iPhone 5

Four-inch iPhone concept gets mocked up

Earlier today we shared an interesting theory with you regarding the argument for a four-inch iPhone. The case for the larger-screened device was laid out by a Verge forum member, and has since garnered some serious attention around the web.

So much in fact, that a mock-up of the conceptualized handset has already surfaced. 9to5Mac reader Spencer Caldwell created the image you see above, which gives us a good idea of what an iPhone with a 1152x640 display could look like...

A scenario for an iPhone with a 4-inch display

Even though we are likely a good 6 months away from seeing Apple's next iPhone in the flesh, we are already hearing tons of gossip regarding possible new features. One rumor in particular, an all-new 4-inch display, seems to be surfacing rather consistently.

Folks in the Apple community have been postulating the existence of a 4-inch iPhone for more than a year now. And after more than two years with the iPhone 4 design, and over 5 years with the 3.5-inch form factor, many think the handset is ripe for a change...

Wondering when the next iPhone will launch? Ask a Foxconn employee

We know, we know. The iPhone 4S has barely been out for 6 months now, and rumors of the next handset are already getting out of control. Just this morning we've heard gossip regarding the unannounced device's appearance and internals.

And now we're looking at another report from South Korea's Maeil Business Newspaper that claims to know when the next iPhone is going to land. According to its "source," we can expect Apple to unveil its new handset in October of this year...

Rumor: next iPhone to feature redesigned unibody case and 4-inch display

It seems like we've seen a flurry of iPhone-related rumors today. Earlier, we learned that Apple has begun internally seeding sixth-generation iPhone prototypes with 1GB of RAM and a modified A5X chip. And now we're finding out about its appearance.

As noted by AppleInsider, Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White issued a note to investors this morning regarding information he picked up during a recent trip to Asia. And judging from what he learned, Apple is completely rebuilding the iPhone...

Rumor: next iPhone to include 1GB of RAM, tweaked CPU

According to a new report by 9to5Mac, a new iPhone and a new iPod touch is in the works.

Should this even be labeled as a rumor considering the absolute inevitability of these hardware updates? I don't know, but the wait, speculation, and anticipation is always amusing.

According to their sources, a variant of the A5X chip will power the next generation iPhone, and it will include 1GB of RAM. To me, a varient suggests it's probably not an "A5X" per-se, but an entirely new processor dedicated to the device's smaller form factor, and less visually intensive needs.

Their source also indicates that the next generation iPhone has been seeded internally, yet it is being housed in ho-hum iPhone 4/4S casing to throw off any potential leaks.

Sounds about par for course. I guess the only thing left to make this 100% legit is for the new iPhone tester to head to his or her favorite bar, am I right?

Sprint confirms unlimited LTE data ahead of 4G LTE iPhone

Excluding some regional carriers such as nTelos (which begins carrying the iPhone on April 20), Sprint remains the only major wireless carrier in the United States with an unlimited everything plan. Unlike others, Sprint's iPhone customers are enjoying unlimited data. Not surprisingly, the carrier would love to retain this key differentiator as it's prepping to finally roll out 4G LTE.

According to a new report, a Sprint spokesperson has now confirmed that the carrier is planning on offering unlimited data when their 4G LTE network goes live. 4G LTE support is all but given for the upcoming sixth-generation iPhone. Even with Sprint being terribly late with 4G LTE deployment, this is still good news for future iPhone customers.

The speed increase offered by 4G LTE technology over 3G HSPA+ is substantial. And if the new 4G iPad is anything to go by, unlimited data could sway those prospective data-hungry customers.

The next iPhone to pack eco-friendly battery with fast charge time?

What you see here is a brand new breakthrough battery design from NEC called Organic Radical Battery (ORB). Measuring just 0.3mm in profile thanks to the use of polymer film of 0.05mm thickness, these ORBs are just a fraction of the somewhat bulky lithium-ion polymer batteries found in today's smartphones and other portable devices.

What’s best, the tech sports fast charge time and is is completely eco-friendly, unlike their lithium-polymer counterparts that contain some harmful elements. Apple's iOS gadgets and notebooks currently utilize the lithium-polymer battery technology.

According to a new report, Apple is interested in using the extremely thin yet powerful ORB battery technology in its revamped next-generation iPhone, expected some time during the early-summer or Fall.

Rumor: Foxconn recruiter says next-generation iPhone is coming in June

Macotakara points to a report this morning from TV Tokyo's World Business Satellite. The TV show recently conducted an interview with a Foxconn personnel recruiter who had some interesting things to say about the next iPhone.

According to the blog, the recruiter told the news program that Foxconn is in the midst of a major hiring binge to prepare itself for production of Apple's upcoming handset — a device, that he says, will be launching in June...

Check out this “iPhone Pro” concept with DSLR lens mount

As most of you know, we love a good iPhone concept here on iDB. Concepts allow us to see what kind of features could be implemented in the handset if conventional design rules didn't exist. And they're fun to look at too.

This latest mockup, which comes from designer Choi Jinyoung, is certainly no exception. The iPhone Pro, as he calls it, comes fully loaded with a 4.5-inch display, a built-in nano projector and a DSLR lens mount...

Sprint says its network will be eligible for LTE iPhone

Even though Sprint became an official iPhone partner last fall, Apple snubbed the carrier earlier this month when it launched its new 4G-capable iPad to the masses. The tablet has been a staggering hit, breaking a number of various sales records.

There's also been some speculation that Sprint will be left out of Apple's LTE party again this fall — assuming the next iPhone features the tech — due to its lack of LTE coverage. But the Kansas-based operator doesn't seem to be too concerned...

Apple’s Cook touring China to talk iPhone 5 with carriers (UPDATE: greater investment mulled)

Though Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs never visited China (so says the official biography), the new CEO Tim Cook has been spotted at the company’s Apple Store in Joy City, a shopping mall located in Xidan, Beijing. A local news article included pictures of Cook posing with fans, snapped at the store. However, the real purpose of the executives's visit to China is shrouded in secrecy.

Remember, Cook also visited China last year and was photographed at China Mobile's headquarters in Beijing. China Mobile, the nation's largest wireless operator and the world's largest carrier with more than 600 million subscribers, does not yet carry Apple's handset. Nonetheless, they are already hosting some 15 million iPhones on their network, up from 10 million back in October.

Is Cook in China to cut that long-expected iPhone deal with China Mobile?

Foxconn reportedly facing strikes as it prepares for next iPhone production

The China Morning News is reporting that Foxconn, Apple's goto manufacturing partner, is currently in the middle of a significant hiring binge. The company hopes to increase numbers by 20,000 at its Taiyuan plant in Northern China.

According to the report, the push is in preparation for the production of the next-generation iPhone. The handset isn't expected to hit the market until later this year, but Foxconn is said to have already received orders from Apple...