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No iPhone 5 at WWDC, Release Date Sometime this Fall

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Apple announced MacBook, OS X and iOS updates during its WWDC 2012 keynote, but failed to introduce what many Apple fans really wanted: a new iPhone. Apple spent almost an hour detailing iOS 6, which will be available this fall, but only as it relates to previous iPhone and iPad models. Many iPhone shoppers were hoping the ‘one more thing’ at WWDC 2012 would be the iPhone 5.

Apple’s iOS, complete with 200 new features, is launching this fall. Most likely the iPhone 5 will launch at the same time as iOS 6.  Apple did not provide a specific release date for iOS 6. The most important iOS 6 features include FaceTime over cellular networks, a new Maps app, Facebook integration and a more powerful version of Siri, Apple’s voice assistant.

The company announced three of its previous iPhones during its summer developers conference, setting a pattern that went unbroken until last year, when the company waited until fall 2011 to introduce the iPhone 4S. Though an iPhone 4S followup so soon after its introduction would be uncharacteristic, a new iPhone design is long overdue. The iPhone 4S is nearly identical to the iPhone 4, which is two years old.

The iPhone 4S was released in the United States and six other countries on October 14, 2011. Apple may begin selling the iPhone 5 around mid October this year to line up with the holiday shopping season.

While Apple is still a leader in the smartphone business, the iPhone 4S is falling woefully behind the competition in key specs and features. Most notably, Apple’s yet to introduce an iPhone with 4G LTE iPhone. While Apple and AT&T have deemed the iPhone 4S’ HSPA+ as 4G, its much slower than AT&T and Verizon’s 4G LTE offerings. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S3 pack 4G LTE and the latest version of Android, which already has close substitutes to some of the best iOS 6 features.

The above is a demonstration of how much faster Verizon’s 4G LTE is than what’s available on the iPhone 4S. The next iPhone will almost certainly come with 4G LTE, however not all of its wireless partners are ready. Verizon has the most mature 4G LTE network and AT&T is quickly growing its own. Sprint’s 4G LTE network is in its infancy.

iPhone 5 Rumors

iPhone 5 rumors reached a fever pitch in the days leading up to WWDC, with many speculating Apple would announce the device at the conference. The iPhone 5 (as the next-generation iPhone is widely being called) is expected to be an all-new design

Here is a rendering of what the iPhone 5 may look like. The rendering takes some of the more promising rumors into account.

The iPhone ecosystem is unmatched by any other, but Apple’s taken a ‘one size fits all’ approach since releasing the original iPhone in 2007. Since then, the company’s released just one new iPhone model each year. That strategy’s proved successful in general, but more and more consumers are opting for larger smartphones. Some leaks and rumors point to a larger iPhone, such as the one in this illustration.

While Apple detailed a host of iOS features at WWDC, the company often holds back a handful of iOS features from developers and introduces them alongside new hardware. Last year, for example, Apple introduced iOS 5 at WWDC 2011, but didn’t introduce Siri until the fall when it introduced the iPhone 4S. We will likely see at least one new unique iOS 6 feature roll out alongside the iPhone 5.

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Wymond

    06/11/2012 at 5:54 pm

    Still have a blackberry but I think the apple I phone 5 seekers should have been given an approx. date

  2. Doug Guest

    06/11/2012 at 6:50 pm

    No iPhone 5 yet? Seriously? I’m about to switch to an Android. Samsung Galaxy S3 is looking really good right about now.

  3. mrmookz

    06/11/2012 at 7:09 pm

    I would love to see a 5″ plus screen on the iphone! I will wait to see!

  4. Vitalic

    06/11/2012 at 7:59 pm

    Seriously? 5 inch plus screen? Might as well make that into a mini macbook. I think 4 inches is the limit. I don’t feel like having to buy baggy ass pants just so I can fit my phone into the pocket.

    As for the concept pictures up above? Come on guys? All you did was blow up the image of the iphone 4. I’m confident that apple would have found a way to make a bigger screen without having to make the damn phone so huge. I mean, their is a ton of space that can be removed.

    I will never grab an android. The direction they are heading is completely retarded. I mean, you can only go so big before you lose the capabilities of still being a portable phone. What happened to cellphones getting smaller and more portable?

    I thought I would also mention that the Galaxy S3 looks like cheap crap. If I am spending that kind of money on a phone, I want it too at least look like it was worth the money I spent. The galaxy is a fail imo, a lot of the reviews mention that its size makes it awkward for texting.

    The iphone will dominate the cell industry like it always has.

    • Blackhex

      06/11/2012 at 8:40 pm

      @ Vitalic
      The S3 doesn’t look cheap, I think it looks really nice, imo. And anyway, it’s not all about looks. I mean, have you seen what the S3 is packing under the hood? Quad-core processor, massive battery, super amoled hd screen, microsd card slot, android ICS (freedom compared to prison-like ios5) and the camera is great. As for the screen, yeah it’s big but it’s also really thin and light – I would say the iPhone 4 is far heavier and more bulky. S3 makes the iPhone 4s look a bit like a toy.
      I had the iPhone 4 and have gone for this phone which is far superior. I was going to wait for the iPhone 5 but they’ve dragged it out too long.

      • Cataractes

        06/12/2012 at 6:19 am

        Calling the iPhone 4 a toy versus the S3 is a little over the top but what you forgot to mention is the app store. Anyone who uses apple computers will never switch, app integration is the key.

  5. alex_888

    06/11/2012 at 8:11 pm

    I certainly hope the iPhone 5 does not look anything like the one in that video…just awful looking. My iPhone 4S has had several issues, including battery life, not being able to make outgoing calls, freezing during incoming calls, not being able to text.

    Got a replacement but a hassle. Call quality on my iPhone is so-so at best. Anyways, still like my iPhone 4S but a pretty good chance my next phone is Android and I’d be leaning towards the Samsung..

  6. Sick and tired -.-

    06/11/2012 at 8:37 pm

    I’m so sick of waiting for Apple to make their damn announcement about the next iPhone. I was waiting till today to make my decision, and now I have. I’m just gonna buy an android (: At least they’re not making us wait until God knows when to tell us about their phone. I’m a hardcore iPhone fan, but they just lost a customer; not that it matters. Goodbye Apple!

  7. Xl-"Mr-Speed"-lX

    06/11/2012 at 10:39 pm

    Seriously ?

    Apple is just fooling around with their “iJunk” for over 2 years now, nothing has been changed except the camera and some other stuff that doesn’t mean anything (Don’t include Siri) :P

    But, seriously, we just want something that could beat the samsung Slll and the new HTC
    PLEASE APPLE !!!

  8. Mmm..Bacon

    06/12/2012 at 9:27 am

    not surprised Apple is staying tight-lipped after the fiasco they had on 2010 with the iPhone 4 leak. I have the iPhone 4, and will not be waiting for a release date announcement for the iPhone 5. Nothing against Apple, but I’m a big guy, and I like big phones.
    I’m assuming its challenging making a smart phone thats a power house while keeping the design small. At least with these other phones out there, they may be wider but not necessarily super thick smart phones.

    Android, here I come.

  9. Bryan

    06/12/2012 at 11:51 am

    I was hoping apple would at least announce the iPhone 5 so I could make a comparison, but no news and I’m really sick and tired of all the secretiveness. I just ordered my Samsung galaxy s3 and am saying farewell to apple. Anyone want to buy an iPhone 4???

  10. what a joke

    06/12/2012 at 5:56 pm

    I am so frustrated at this seriously Apple just needs to advise its cuatomers of the release date im trying to hold off from getting the samsung sIII but if i dont hear anything soon i will just get it and stop wasting my time!

  11. David Baxter

    06/16/2012 at 4:31 am

    Right people enough is enough. After looking at the android 4.0 features it would appear that it has taken on board some items the iPhone 4S has had for a while and on the flip side it would appear iOS6 has borrowed some features from Android 4.0 to compete. Either way you can’t buy a smart phone these days based on the software and tech alone as it seems the gap between them has finally closed up.

    So, it all comes down to personal preference. If you like the new Samsung don’t start Apple bashing as if you’re trying to justify buying the thing, just go buy it. As for me i like the iPhone and have a Mac at home. I also use the App store and everything integrates between the two for me nicely. My mail, contacts, calendars, photos and Apps so i won’t be changing simply because Apple fail to announce something.

    I hope all you that buy your Samsung’s are happy with them and they do look like an amazing phone. But me, i shall be waiting for the next incarnation of the iPhone whenever and whatever that should be.

  12. Matt

    06/23/2012 at 6:19 am

    To be honest, guys, I had a Blackberry, then upgraded to an Android. But, I was always jealous of my friends with iPhones, I think that they are by far the most desirable smartphone on the market and you’re wrong to judge the new iPhone when there is no design or software that you’ve actually seen or used yet! For one, as soon as you change to an android, you will be astounded at the lack of, and poor quality of, apps on the market. Good luck if you do buy an Android. All I know is that I am waiting until the official launch of the new iPhone before deciding on what phone to buy!

  13. titu

    06/25/2012 at 5:25 am

    i hope the new i phone will be 4 and half inch display .hope apple will say when that fuckin phone will come out we r tired to waitttttttttttt

  14. trish

    06/28/2012 at 6:30 pm

    I have the original droid(on loan from friend) because my droid 2 global died. My husband got a iphone 4s. I love it. However, I just became eligible for an upgrade a couple of months ago. I have to admit, I was waiting on new more modernly designed iphone, but I’m sad to say that I think I will soon get the galaxy s3. I really NEED a new phone badly. I think it is a beutifully designed phone with a lot to offer and frankly I can’t keep waiting on apple. I don’t have any loyalty or preference to either android or ios. I just want the best if I have to have it for 2 years.

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