Image via Complex Original
Once again, Apple is gearing up to take a bite out of your wallet with the release of its most anticipated device to date: the iPhone 6. Leading up to every iPhone launch, a slew of rumors run rampant on the Internet—and so far fanboys are talking about everything from a larger screen, specialized sensors, to the unofficial rebranding of the entire iPhone line. Here are 10 iPhone 6 rumors that better come true, all leading up to its September 9 unveiling. Stay tuned.
A Sapphire Crystal Display
Looking to address the cracked screen pandemic, Apple will supposedly be integrating a new touchscreen composed of sapphire crystal. Translation: The front panel will be more durable and scratch resistant. YouTube user Marques Brownlee ran some tests on the material, which showed him bending and stabbing the display with no major damage shown. Though it's worth noting a second hands-on demonstration showed that the screen did get damaged by sandpaper. Should that be cause for concern? Unless you’re a carpenter, we don’t see why. The Touch ID home button could also be molded from pure sapphire, making the fingerprint reader more secure.
Air Pressure Sensors
Apple might have plans of making the iPhone 6 your digital meteorologist, without the use of third-party apps, of course. One report from 9to5Mac suggests that iOS 8 has coding to track altitude and ambient pressure, leading to speculation that a barometer will make its way into the final design. The inclusion would not only measure atmospheric pressure, but also work alongside the upcoming Healthbook app to deliver weather and workout data to outdoor fitness freaks. If true, consider it an advanced preview of what to expect from the iWatch.
Bigger Camera, More Features
The digital grapevine suggests two iPhone models are launching, with the high-end version sporting a 10MP camera and the low-budget model taking on an 8MP shooter. Seems like the one rumor all experts are in agreement on is the addition of "optical image stabilization," a feature that eliminates blurry and shaky movement on footage. Apple might also announce patented camera technology, which uses two separate image sensors—one to capture brightness and the other for color—all for a single photo.
Ditch Aluminum For Liquidmetal
This rumor has been going on since 2010, when Apple acquired the rights to Liquidmetal Technologies' patents. And with the recent renewal of the rights to integrate metal alloys into company products, there really isn’t a better time for Apple to welcome a redesign of the iPhone. According to patents published earlier this year, the technology could enhance the device on many levels: an upgrade of pressure sensors in the home button, touch sensors in the display, and, yes, the hardware components that keep the entire handset intact. Bring it on!
NFC Support
It might seem somewhat archaic considering how Android phones have utilized NFC technology for the past several years, but the addition of NFC would be a gratifying upgrade. Seeing how Apple is looking to usher in its new mobile payment system, opting for the wireless technology only makes sense this time out. The ability to have your smartphone communicate with other mobile devices and remotely transfer files (documents, media, etc.) directly from your touchscreen is sweet. Taking advantage of it by receiving and sending money is even sweeter.
A New and More Dominant Processor
Every new generation of the iPhone usually introduces Apple’s latest CPU. With the iPhone 5S already running on the A7 processor, the first 64-bit chip ever manufactured for a smartphone, experts believe the company will aim to launch the new 64-bit A8 processor this holiday season. Whether we’ll see it inside the iPhone 6 or the rumored iPad Air 2 has yet to be determined. The public obviously wants the luxury of basking in faster performance for instant web browsing and prompt multitasking.
Two Models and Sizes On the Way
Talk of Apple launching two different versions of the iPhone 6 isn’t anything new to the iCommunity. We can all put the pieces together, especially after the iPhone 5C/5S releases. The real gossip is in the possibility of two different sizes hitting the market. A 4.7-inch variant looks to be on the horizon, measuring closer to its biggest competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S5. On the other end, a phablet-esque 5.5-inch handset is said to be in the works as well. Could this be the next "big" thing?
Higher Display Resolution
Most iPhone 5/5S owners are satisfied with the visuals on the 4-inch Retina display, though it could still use a boost in resolution. If all pans out right, the iPhone 6 might flaunt a panel capable of delivering anywhere between 1600 x 900 to 1920 x 1080 resolution. Imagine the clarity of Beyonce's Instagram shots on this thing. Just keep in mind specs like this place the iPhone in phablet territory.
It Will Hold More Than 64GB
So… how much would you fork up for an iPhone storing 128GB? Yeah, it’s an investment, but when taking into account the cash being spent on iCloud storage, it’s a better option in the long run. The Chinese blog Wei Feng has gone on record stating the next-gen iPhone will be the largest in terms of storage. Honestly, Apple’s not that stupid to limit usage on its cloud service, especially when the use of the iCloud Photo Library will eliminate the need to save 40GB of photos onto the device. Never hurts to have more.
The iPhone Air
If Apple’s looking to reinvent the iPhone, it might want to embrace the same theory it applied to the iPad and MacBook lines and go slimmer. Drop the numerals and rebrand the smartphone as the iPhone Air. Some analysts are already speculating the iPhone 6 will be taking on a larger size (5.5-inch), but being more slim than its predecessors. It’s a far stretch to even think Apple would adopt such dimensions, but hey, we can dream.