Apple iPhone 5
With the highly rumored September 12 release date of Apple's next gen iPhone, the so-called "iPhone 5," approaching fast, speculations concerning the 2012 version of the flagship smartphone have flooded the Internet over the last few months. Given the enormous buzz among people, it's pretty much sure that the device's sales, no matter how it finally launches - as "iPhone 5" or as the new iPhone, will touch new heights. Courtesy

Apple's next-gen iPhone will pack a new touch display in order to make the next smartphone a little slimmer and lighter, according to a CNET report.

The Cupertino tech giant is reportedly considering "in-cell" touch panels developed by Sharp and Toshiba Mobile Display, which built touch-tech into thin-film-transistor (TFT) LCD manufacturing. By modifying the touch-tech technology into the LCD display, Apple may avoid using extra sensors or glass, thereby making the next iPhone a little skinnier.

Meanwhile, there is another rumour regarding the iPhone 5. Apparently Apple intends using Liquid Metal technology, for which they reportedly paid Liquidmetal Technologies $20mn.

Release Date

There have been rumours suggesting the next iPhone could see a summer release since the Foxconn technology group was in the process of hiring workers for increased production of what was believed to be a smartphone. A few of those details were mentioned in an earlier IBTimes UK report. However, according to Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray who was quoted in a report by the Washington Post, the next iPhone is unlikely to appear before October.

Additionally, the next iPhone is said to pack Qualcomm's radio chips which allows for faster connectivity to the Internet. However, Qualcomm reportedly has supply problems, which could further delay the launch of the phone.

Specifications

The next iPhone is likely to pack a quad-core A6 processor, which will be provided by Samsung. It could have an increased screen size too, according to a T3 report; from 3.5-inches to 4-inches.

"It will be particularly interesting to see what the size of the display will be given that it has not changed thus far since the iPhone was launched with a 3.5-inch screen. Competitors have increased their devices to up to 4.3-inch. We would be surprised if they (Apple) didn't break their tradition this time and increase the size of the next model," said Daniel Ashdown of tech analysis company, Jupiter Research.

However, there are contrary reports suggesting no such change in screen size will be entertained but the device could have a 30-pin connector, to make it smaller and also free space for features like a 4G LTE radio.

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