iPhone 6: 7 Things Buyers Can Expect

As we move deeper into the year, iPhone 6 rumors have begun to pick up the pace, teasing consumers with rumors regarding the iPhone 6 release date, screen size, software, and more.

In September, Apple announced the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c. Both devices have been heavily rumored throughout the year and thanks to those rumors, and Apple’s predictable patterns, there were very few surprises in store for those planning to buy one of Apple’s brand new iPhones.

It looks like 2014 will follow a similar path. As we move further and further away from the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, we’re starting to hear a lot about Apple’s plans for the next iPhone, a device that has been dubbed iPhone 6. And while much of the iPhone 6 is still a complete and utter mystery, some iPhone 6 details have already begun to firm up thanks to non-stop leaks.

As iPhone 6 details continue to flow, we’re starting to hear a ton of questions about the iPhone 6. Readers, friends and family are all curious about the next iPhone, its features and its release date. In an effort to answer some of the more pertinent questions, here, we take a look at seven things that we think all prospective iPhone 6 should expect.

iPhone 6 Release Date

We can’t profess to know the exact iPhone 6 release date. Apple keeps its release plans close to its chest and we typically don’t see specific launch dates or release dates emerge until we’re extremely close to the actual dates themselves. Instead, we’re forced to rely on leaks and rumors that offer a much broader window. Fortunately, that window has narrowed over several months.

iPhone 6 rumors almost exclusively point to an arrival sometime this fall. One of the more credible iPhone 6 release date rumors comes from the CEO of a company that partnered with Apple to sell the iPhone in Russia. Earlier this year, he claimed that the iPhone 6 release date would land in September though he declined to offer a release date, probably because he doesn’t have one.

His claim is worth pointing out because this is the second Apple partner to point to a fall iPhone 6 release date. It represents the most direct iPhone 6 release date claim because it comes from a company that has an instrumental role in helping Apple sell the iPhone.

He’s not alone. Several publications point to an iPhone 6 release in the fall as opposed to the summer:

• iPhone 6 release date as early as September – Nikkei
• iPhone 6 release date in August or September – Steve Milunovich UBS via Barrons
• iPhone 6 release in the fall – Andy Hargreaves at Pacific Crest via Business Insider
• iPhone 6 scheduled for third quarter 2014 – ZDNet Korea

These do not confirm the iPhone 6 release but the fact that these sources agree with one another means that there is a very good chance that we will see the iPhone 6 arrive in the fall.

In other words, those who are holding out hope for an early iPhone 6 release should start tempering expectations because there is a very good chance that it won’t arrive until later on this year.

iPhone 6 Screen

As we move deeper into the year, rumors about the iPhone 6 display remain consistent. Reports and leaks suggest that the device will come with a larger display than the 4-inch display found on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5. iPhone 6 leaks are hovering in and around 4.7-inches and due to the volume of leaks, it’s safe to assume that rumors have indeed pinpointed the size that Apple is going with for its next iPhone.

There are, of course, a number of other leaks that suggest that the company will be coming out with a larger iPhone, a 5.5-inch model that would be on par with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note in terms of screen size. It’s just not clear if this larger model will arrive with the 4.7-inch version that is expected to debut this year.

A report from Reuters claims that while Apple is planning a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 release for this fall, the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 may be delayed. In fact, reports are starting to point to two possible release dates.

EMSOne, Reuters, Ming-Chi Kuo, Steve Milunovich from UBS, and a new report from The Commercial Times all point to a delayed release for the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6, perhaps in October The Commercial Times suggests that the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 may have been pushed into 2015 though it does not offer a specific release window. These sources are confident that the 4.7-inch model will arrive in 2014.

In short, consumers who are thinking about buying this year’s iPhone should prepare as if the device will come with a larger display. Apple will likely thin out the bezels and do its best to keep the overall size change to a minimum but there is a very good chance that the iPhone 6 will be larger than any previous iPhone.

We recommend mentally preparing for this now and there are several ways buyers can do that.

First, take a look at the video below. This video takes an alleged iPhone 6 case into account and shows us how the iPhone 6 might compare to some of the bigger names on the market including the Nexus 5 and Galaxy Note 3.

Next, examine these photos. While they don’t come straight from Google, they do offer a glimpse at what a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 could look next to Apple’s current iPhone models.

And here is how it might compare to some of the top, current Android smartphones.

Keep in mind, these are estimations based on rumors but this is as good as it gets. For now.

iPhone 6 Design

Those looking for something a little more realistic are in luck. Today, a pair of alleged iPhone 6 mockups leaked out, offering consumers a look at what the real iPhone 6 could look like once it arrives.

First, in a series of three new iPhone 6 photos we get to see what a new thinner iPhone 6 with a bigger screen could look like in hand. The photos appeared on a Chinese forum, where Nowhereelse.fr discovered them. It’s not clear where these mockups come from but they do line up with recent iPhone 6 leaks.

In these iPhone 6 sample photos we see a thinner design with the new pill shaped buttons on the left side of the device and a mute switch. There is not a clear view of the top or the right side, so we cannot see where the power button is located.

Recent reports indicate Apple will move the power button to the right side so that it is easier to reach when holding the phone. This is where the power button is on the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 3, both of which are much larger than the iPhone 5s.

The second possible look at the iPhone 6 comes from Italian site Macitynet. This mockup clearly shows a relocated power button and given how snugly it fits in this person’s hand, it appears to be the 4.7-inch version of the new iPhone 6.

The site claims that these mockups are based on dimensions given to a case manufacturer and that the mockups have been improved over the course of several months.

In practice, this model would be made molds of the latest cases and tested the prototypes of the enclosures to verify their compatibility with the real iPhone 6. It is not uncommon that during the process of engineering accessories manufacturers are forced to progressively refine their plans, as they come, of course, under the table, information on the specifications of the phones. In practical terms, it was explained, in recent months there have been various “versions” experienced by manufacturers of accessories (and these were modeled and rendered drawings of the iPhone 6), but there is now confidence that this one located final.

It’s not clear who the source is but these leaks can’t easily be dismissed. In June 2012 Gotta Be Mobile received photos of an iPhone 5 engineering sample made of metal that was designed for a similar purpose of testing the fit and finish of cases.

It is likely that these molds are for the same purpose, which means it is based off rumors as Apple does not share official case measurements with case makers until after an iPhone announcement. Even so, they represent a possible look at the iPhone 6 in the flesh and prospective iPhone 6 owners will want to commit them to memory.

iPhone 6 Software

The iPhone 6 is rumored to have a new piece of iOS software on board. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. iPhones always come with new iOS software on board and this year’s update is thought to be iOS 8.

iOS 8 rumors have been flying around lately and they have zeroed in on a number of possible improvements over last year’s iOS 7 update. While iOS 8 is rumored to look the same as iOS 7, it should come with the usual improvements.

Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac recently shared many details about the new version of Apple’s iPhone and iPad software. Health and fitness are a major focus and a collection of iOS 8 mock ups show what a Healthbook feature could look like.  Gurman and his sources also hint at plans for a better Apple Maps, a standalone iTunes Radio app and more.

There is also talk of a much improved Siri. Techcrunch recently reported that Apple bought Novauris last year for an undisclosed sum. Apple is also rumored to be including Shazam support inside iOS 8, a feature that would let iPhone and iPad users use Siri to detect the song that is playing. There is also talk of VoLTE support.

Prospective iPhone 6 buyers should take note of those rumors but maybe the most important detail that potential buyers should absorb is this: Apple will likely show off iOS 8 on June 2nd.

Apple’s annual WWDC conference kicks off on June 2nd and the company says that it will be showing off its latest improvements to OS X and iOS. It doesn’t call iOS 8 out by name, but the software will likely make its debut on stage during the company’s opening keynote address. Prospective iPhone 6 buyers will want to circle June 2nd on the calendar and hope that Apple provides a live stream of the event.

iPhone 6 Price

The iPhone price has stayed static for many years now with a starting $199.99 price serving as the sweet spot for Apple and its carrier partners. That could change in 2014 as iPhone 6 rumors suggest that we could see an increase in price, possibly by as much as $100.

Analysts have been throwing around a potential iPhone 6 price increase for months now and it has plenty of people on edge. $300 is a lot of money to a lot of people. At this point, while we don’t have any inside information about the price tag of the iPhone 6, we don’t recommend buying into these rumors. At least not yet.

For one, analysts are often wrong and we haven’t seen any firm evidence emerge to back up their claims. Official pricing won’t emerge until much later on in the year, if it even emerges at all.

Here’s our two cents. We know that Apple likes to space out its pricing between products by $100. With rumors suggesting a possible 5.5-inch iPhone 6, we wouldn’t be surprised if the 4.7-inch model commanded the $199.99 price tag with the larger iPhone coming in at $299.99 like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. That’s just speculation but that makes the most sense to us.

iWatch

Rumors suggest that Apple could finally debut its iWatch later on this year. The China Times reports that the device is now under production ahead of a release this fall. What this means is that those who are looking into buying the iPhone 6 may have a new accessory to look into once the new iPhone arrives.

In a report from early April, Ming Chi Kuo, the analyst who accurately predicted many of the iPhone 5s’ features, told investors that Apple could be ready for an iWatch release date in Q3 2014, which would line up with iPhone 6 release rumors in September and the news regarding its production.

Kuo’s investor note shares several key iWatch details about the device that he expects Apple will announce this fall. Like the iPhone 6, Kuo believes Apple is planning to release two iWatch models with varying screen sizes, one of which will cost several thousand dollars.

• 1.3-inch display
• 1.5-inch display
• Flexible AMOLED displays
• Sapphire covers
• Biometric sensors
• NFC chip

Recently Nike announced the end of the FuelBand, which signals a move that the company could rely on software on the iPhone to perform the tracking needed for fitness. One possibility is that Nike plans to partner with Apple to deliver Nike software on an iWatch. Apple highlighted a Nike app on stage when announcing the iPhone 5s with the M7 motion tracking app.

If Apple does announce an iWatch in 2014, expect to see it arrive near iOS 8 and an iPhone 6. iOS 8 will likely be a key to connectivity and iWatch apps, which could leave iPhone 4 owners in need of a new iPhone to use the iWatch.

Tons of Competition

Finally, prospective iPhone 6 buyers need to be aware of the competition. In the next few weeks, LG will announce a brand new LG G3, a device that will replace the LG G2, one of the best smartphones from last year. Rumors suggest that it will be a high powered, large screen smartphone. It’s a phone that iPhone 6 buyers will want to keep their eye on.

Another device that future iPhone 6 buyers will want to follow to launch is the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. The Galaxy Note 4 is rumored for an arrival this fall, perhaps in close proximity to the iPhone 6. The Galaxy Note 4 is expected to feature a new form factor that could included a bent, three-sided display for better viewing angles. iPhone 6 buyers would be smart to keep tabs on it.

And finally, it looks like Samsung might bring a high-powered Galaxy S5 Prime to the market in the near future to target the high-end market. It’s not confirmed but rumors suggest this could be the explosive iPhone 6 competitor that many consumers have been hoping for since the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S3 back in 2012.

And then of course we have devices like the HTC One M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5 that iPhone 6 owners should take a look at in the months ahead of the iPhone 6’s release.