Rumor: Apple Releasing iPhone 5 In October

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Now that the new iPad was released, we can all get back to speculating about the next generation iPhone. Several websites, including iMore, are citing sources that claim the next version iPhone will have everything from 4G LTE to an October 2012 release date.

Here’s a round-up of the iPhone 5 rumors and where we think things might go.

 

Network Speed
Since the new iPad has 4G LTE connectivity, it’s extremely unlikely that Apple would keep the iPhone down at 3G. Consumers would be outraged. So let’s just say that 4G LTE on the next generation iPhone is a sure thing.

Screen Size
Even though respected websites like WebProNews are reporting that the next iPhone will have a 4.6 inch screen, we don’t think Apple will change the iPhone’s screen size. Apple has repeatedly insisted that a smaller screen is easier to use with one hand. We agree. The larger screen sizes of new Android devices are clumsy and difficult to use one-handed unless you’re a bass guitar player with long stretchy fingers.

Timing
Apple tends to keep at least a year in between product releases. Anything less, and consumers start to feel taken advantage of. Even though the iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3s were all released during summer months, the iPhone 4s was released in October 2011. So Apple will probably go with a fall release for the next generation iPhone.

Naming
Everyone was expecting the new iPad to be called the iPad 3, but Apple decided to just call it the… iPad. For the purposes of this blog post, we’re tentatively calling the next generation iPhone the iPhone 5. But will Apple decide to drop the number again and just call it the “new iPhone”? It might make sense at this point. I can see a lot of consumer confusion around product names like the iPhone 5 4G LTE and the iPhone 4s 3G. Too many numbers. If Apple kept the product name matched to the device’s network speed (ie iPhone 4G), then everything would make sense. But it’s too late now.

iOS 6
A new generation iPhone will most likely come out with a new version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS. And Apple always releases beta versions of their iOS to developers so they can create software that takes advantages of new hardware/software features for consumers. Although these beta versions of the operating system won’t tell us things like what Apple will call the new iPhone, they usually give us clues on what to expect as far as features.

 

What do you think? We most likely have 7 more months to speculate. Please post a note on our Facebook Timeline or tweet us at @methodshop.

 

 
Related Articles:

• RUMOR: iPhone 5 Coming in March 2012 – Along with iPad 3 (epicagear.com)
• Apple’s next iPhone said to have LTE, same size or slightly larger screen, arrive in fall (thenextweb.com)
• Who Bought A New iPad and Why? [infographic] (methodshop.com)
• How To Make Your Website an App Icon on an iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone [tutorial] (methodshop.com)
• Apple’s Plans to Overhaul The iTunes Store (methodshop.com)