iPhone 6: 6 Things You Should Know Right Now

As we deeper into the year, we’re starting to hear a lot about Apple’s next iPhone and the software that may accompany it to shelves. The iPhone 6 and iOS 8 have seen a great number of details emerge recently, teasing those who going to be in the market for a brand new smartphone sometime this year.

For several months, the smartphone rumor mill has been dominated by three phones. The first, the Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung’s brand new flagship that replaces the Galaxy S4 and will be heading to shelves on April 11th in 150 countries around the world. The Galaxy S5 looks like it has the potential to be another winner for Samsung and it will certainly give devices like the iPhone 5s and LG G2 a run for their money.

The second, the all new HTC One that is currently the massive elephant in the room. HTC hasn’t confirmed the device outright but it’s not trying to keep it a secret any longer. The device will be launched later on this month and should hit shelves soon after to compete against the Samsung Galaxy S5 and others.

The third device is arguably the most exciting. Rumors suggest that Apple, per usual, will release a brand new iPhone later on this year. The device, or perhaps devices, are currently being called iPhone 6, a name that falls in line with Apple’s naming scheme.

iPhone 6 rumors have been flying around as of late and we know that there are plenty of people who are probably having a hard time grasping onto the most important information. There are others that simply might want an update on what to expect from Apple’s next iPhone model.

Here, we offer both of those. Here, we take a look at the most important things that consumers should know about the rumored iPhone 6, right now.

iPhone 6 Release Date Rumors Haven’t Budged

Maybe the most important thing to know about the iPhone 6, at this point, is that its rumored release date hasn’t budged, at all, in 2014. While many consumers might be hoping for an early iPhone 6 release between now and WWDC, that appears unlikely as reports continue to put the iPhone 6 launch and release in two very specific windows.

iPhone 6 release date rumors haven’t agreed on a specific date but they do point to two very familiar release windows. Apple is known for releasing its iPhone in the summer or the fall with the previous iPhone releases coming in the fall.

Recently, ZDNet Korea claimed that Apple’s new iPhone would land in the third quarter. The third quarter discussed was not Apple’s third quarter but the calendar quarter that runs July through September.

A previous report from an Apple partner in charge of Sapphire production indicates that the company will experience profitability in the third quarter, which seems to hint at a fall iPhone 6 release. These reports don’t stand alone though.

iPhone 6 release information will continue to firm up as we inch closer to WWDC but at this point, the important thing to know is that the iPhone 6 probably won’t be coming early and will probably follow Apple’s familiar release pattern.

Two iPhone 6 Models

Last year, Apple did something different. It released not one, but two new iPhone models. The iPhone 5s serves as the company’s flagship while the iPhone 5c, the colorful plastic model, is the company’s budget option aimed at cheaper Android smartphones. iPhone 6 rumors continue to point to two different models but consumers should not be expecting an iPhone 5c follow up.

Instead, rumors point to two large versions of the iPhone 6. One of the new models may feature a 4.7-inch display and the other a 5 to 5.5-inch display, rumors haven’t agreed with one another thus far.

Most recently, a report from Japanese blog Macotakara claimed that consumers should expect an iPhone 6 with a 4.7-inch display and a larger 5.7-inch display. The report echos what several other outlets have said about the iPhone 6. Rumors and reports do not agree on two iPhone 6 releases in 2014 but given the sources of some of the information, it’s a possibility that is extremely hard to dismiss at this point.

Large Screen Rumors Flow

So it’s important to know that there is a distinct possibility that Apple could continue its ways and release not one, but two new iPhone models in 2014. It’s also important to know that rumors continue to point to larger screens on both of those iPhone 6 variants.

Across the board, sources are saying that the iPhone 6′s display will be larger than the iPhone 5s’. The Wall Street Journal believes the company will deliver two iPhones, one 4.5-inch model in addition to a 5+-inch model. Respected firm NPD DisplaySearch believes that two iPhone 6 models with higher resolution displays will be coming in 2014.

Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, the man who accurately predicted many of the iPhone 5s features ahead of time, thinks Apple is planning an iPhone 6 with a screen between 4.5-inches and 5-inches.

• 4.5-inch display – WSJ
• 4.7-inch display – 1600 x 900 resolution – NPD
• 4.7-inch to 4.8-inch display – 1920 x 1080 resolution – KDB
• 4.7-inch display – Macotakara
• 4.5-inch to 5-inch display – Kuo
• 5+ inch display – WSJ
• 5.5-inch display – 1920 x 1080 resolution – NPD
• 5.5-inch display – 2272 x 1280 resolution – KDB
• 5.7-inch display – Macotakara

Apple is likely testing different iPhone 6 prototypes and that could explain why there is this type of discrepancy.

In addition to these reports, a possible iPhone 6 component shows off a large edge-to-edge display that measures close to 4.5-inches in size. The component hasn’t been confirmed to be from the real iPhone 6 though the source has been reliable in the past. We’ve also heard that the focus may not just be on the screen increase but on the quality.

According to rumors, the iPhone 6 display may use a newer screen technology, similar to the technology found on the Kindle Fire HDX 7, to deliver a even better looking display.

So here’s what to take out of this. While it’s still early to confirm a large iPhone 6 display, we are starting to see reports rally around a 4.7-inch iPhone 6. We’re also seeing credible sources point to a larger model that would be around the same size as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, a dangerous competitor to the iPhone.

In other words, it’s hard to imagine a 4-inch iPhone 6 with a standard Retina Display showing up later this year. Where there is smoke, there is typically fire. Those curious about how that might look will want to take a look at the video below which shows how iOS might look on a larger iPhone.

iPhone 6 Design

We still don’t know what the iPhone 6 will look like but we are starting to see design rumors start to firm up.

A recent report from LEDInside of TrendForce claims that the iPhone 6 will be thinner than the iPhone 5s (7.6mm). The report cites a possible shift from 0.6 mm thick LED backlights to backlights that are just 0.4 mm thick which could make for an extremely thin frame. This aligns with Macotakara’s report which claims that the iPhone 6 will come with a larger body but a thinner frame.

The image below shows what a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 could look like compared to the current iPhone 5s. The larger screen adds to the overall size of the device.

Here is how those dimensions would stack up, if true:

• iPhone 4s – 115.5 × 62.1 × 9.3mm
• iPhone 5s – 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm
• iPhone 6 (4.7) -140 x 70 x 7mm
• iPhone 6 (5.7) – 160 x 80 x 7mm

The report also claims that the larger iPhone 6, the 5.7-inch model, will borrow colors from the iPhone 5c. It does not say that the larger iPhone will be plastic, only that it will share colors.

Apple historically has changed its iPhone design every two years so it makes sense that we’re starting to hear about some possible changes it will be making with the upcoming 2014 iPhone.

iPhone 6 Price Hike

Consumers might want to start saving for the iPhone 6 right now. According to Andy Hargreaves, an analyst at Pacific Crest, the iPhone price could jump $100. In a note shared on Business Insider Hargreaves outlined his thoughts on the iPhone 6. He claims that Apple can charge a premium for the iPhone 6 based on the larger display.

This echoes comments made by Chris Caso of Susquehanna Financial Group who also thinks the price of the iPhone 6 could jump up as much as $100 from the price of the iPhone 5s.

Keep in mind, Apple has kept the iPhone price the same for years and if it does change the starting price of the iPhone, it risks angering its customer base. We did see it increase the price of the iPad mini with the arrival of the Retina Display though it was by $70, not $100.

So, for now, know that there is a chance that the iPhone 6 could be more expensive.

iOS 8

Apple almost always introduces new hardware with new software so it should come as no surprise that we’re starting to learn about what should be Apple’s next iOS update.

iOS 8 rumors have been flying around recently and here are the five most important things that we’ve learned about the update that could replace iOS 7.1.

• It looks like iOS 8 will focus on health.
• iOS 8 photos claim to show off new apps and icons.
• Apple’s next iOS update will apparently focus on performance upgrades.
• The update might put iTunes Radio in the spotlight.
• It could also fix one of Apple’s biggest iOS missteps.

Apple typically shows off its new iOS and OS X updates at its annual WWDC conference. Apple historically has announced WWDC dates in late April so we should see dates emerge next month.