Does the next iPhone need a hardware boost?

[cababah]

And why?

The specs on the 3GS make it more than capable of doing a lot of things, do you see Apple improving the specs on the 4G iPhone even more? Obviously at the expensve of developers who will have an even more divided market thus never catching up.

 

[iPhone 62S]

If the new iPhone didn't have any hardware changes, then in what sense would it be a upgrade?

 

[cababah]

I am mainly speaking about the CPU/RAM/Video card, the things that mainly determine what Apps the phone can run. Certainly, they can add a better camera and maybe a front facing one and change the aesthetics. The 3G had the same hardware (CPU etc) as the 2G yet it was considered a huge "upgrade."

 

[Becordial]

It really does. Hardware also includes the battery and that really needs all the help it can thrown at it, both in battery tech and more efficient handling in the CPU of the power it gets from the battery.

Secondly, it needs something that gives it the speed to truly allow a much larger number of apps to run simultaneously as well as providing dynamic alerts and similar on the home screen. Switching all of these things on now would probably make it quite sluggish, but if the hardware is brought up again (keep doubling RAM every year for a start) it will better handle the demands when such features are added in.

 

[thelatinist]

I imagine next summer's model will be iPhone2,2 (as the 3G was iPhone1,2) and will have minor tweaks but no major change in specs. We may get a better camera, a slight case redesign, a 64GB model, and OS4 preinstalled (including Google Navigator and the new FM radio app). I imagine that most of the software upgrades will be available to to the 3GS as well, since it will have nearly identical specs.

If reports are true, though, they may not make any changes to the 3GS next year, instead focusing on the release of a CDMA/GSM worldband phone with a smaller form factor. In that case, the 3GS could be next year's 3G...with no real changes beyond price and updated firmware.

 

[samcraig]

I think Apple should implement the shake to charge feature. Just think of all those watches that can run forever just by shaking them for a few seconds every day. Imagine if you could just shake the iPhone to charge it up.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Better resolution screen as the latest phones have been focusing on lately. A 64gb HD Iphone would be nice. A better camera is a given, but they shouldn't focus souly on higher megapixels, but a better lens & a good flash too. And while I'm at it, throw in Push To Talk.

 

[cababah]

I think Apple should implement the shake to charge feature. Just think of all those watches that can run forever just by shaking them for a few seconds every day. Imagine if you could just shake the iPhone to charge it up.

Sorry, I am trying to picture someone doing that with their back facing me.

 

[Brien]

I don't foresee the GPU or CPU changing until the 5th generation phone. Apple may choose to alternate between minor and major refreshes each generation, as (so far) is the case with the iPhone and iPod touch.

Hardware-wise, I do see a speed bump in the CPU (making it identical to the touch 3rd-gen), however. I also foresee the inclusion of 802.11n, FM/HD radio tuner (and possibly AM), a switch to OLED screen tech, and a redesigned case that mirrors that of the new iMac (aluminum housing, with a plastic Apple logo that doubles as the antenna).

Possibilities may include the new mobile DTV standard that just came out, a larger resolution screen, smaller/thinner form factor, and CDMA chips.

Overall it'll be the same phone as the 3GS, with newer components and a shinier coat of paint, much like the 3G was the original iPhone with a (some argue) better casing and GPS/3G.

 

[Plutonius]

A faster processor will greatly impact the battery life so I vote no.

 

[thelatinist]

Hardware-wise, I do see a speed bump in the CPU (making it identical to the touch 3rd-gen), however. I also foresee the inclusion of 802.11n, FM/HD radio tuner (and possibly AM), a switch to OLED screen tech, and a redesigned case that mirrors that of the new iMac (aluminum housing, with a plastic Apple logo that doubles as the antenna).

Of the things you've mentioned, I would guess that 802.11n and the FM tuner would be the most likely. I highly doubt we'll see an OLED screen in the iPhone any time soon; cost would be prohibitive. I also doubt we will see an AM radio; the phone already has an FM tuner built in, but an AM tuner would require not only a new chip but a significant chunk of ferrite for an antenna. While I like the idea of an Aluminum 'unibody' iPhone aesthetically, I imagine such a phone would run into problems with reception. There is a reason they switched to plastic for the 3G...

 

[Niyaolowe]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm thinking if they added a oled screen they could bump the CPU speed without hindering battery life as you would save power not needing the back light

 

[The General]

(aluminum housing, with a plastic Apple logo that doubles as the antenna).

Plastic does not conduct electro magnetic radiation.

Of the things you've mentioned, I would guess that 802.11n and the FM tuner would be the most likely. I highly doubt we'll see an OLED screen in the iPhone any time soon; cost would be prohibitive. I also doubt we will see an AM radio; the phone already has an FM tuner built in, but an AM tuner would require not only a new chip but a significant chunk of ferrite for an antenna. While I like the idea of an Aluminum 'unibody' iPhone aesthetically, I imagine such a phone would run into problems with reception. There is a reason they switched to plastic for the 3G...

If Microsoft can put an OLED screen and HD radio in the Zune HD then Apple can put them in the iPhone.

 

[iPhone 62S]

If Microsoft can put an OLED screen and HD radio in the Zune HD then Apple can put them in the iPhone.

They can, yes, but I certainly hope they don't.

 

[darngooddesign]

Apple will boost the CPU/RAM one year and the aesthetics the next. We just got a significant hardware boost this year so the 4G will get a different case and some minor hardware changes.

 

[dukebound85]

They can, yes, but I certainly hope they don't.

why?....

 

[iPhone 62S]

why?....

OLED screens, as they are today, are just crap. They're hard to see in sunlight, they die quicker, and when showing any colour that's not black they use a s***load of power.

HD radio just means it's getting signal from a few different sources. I guess it don't matter if Apple add this, but I doubt they'll bother, it's just something Microsoft is hyping up on the Zune.

 

[IronLogik]

OLED screens, as they are today, are just crap. They're hard to see in sunlight, they die quicker, and when showing any colour that's not black they use a s***load of power.

HD radio just means it's getting signal from a few different sources. I guess it don't matter if Apple add this, but I doubt they'll bother, it's just something Microsoft is hyping up on the Zune.

the HD radio on the Zune requires you use the Zune headphones, or at least headphones for the antenna. Not real useful in my opinion. Can anyone verify if you can use any headphones or does it require the Zune's standard ones?

 

[greygray]

Yes. Battery life must be improved, more memory (64GB), hopefully a redesign. The rest are just toppings. A custom made chip by Apple to be placed into the iPhone next year would be pretty nice too.

 

[Morn]

Not quite sure what there is really left to do with the iPhone, the A8 Cortex and 256MB finally lets the OS sing instead of frustrate.
I guess they could up the flash to 64GB, make the phone smaller, surely the top and bottom bar could be reduced. An OLED screen would be nice.
Battery life? Unless they make it thicker there's only so much that they can do really.

 

[greygray]

Make the phone smaller, surely the top and bottom bar could be reduced. An OLED screen would be nice.
Battery life? Unless they make it thicker there's only so much that they can do really.

No way. No smaller iPhone. If so, where does the home button and earpiece go? If others can do it, Apple can create something better. So battery life can be improved still.

 

[Becordial]

Given the phone dies all the time I want it to have something that actually tells me it's alive still.

I dont care whether its on the screen or even a big stupid green LED like on some blackberry's but I am sick of checking whether it is alive, because it is always going flat.

 

[ThatsMeRight]

5 megapixels camera and 64 GB are things that will come for sure I guess. 3 is fine, but 5 is better. 8 as a maximum, more megapixels don't work very well (yet) with todays lenses.

I guess also some new chips: better for the environment (like Apple always is promoting) which consumes less energy. In that case the battery will last longer, even if they use the same battery as in the 3Gs but of course they will update the battery some how so much longer battery life. WiFi 802.11n (like now found in the iPod Touch even though it isn't activated yes).

Radio will come to the iPhone to for sure, maybe through some update or with the new iPhone. Multitasking once has to become true, and I think there's even little hope for flash now it's asked more and more by people. Sure, HTML5 is great, but for the timebeing I want some flash.

 

[ThatsMeRight]

Given the phone dies all the time I want it to have something that actually tells me it's alive still.

I dont care whether its on the screen or even a big stupid green LED like on some blackberry's but I am sick of checking whether it is alive, because it is always going flat.

Seriously, how can that happen. I use my iPhone all the time and when I go to bed I've enough battery left for the next day.

 

[Brien]

Plastic does not conduct electro magnetic radiation.



If Microsoft can put an OLED screen and HD radio in the Zune HD then Apple can put them in the iPhone.

Perhaps you misunderstood - the plastic doesn't block reception like aluminum, so by putting the antenna behind the logo (on the iMac) it's similar to having a plastic back.