Apple had a huge year in 2013 with the debut of an advanced operating system as well as new tablet and iPhone models. While these developments were met with relative success among consumers, there is already speculation as to what will be in store for the iPhone 6. As the year nears the end, possibilities continue to circulate, including a potential 2014 release date for the hardware. However, if the 5s, 5c and new tablets were any indication, the iPhone 6 may experience issues with its camera, battery life and screen cracks appearing when dropped.
Many industry analysts are forming guesses and expectations of the new phone as well as the characteristics of Apple itself. The International Business Times recently noted that due to the manufacturer keeping a consistent upgrade cycle, expect the new device coming sometime in the fall of 2014. The possibility for two different screen sizes have also surfaced with 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch displays as the predicted options. This type of selection could help users that want more of a phone or those that choose a phablet. However, when there is a shattered iPhone screen, it could be harder to repair due to the differences in the models. The camera and fingerprint scanner could also be getting upgrades in the next iteration.
“In one of the patents, it was alleged that Apple is investigating the possibility of re-focusable cam shooter for the next-gen iPhones and iPads, which is the tech giant's way of improving further on the optical image stabilisation that the Galaxy S5 will reportedly carry with its debut,” according to the source.
Preparing for the next generation
Based on numerous patent applications that have emerged from Apple, experts have formulated predictions on what to look out for in the iPhone 6. On such document includes plans for a display that acts as a Touch ID fingerprint scanner and a trackpad inside the home button, according to GEEK. Channeling BlackBerry's trackpad success, Apple may be considering using a more advanced version of the technology for their own hardware. The Touch ID fix also helps with problems currently seen in the 5s. The scanner will identify the user by registered fingerprints, however, the component is extremely sensitive and may be affected by dust and water. This has lead to the device rejecting a user even if the print was registered or not recognizing when the fingerprint was present. Turning the display into a touch-activated screen could help eliminate this problem and give users the power to quickly access their phone without hassle.