 

[iansilv]

Double the battery capacity even if they have to make it a little thicker.

I gotta agree with that. I have a plastic case on mine as it is my first iphone, but I wont have a case on the new one going forward- maybe some invisashield, that's it.

Battery capacity is a huge deal for me. I could deal with a little thicker- by a few mm- iPhone for better battery. Or make the damn battery removable so that I can just leave it docked all day, and when the battery goes bad just get a new one.

 

[Revelation78]

Thanks for all the info. I pretty much had it in my head but I was a bit confused yes.

When I refer to software upgrade though I was referring to the speed bumps of AT&Ts 3G network up to 7.2Mbps and 21Mbps that you stated. I am aware that 4G hardware is not out yet.

Having said that, once AT&T gets up to 21Mbps that would be way more than sufficient for good quality iChat Video would it not?

Also, once we are talking real 4G LTE what Mbps speeds are we looking at?

Actually the current 3G network is fast enough to handle iChat, AT&T simply doesn't feel confident their network could handle all of the simultaneous connections from iPhone users. Video chat was available back in the days of the 56k baud modem, really poor, none the less it was do-able.

I would really like to see video iChat become available on this model, though I doubt it will.

If I remember correctly 4G is capable of 150 MBs. I could be wrong as it's been ages since I last read a brief on 4G tech. Initially we should see 4G launching at 50 MBs and increasing at AT&T's pleasure.

 

[MadMacxxx]

Like this:

yea that seems like the most realistic rendering......maybe it might even have a black or color matched bezel?

 

[MadMacxxx]

I think.....

People may say Apple needs these things now to compete, but I say that's crazy. The iPhone is doing incredibly well right now. They just need to keep upping the ante on a measured pace each year to stay competitive. Sure we want the ultimate now, but Apple knows how to manage expectations and pace their success in an intelligent way.

I agree, though it'd be nice if they set their bar that high. Ever wonder if Intel actually had the means to release a Pentium "4" processor when they were still marketing their 2's and 3's back in the day? Like upping the ante just enough to stay competitive but not out do themselves and become rapidly spent for new ideas and upgrades, not to mention the profit they could make for each slight upgrade versus massive upgrades each time.

 

[t0mat0]

Batteries

If Apple's ploughed money into their batter manufacturing - who provides the meat for their battery sandwich so to speak? Could Apple change and improve the Lithium innards? - The "active chemistry"?

With the new 17-inch MacBook Pro, Apple engineers have taken the radical step of eliminating the removable battery, and have embedded a battery with a capacity great enough to run for up to 8 hours. They’ve developed advanced chemistry and a charging method that extend the battery’s lifespan up to 1000 recharges.

Marketing speak yes, but they're pinning their flag to in-house manufacturing, so you'd imagine they're going to want to be competitive about this (and the buck stops at them if they're making their own batteries). They mention Apple chemists involved - was there any word as to whether this work is a collaboration?

Not like there isn't a rumor about it - http://www.edibleapple.com/rumor-next-gen-iphone-to-have-innovative-battery-technology/

From what I can see, this article is about the Cork plant? Could have got the gig to make the unibody and batteries or is it in California?

 

[eye.surgeon]

I very much agree with you, one of my buddies that met with someone at apple that is pretty high up with them showed him the next one and he said it will be pretty much the same phone but with just small modifications.

The details of the next iphone are under strict embargo and it is so very unlikely that your friend was given a tour of it by someone that works for apple unless they are trying to be immediately fired.

 

[t0mat0]

I very much agree with you, one of my buddies that met with someone at apple that is pretty high up with them showed him the next one and he said it will be pretty much the same phone but with just small modifications.

By that, do you mean small mods to the actual shape and design, or the internal hardware is only going to see small modifications?

 

[rarity]

Like this...

So fug!

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

So fug!

Disagree.

I think the black one is dead sexy.

 

[ThE.MeSsEnGeR]

I think the black one is dead sexy.

+1

I'm sooooo gonna buy it anyhow, but the unibody concept is wayy tooo cool / classy / sexy / attractive / addictive / etc...
I really hope Apple does something similar or even sexier, if they do find a way to make it sexier, i might be drooling on my way to the Apple Store on "launch Day"!!! hehehehheh

 

[lakaiordie]

The back casing with be a light silver.

that'll show scratches even more.

yay!

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

that'll show scratches even more.

yay!

That's why you order a couple sets of BSE. Then you'll never have to worry about it.

 

[TSX]

Hopefully they fix the cracking problem on the iPhone.

 

[lakaiordie]

That's why you order a couple sets of BSE. Then you'll never have to worry about it.

the back protector doesn't work with a lot of cases thats why i haven't gotten it. that and i heard not many are good (orange peel etc.) . i just keep a front one and switch between my sena elega, incase slider and incase protective cover

 

[cubbie5150]

Hopefully they fix the cracking problem on the iPhone.

I can't believe that Apple (it seems) has done nothing to remedy the issues with the plastic casing cracks... I'm holding onto my Edge iPhone until I read more about the build quality of the newest iPhone (I live 2 1/2 hours away from the nearest Apple Store, so returns would be a major PITA....