Next iPhone mostly a 'repeat,' Chinese source claims
updated 09:55 am EDT, Tue May 12, 2009
Next iPhone a 'repeat?'
The next-generation iPhone will have few substantial changes, a Chinese source claims. The individual explains that through a friend at Foxconn -- the manufacturer of the current iPhone 3G -- he has managed to test prototypes of the future device, whose changes are mostly internal. The CPU is allegedly being upgraded from a 400MHz Samsung ARM chip to a 600MHz model, at the same time as RAM is being doubled to 256MB.
Such changes would make the iPhone better suited to gaming, consistently one of the most popular categories at the App Store. Helping in this regard may be a jump in maximum capacity from 16 to 32GB, although practical storage is said to be just 29.3GB after formatting. The source additionally backs up suggestions that the phone will have a separate compass, along with a 3.2-megapixel camera; a unique assertion is that the camera will have autofocus capabilities.
The phone is said to retain a 3.5-inch, 480x320 touchscreen, but it is uncertain how many of the claims may be legitimate. The source suggests for instance that an FM receiver will be present, when Apple has expressed opposition to adding the technology to any of its handhelds. The AT&T network one phone is set to connect to is meanwhile listed as "AT&T3.5," rather than the usual AT&T3.1. This could however be a reference to the company's upgraded 7.2Mbps network, often referred to as 3.5G.
Prototypes are said to use the internal model number N88, and the Apple number MB717LL. The new iPhones were said to be undergoing a "process validation test" as of late April; this may be the stage immediately before mass production. Apple is expected to formally announce new hardware at WWDC in June.
The source also makes mention of the long-rumored Apple tablet/media pad, but can offer no new details other than an internal model number, K48.
Interesting
05/12, 12:10pm reply
Faster processor, double the RAM, double the capacity, better camera, magnetometer, hugely improved software ...
I see what he means by few substantial changes.
ff11
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2004
Add better battery life..
05/12, 12:29pm reply
And I'm sold. Well, I'm already sold. I just want more storage! :)
dpicardi
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
FAIL
05/12, 12:42pm reply
2007 iPhone has a 600MHZ processor clocked at around 400MHZ. This report is based on pure speculation and NO FACTS.
dliup
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
Re: Interesting
05/12, 01:15pm (2 replies) reply
Faster processor, double the RAM, double the capacity, better camera, magnetometer, hugely improved software ...
Well, if you just add items to a list, the list does look large (if two lines is large). But let's look at what you say:
- Faster processor. Most people wouldn't know or care if the processor was faster, as they have no idea what processor is in there now. But, OK, its got a faster processor.
- More RAM. Wow. Not really a game changer, nor anything I would call 'substantial', since, again, most people would have no idea what this means to them. In fact, if you ask most iPhone owners how much RAM is in their iPhone, they'd say 8GB or 16GB.
- More capacity. Again, wow. Who'd a guessed it? Not something one lusts over, though.
- Better camera. Wait, I thought that cameras were wasteful, or adding pixels wasn't important. Now we're hearing it is. And it still is kind of low. Oh, right, it isn't important.
- Compass. That's actually something new (if it is in there). Whether it has the power to drive sales, that's another story. Apple would have to get out why it would be good/important (you know, ads like the "Let's say you're looking for a Chinese restaurant..." kind of thing). Most people have no care about the GPS (esp. since apple banned navigation apps), let alone a compass.
- New software. Can't call that a substantial change over the previous iPhone, since the previous iPhone gets it to.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
These are just
05/12, 02:11pm reply
rumors and mean absolutely nothing. No matter what Apple upgrades on the iPhone it will still sell in quantity and users will be happy. Only tech pundits, nerds and analysts will be severely disappointed by the lack of an 8MP camera, not having a specialized HD processor chip, or HD OLED display. I'll only be disappointed if they don't add another hour of life to the battery. Guaranteed, the media will say the new iPhone is a yawn. Too bad for them.
I'm more interested in an iPad and if Apple can introduce that, maybe the news media will take a little more interest instead of walking out in the middle of Steve's speech.
Constable Odo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
Re: These are just
05/12, 04:38pm reply
They won't be walking out of Steve's speech (No one walks out on Steve Jobs! No one!) It will be Schiller or Cook or one of them. Steve's off until July sometime, supposedly.
And Apple would be wise either to release a new killer device with someone else, or let Steve just announce some minor changes. Because if Steve's there, nothing that is shown will get any press/play in the mainstream media. It will be how gaunt or hale Steve looks, whether he stumbled, mumbled, cried, smiled, or smirked, and whether or not we should start the death watch.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
hmm, no video?
05/12, 04:51pm reply
If indeed the improved camera doesn't also prompt video recording, I'll be pretty disappointed. The improved processor and RAM may hint at video?
carloblackmore
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
Give me a break
05/12, 07:53pm reply
Please, I hope there is more or else I am not upgrading..
And 3.2 MP only for geeks? Go and breastfeed your mama!
This is like saying 480p is only for geeks. Well, to bad for your little black and white, CRT-world then :)
Give us something worth the wait!!
danibo77
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2005
RAM matters
05/12, 08:06pm reply
If you were a developer you'd know how easy it is to run out of RAM on the iPhone. Apps have a remarkably small amount to work with. More RAM would allow much richer applications without getting in the way of all the background processes Apple keeps running all the time.
Capacity is due for an upgrade so that's not really news. The rest sounds like speculation.
Bregalad1402
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2008
re: Mr Testy
05/12, 09:20pm reply
Mr Testy
Normally I wouldn't feed you, but you've been somewhat reasonable lately so I'll address each of your points in turn.
Faster Processor - I agree that very few iPhone users know what speed their current processor, but almost all of them would prefer a more responsive iPhone as long as it had the same or better battery life. As the story notes, this is also a play for the gaming market which is heavily dependent on raw CPU power. A faster CPU will give Apple a real shot at getting a huge chunk of the handheld gaming market.
More RAM - Ditto above, but with the added bonus that more RAM will also benefit battery life by allowing for less accessing of the CPU/storage.
More Capacity - just cause you can guess it doesn't make it a bad thing. Like many users, I've been waiting for/lusting after a 32 GB model before making the splash.
Better Camera - I actually do think that mega-pixels are over rated. I would prefer a better lens and a flash. The auto-focus will help though if it allows for larger apertures.
Compass - Not a big marketing story in itself, but if it allows for turn by turn then it could be very handy.
New Software - The current iPhone may not be able to benefit from all the new software advancements (eg software that uses the compass). It may also struggle to run newer games that take advantage of increased CPU speed/RAM.
As many posters have pointed out, this is all rumour and a new iPhone may be radically different to that portrayed here.
seth.e
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008