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iPhone 5 Release Date, Feature, Design and Spec Rumor Roundup

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Based on the high amount of leaks and iPhone 5 engineering sample photos, we are approaching the iPhone 5 release date, but the latest news doesn’t support an August iPhone 5 release date.

It does point to a new iPhone 5 design complete with 4G LTE connectivity and a launch across several carriers this fall.

Over the past week photos of an iPhone 5 engineering sample leaked delivering a closer look at the iPhone 5 size and design, new sources stepped forward to share potential features and iPhone 5 cases go on sale in China.

These leaks give us a better idea about the iPhone 5 release date, potential iPhone 5 features and a slight glimpse into what Apple might be planning for the fall.

iPhone 5 Release Date

The iPhone 5 release date has always been pegged for the fall, but analysts and rumors continue to claim Apple is working to launch the iPhone 5 in August — something that doesn’t look like a possibility based on the current information.

Several sources, including The Wall Street Journal, state that iPhone 5 component production and manufacturing  is underway, but according to a source speaking to BGR, the iPhone 5 isn’t out of engineering tests yet.

Read: iPhone 5 Release Date – What to Expect This Fall

iPhone 5 release date rumors

Look for an iPhone 5 release date in October.

Apple could continue to test the iPhone 5 while simultaneously ramping up production of components and  the new rumored metal case, but even with CEO Tim Cook’s mastery of supply chain management the lack of full scale production rumors all but rule out an August iPhone 5 release date.

Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo, lets slip that the carrier doesn’t expect the iPhone 5 release date to arrive until the fourth quarter, which starts on October 1st. This is a reliable leak, but Apple has been known to keep launch partners in the dark as long as possible and to demand secrecy, so all we get is a hint at a possible iPhone 5 release date.

We’ll know more about the iOS 6 release date when Apple announces the iPhone 5. It will most likely arrive a few days ahead of the iPhone 5 release date.

iPhone 5 Features

The iPhone 5 leaks point to a number of new features, which, when mixed with analyst reports and corporate statements and plans. All of this information comes together to help us understand what the iPhone 5 might look like and what it might be capable of.

What Will the iPhone 5 Look Like?

There are no shortage of iPhone 5 leaks, but last week we delivered one of the hottest leaks yet with our photos of an iPhone 5 sample straight from China.

The photos of an iPhone 5 engineering sample comes from a reliable source who believes that this represents the size and look of the new iPhone 5. The milled metal sample below is not a real iPhone, but it may be used to fine tune production or test the fit of third-party accessories.

Photo iPhone 5 engineering sample front

This photo shows an iPhone 5 engineering sample.

The exclusive photos show the general look of leaked iPhone 5 parts including the taller shape and smaller bezel. A second leak places the front facing camera centered above the speaker and preparation for a white iPhone 5 at launch.

iPhone 5 engineering sample

The iPhone 5 looks to be taller and slightly thinner, but not wider.

The rear of our iPhone 5 sample photos show markers for the rumored two-tone style design with a metal center back. These photos show a larger camera area with a marker that may indicate a rear facing microphone. This microphone has disappeared from later leaks, but may just be hidden.

By combining all of these leaks, Hesadanza has created a video showing off what the finished iPhone 5 might look like including the metal back, thinner design and larger display.

iPhone 5 cases appeared online at a Chinese reseller, which also show the same taller iPhone 5 design.

iPhone 5 Display: Bigger, Thinner, Lighter

iPhone 5 leaks still point to a new display for the iPhone 5, complete with new screen technology that packs in several features users will find useful.

The new iPhone will most likely sport a 4-inch display with an aspect ratio more like that of a HDTV, following the trend toward larger screens on phones.

Sources claim this leaked panel is the 4-inch iPhone 5 display.

Sources claim this leaked panel is the 4-inch iPhone 5 display.

Apple is said to be planning an in-cell touch display on the iPhone 5, which delivers a number of additional benefits. The new technology puts the touch sensors right into the LCD, which allows the display to be about half a millimeter thinner. These new displays are also lighter. Apple could use this space to make the iPhone 5 thinner, and the weight reduction may be made up for with a larger battery.

These displays are also easier to read outdoors. In the video below, we see a early in-cell touchscreen prototype form Toshiba, one of the companies rumored to be working on the iPhone 5 in-cell touch display. Note the demo is designed for use in a car, where visibility in the sun is an important feature.

How Big is the iPhone 5?

The leaked iPhone 5 engineering sample photos show a slightly taller phone, which we measure ar roughly 120mm, or 5mm taller than the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 5 looks to be about the same width as the iPhone 4S.

Based on another set of iPhone 5 leaks, which matched up with our sample photo and were pulled from the web shortly after they were posted, we can see a thinner iPhone 5. Though it is tough to accurately measure the pixels to determine how thick the iPhone 5 will be, the 3.5mm headphone jack indicator allows us to determine that this sample is thinner than the iPhone 4S, possibly hitting the oft rumored 7.99mm goal.

iPhone 5 vs iPhone 4S size Updated

Rumored iPhone 5 size vs, iPhone 4S size.

Above is a comparison of the rumored iPhone 5 size and the iPhone 4S size. The thickness is incomplete, but it would be tough to imagine a thinner iPhone 5 if Apple plans to deliver good battery life and 4G LTE connectivity.

By reducing the size of the bezels, the small plastic around the display, Apple can keep the iPhone small while increasing the screen size, much like we saw on the Galaxy S III which boasts a 4.8-inch display but is not significantly larger than phones with smaller displays.

4G LTE iPhone 5

Carriers are reportedly stockpiling and b which the iPhone 5 is rumored to use. These new nano-SIM cards will likely be of the 4G LTE variety, which syncs up with other iPhone 5 rumors. Many sources have pointed to a 4G LTE iPhone 5 this fall, and it makes sense that Apple will choose now to release an iPhone with faster connectivity.

A 4G LTE iPhone would deliver upload and download speeds up to 10 times faster than 4G LTE, paving the way for easier downloading of large apps, streaming movies and live sports as well as smoother FaceTime over cellular.

Read: iPhone 5 Killer Feature May be MIA for Many Users at Launch

The iPhone 5 is rumored to use a Qualcomm 4G LTE chip, many of which are capable of delivering talking and browsing at the same time even on 3G. This ‘secret’ 3G feature could be what Sprint needs to attract iPhone 5 shoppers while it builds up the Sprint 4G LTE network.

iPhone 5 Specs

There are no photos to back up most of the iPhone 5 spec rumors, but sources at several publications point to a signifcant upgrade inside the iPhone 5.

We are hearing rumors of a quad-core iPhone 5 processor, possibly similar to the Samsung Exynos 4. Even if the iPhone 5 passes on a quad-core processor, it would likely arrive with the same A5X processor as the iPad 3rd gen. This A5X processor sports a quad-core graphics processor for better visuals.

NFC could turn the PassBook app into a digital wallet.

NFC could turn the PassBook app into a digital wallet.

Additional rumors resurfaced that Apple will include NFC connectivity in the iPhone 5. This can be used to allow phones to communicate with eachother for sharing photos, but the more exciting use would be as a digital wallet with Integration to the iOS 6 Passbook app.

iPhone 5 smaller dock connector closeup

Mockup of the possible iPhone 5 smaller dock connector.

We also believe that Apple will use the iPhone 5 to introduce a new smaller dock connector. In addition to announcing the iPhone 5 in October, the company is rumored to refresh almost every mobile product, which would bring all Apple products onto the new dock connector at the same time.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. ligbog

    07/22/2012 at 9:49 am

    iCrap 5 is coming apple bleeding rumors like crease this time just to stay in the game they don’t have any ruls they do anything for money. The next big thing will be pretending homeless on the street just to get one more cent from people
    who will buy anything they drain from they sewer pipe.

    • CalmDown

      07/23/2012 at 10:30 pm

      Dude, you need to come down, take a deep breathe, and go take your pills like a good boy. No need for such hate!
      By the way, people might take you more seriously if you work on your spelling and grammar.

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