iPhone 5 Rumor Roundup: Release Date, Design, Display & iOS 6

As we crawl towards the iPhone 5 release date this fall we are learning more about what to expect from the iPhone 5.

We don’t expect an iPhone 5 announcement at WWDC 2012 on June 11th, but we should learn something about the new iPhone and a lot about iOS 6 at the WWDC 2012 keynote.

Read: What to Expect at WWDC 2012

Keep reading to find out out what we know, or think we know, about the iPhone 5 design, display, specs and iOS 6 software — complete with iPhone 5 videos and mock ups.

iPhone 5 Release Date

There have been very few iPhone 5 release date rumors over the last week, but at least one analyst claims that the iPhone 5 could come in September.

While I wouldn’t be surprised to see an iPhone 5 announcement in late September, I believe we’ll see an iPhone 5 release date in October.

Chalk part of this up to the lack of any iOS 6 beta information leaking out before WWDC. With no new software out for developers to test their apps on yet, I don’t expect a release this summer.

Couple the software rumors with the lack of a final iPhone 5 design and a likely shortage of 4G LTE chips for the new iPhone and a fall launch becomes an even better bet.

The fall launch also helps Apple capitalize on holiday sales, which could help the company sell an estimated 65-70 million iPhone 5 devices in 2012.

Taller Thinner iPhone 5

The iPhone 5 design remains up in the air as Apple prides itself on secrecy and security, but numerous leaks and sources deep within the Apple supply chain point to a 4-inch iPhone 5 with a taller display and a 1136 x 960 display ratio.

These new rumors follow reports from the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Reuters that Apple will deliver an iPhone with a larger display.

KGI Research, known for deep ties to Apple supply partners, predicts that the new iPhone will have a 4.08-inch taller display with a near 16 x 9 aspect ratio. The iPhone 5 display would still be considered a Retina Display thanks to the inclusion of 176 pixels at the top of the display.

The video below shows what might be the glass panel covering the iPhone 5, which is larger than the iPhone 4S.

iPhone 5 Display Technology

Mingchi Kuo reiterates the rumor of a new in-cell touch display showing up in the iPhone 5. This new in-cell touch display is thinner than the touch screen on the iPhone 4S, which could help Apple achieve a 7.9mm thick iPhone 5, a 1.3mm reduction in thickness.

Sadly, this amazing touch screen technology that turns a flat display into one with physical buttons won’t be ready until mid-2013, too late for the iPhone 5.

iPhone 5 Back

This information matches up with the iPhone 5 leaks that claim to show the back of the new iPhone. The latest leak shows what may be the back of the iPhone 5 in the video below. This is the best looking footage of the leaked iPhone 5 cases we’ve seen, and it shows the purported iPhone 5

Apps on Larger iPhone 5 Display

While consumers clamor for larger displays on smartphones, a taller iPhone with an HDTV friendly widescreen layout is problematic for Apple and app developers. KGI Analyst Mingchi Kuo, believes that Apple will alleviate this problem by letterboxing apps on the iPhone as shown below.

Many apps will likely update to support the new resolution, making use of the extra space to show more information on the screen, add more controls or just to provide more space for flinging Angry Birds.  The images below show what apps might look like on a taller iPhone 5 with a 4-inch display.

Taller and Wider iPhone 5 Debate

Not everyone is hoping that Apple will increase the size of the iPhone 5 display, or that the display might be taller.

Sumocat is lobbying for a bigger, slower iPhone. He wants Apple to continue making a cutting edge 3.5-inch iPhone, while also proceeding a larger iPhone for the two handed typing crowd that doesn’t care about speed and specs. As more users pick up their first smartphone this move makes sense, and it would allow Apple to offer variety as well as keep the price down despite a larger display.

Kevin Purcell is on the track for an Android phone if Apple doesn’t deliver a taller and wider iPhone 5 for a number of reasons.

iPhone 5 Design

Every day we see a new iPhone 5 design, but some stand out as better than others. Analyst Mingchi Kuo believes the current leaks don’t match up with what the iPhone 5 will look like, and that Apple can easily track down the source of the leak.

Still, it’s nice to see hypothetical iPhone 5 models like the one shown in the video below. This iPhone 5 mock up varies in specs and specifics from what we’ve heard, but represents what the iPhone 5 could look like.

Better Cameras

The iPhone 4S already has one of the best cameras you’ll find on a smartphone, but Apple has room for improvement if it wants to obliterate the need for a point and shoot.

The latest rumor is that Apple will stick with the same 8MP camera, but will improve the aperture from f/2.4 to f/2.2.

What’s even more exciting is that Apple might finally upgrade the front facing camera on the iPhone 5 so you can use it for video chats and self portraits without sacrificing on quality.

Currently the front facing iPhone 4S camera is VGA resolution, which is to say not pretty to look at. Apple is rumored to increase that to an HD resolution. This would benefit video chat on FaceTime as well as through Skype and Google Hangouts on the iPhone.

If Apple includes a better front facing camera on the iPhone 5 we also hope they will allow FaceTime calls over 4G LTE, since we’ll be more likely to use FaceTime.

Read: 5 iPhone Camera Features I want in iOS 6

We’ve already seen a new camera module, which sources say is destined for the iPhone. If it is indeed the iPhone 5 camera it line sup with the Kuo’s observation that Apple will use a slimmer sensor for a thinner iPhone 5.

4G LTE and Battery Life

The iPhone 5 will almost certainly have 4G LTE connectivity for faster downloads and uploads. Not only will 4G LTE deliver the speed needed for better looking video chat on the go, it will make downloading apps and streaming video more enjoyable.

4G LTE connections use battery life obscenely fast on most phones, so we will likely see Apple working on multiple fronts to avoid battery drain.

The newer 4G LTE chips are supposed to be better on battery life, but we may also see software enhancements in iOS 6 to improve battery life.

Reports suggest that the new iPhone will have be of similar capacity to the iPhone 4S. If Apple wants to make a thinner iPhone 5, the battery will likely be taller, using space created by the taller display.

iOS 6

The iPhone 5 will launch with a new version of iOS, the software that runs the iPhone. This will most likely be iOS 6. Unlike the iPhone, we expect to get a closer look at iOS 6 this month.

We expect a lot of new features in iOS 6, and while the public release won’t come for a few months, we will get a preview at WWDC on June 11th when Apple provides details on iOS 6 to developers.

Here are some of the new iOS 6 features that may arrive with the iPhone 5.

Facebook Integration – Simple sharing of photos from the Photos app and use of Facebook to sign into apps without launching the Facebook app.

Maps – Apple is very likely to launch a new and improved Maps app for the iPhone and iPad, possibly with 3D maps like the one shown below.

Voice Guided Turn-by-Turn Directions – Third-party apps deliver GPS navigation, but Apple may finally include turn-by-turn directions and navigation in iOS 6, allowing users to have Siri start navigation for them.

These features are very likely, but sources predict that we will also see other features come to iOS 6 during WWDC, or as it inches closer to a public release this fall. These possible iOS 6 features include,

• 

  What iOS 6 might look like on the iPhone 5.

  Do Not Disturb Mode – Turn off all notifications.

• VIP Mail – Mark important email senders so you never miss a message.
• iCloud Safari Syncing – Open tabs form Safari on your Mac into Safari on the iPhone.
• Streamlined User Interface – Goodbye blue, hello silver color scheme, and other enhancements.
• Automatic App Updates – Green-light select apps to automatically update when a new version is released.
• Widgets in the Notification Center – Widgets in the Notification Center for more than just weather and stocks.
• And more – new multitasking, multi-touch gestures, and new Siri features.

If we get our wish, Apple will also announce new camera features for iOS 6. We’re hoping for the ability to use a second iPhone as a remote viewfinder and shutter, the ability to take photos while recording video and more.

Stay tuned for more iPhone 5 news and rumors. We expect to know more after WWDC 2012.