iPhone 6

Sketchy schematic drawing of next-gen iPhones surfaces

Cody Lee ∙ March 28, 2014

A fairly sketchy, schematic-like drawing has surfaced on the web this morning depicting what could be two next-gen iPhones. The image, which is of terrible quality, was first published by popular Japanese magazine MacFan and then passed on by Macotakara.

As you can see, the drawing shows two separate handsets: one with a 4.7-inch display and one with a 5.7-inch display. This lines up with several previous reports, as do many of the design elements of the devices such as their bezel-free screens and slim profile...

Nikkei: Apple to launch 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone as early as September

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Japanese news outlet Nikkei threw its weight behind a popular rumor today, reporting that Apple's next-gen iPhone will come in both 4.7- and 5.5-inch models. The theory that the company is working on two new larger-sized handsets has been reiterated several times over the past 6 months.

Citing sources within Apple's supply chain, Nikkei says that manufacturers have already begun making components for the new smartphones, like fingerprint sensors and chips for liquid-crystal drivers, and Sharp, Japan Display and LG will begin mass-producing their panels as early as April...

Survey finds 33% of iPhone owners would pay an extra $100 for bigger display

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2014

We don't really know anything about Apple's plans for the next-gen iPhone, but the consensus seems to be that it will feature a larger display. As Samsung and other rivals continue to gain marketshare with their 5-inch+ handsets, it's believed that Apple cannot continue to avoid the so-called 'phablet' space.

And analysts couldn't be happier. Why? Well just look at this new survey data published by Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt. According to the data, one-third of American iPhone owners would be willing to pay an extra $100 for Apple's next smartphone if it featured a larger display than its predecessor...

Rumor: Pegatron to start assembly of large-screened iPhones and iPad Airs this Fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

The Commercial Times newspaper reported last week that Apple's contract manufacturer Pegatron is gearing up to kick off mass production of the iPhone 6 in the second quarter of this year at its China-based plant in Kunshan.

On Monday, The China Times newspaper claimed new information saying that Pegatron has landed orders for both large-sized iPhones and iPad Airs.

However, contrary to The Commercial Times story, Pegatron is actually said to start the operation of the Kunshan plant, which is located in China's Jiangsu Province, in the third quarter of this year.

That facility will be solely dedicated to churning out Apple products. For reference, Pegatron is the primary manufacturer of the iPhone 5c and iPad mini...

iPhone 6 to have 8MP camera, report claims

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 20, 2014

Instead of the twelve or sixteen-megapixel camera upgrade in its 2014 iPhone offerings anticipated by watchers, Apple is said to stick with the eight-megapixel module and focus on improving image quality through software advancements and features like optical image stabilization, a new report asserts.

Apple is seemingly expected to skip the megapixel race with the iPhone 6 "to concentrate on other ways to better images," people familiar with the matter apparently told AppleInsider...

2015 iPhones and iPads could achieve photorealism with ray-traced graphics from Imagination

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 26, 2016

Imagination Technologies, a fabless UK-based semiconductor maker, has been supplying PowerVR-branded mobile graphics IP for Apple's in-house designed iDevice chips since the iPhone's inception.

Detailed 3D graphics, speedy animations and smooth performance have always been one of the hallmarks of the iPhone and iPad so it's no surprise that Apple is an investor in Imagination.

Following Imagination's announcement of a next-generation PowerVR GX6650 GPU that promises to smoke graphics giant Nvidia's own Tegra K1 mobile processor, Imagination yesterday said it is taking PowerVR graphics architecture to the next level by adding ray-tracing capabilities.

Apple likely won't utilize this technique in its upcoming A8 chip for the iPhone 6 and 2014 iPads because Imagination's technology won't be making its way into products until 2015.

This means that come 2015, your iPhone and iPad could easily give dedicated game consoles a good run for their money graphics-wise, by supporting high-quality lighting and shadows, accurate transparency and photorealistic reflections...

Pegatron reportedly gearing up to start iPhone 6 production in Q2

Cody Lee ∙ March 18, 2014

According to a new report from the Commercial Times, Apple supplier Pegatron is gearing up to start mass-producing the iPhone 6. The production is expected to kick off in the second quarter of this year at its Kunshan, China-based plant.

The newspaper says that the manufacturer has already begun recruiting workers in China, and has even opened up a new factory space, in an effort to prepare for large orders from Apple. The new handset is expected to debut later this year...

iPhone 6 said to feature ‘Ultra-Retina’ display, 3 new sensors and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

A pair of reports surfaced this weekend, claiming to have knowledge of the features and specifications for Apple's new iPhone. The first report calls for the smartphone to have a trio of new sensors, and the other says an 'Ultra-Retina' display is in the cards.

So-called iPhone 6 rumors have been appearing rather frequently over the past few months, with everyone trying to predict the design and capabilities of Apple's next handset. A larger display, sapphire and A8 chip are all in the pile, and today we add this...

Upcoming large-screened iPhone described as a cross between iPhone 5c and iPod nano

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 11, 2016

There have been numerous attempts at envisioning what Apple's next iPhone might look like, especially as the likes of Reuters and The Wall Street Journal jumped on the iPhablet bandwagon calling for two new large-screened iPhones, one with a 4.7-inch display and the other rocking a screen that seemingly measures at least five inches diagonally.

A new report by the rather accurate Japanese blog Macotakara now claims that the upcoming iPhones will expand on rather than replace the current four-inch four factor offered by the iPhone 5/5s/5c, with the bigger model classed as a phablet...

New concept takes realistic approach in visualizing next iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ March 10, 2014

In a world where iPhone concepts typically feature radical case designs and edge-to-edge displays, Sam Beckett's new 'iPhone Air' concept stands out. It's not flashy, it's not paper-thin, it's just an honest attempt to visualize what Apple's next smartphone could look like.

The handset bears an obvious resemblance to previous iPhones, but the classic design still looks great stretched out across the larger body. In line with recent rumors, Beckett has given his concept a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080, and a beefy ppi of 468...

TSMC allegedly started producing A8 processor for iPhone 6 last month

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

A new story published by Taiwan's Commercial Times (Google translate) and relayed by Agence France Presse has it that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest independent foundry, has begun churning out A8 chips that will likely serve as the engine for the coming wave of iOS devices, namely the iPhone 6 and the next iPad.

TSMC also builds Touch ID sensors for the iPhone 5s. The firm is understood to account for the bulk of A8 chip manufacture as Apple's been attempting to decrease its reliance on Samsung, which up until recently used to exclusively build mobile processors for iOS devices based on Apple's blueprints...

Full production of GT-made sapphire starting in H2 2014, in time for Fall launch of iPhone 6

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

GT Advanced Technologies, a U.S.-based company Apple's partnered with on mass-scale sapphire manufacture in its new Mesa, Arizona facility, today released earnings for the 2013 holiday quarter and said that 2014 will be a "transformational" year for the company. Plans to supply sapphire glass to Apple are "progressing well" as GT expects a very profitable second half of 2014.

Its projected revenues also indicate a Fall launch for the next iPhone model (or models, if you believe the rumors). According to GT, the company has "started to build out the facility in Arizona and staff the operation" during the previous quarter...