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Really, what could Apple do for the fourth gen iPhone, hardware-wise?

D

Doju

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jun 16, 2008
1,510
1
I'm basically needing to update my iPhone this summer, so I'll be definitely getting the iPhone released then, but I have no idea what they could do on the hardware side (ignore software).

I think a cosmetic redesign (the case, not necessarily the phone's res and size itself) is a given, as the 3G and 3GS are identical besides glossy letters.

But other than that, what? Camera was updated in 3rd gen, same with processor. 64GB may come, though.
 
Camera flash, bigger battery, more flash memory, thermometer (more sensors available for programming the better, stupid as it may sound at first), action button (button to use in any app for an action, i.e. taking a picture in camera app), larger screen, higher resolution screen. I'm sure there's something else I'm not thinking of.
 
Bit smaller (time to buy new cases again!) and same performance, or higher performance and some other cosmetic changes. You know, so you have to buy new cases again... Ffs...

Also, I'd like a front-facing camera and an iChat program for video-chats on wlan/3g.
 
The could do a front facing camera. Faster, and software features. They could upgrade the camera. They have lots of options.
 
Dualscreen which would allow the iPhone to display notifications even when locked. The extra screen is a small low powered one which will display simple notifications.
 
Hm, I think and hope the following things (hardware-wise):

- Front facing camera (more and more smartphones get it, Apple has to compete with them. If it's not in the 4G, than it will be in the 5G).
- Again a new processor and maybe more RAM (to support HD video better)
- A new WiFi chip like found in the iPod Touch
- New design (maybe small, but at least more than glossy characters)
- Camera improvements (not sure how and what, but there will be some improvement I guess: maybe 5 megapixel, flash etc.)
- Higher resolution screen so maybe HD video will actually be HD.
- New sensors
- Maybe like darkcanuck said: a sort of action button
- 64GB space
- Improvements in battery
- Some bluetooth improvements

And highly unlikely but wishable:
- Infrared (I know, it's soooo old but I think really cool apps could be created with it: what about a remote for the television for example)
 
A "Product Red" iPhone. The phones name on the back (ex. "iPhone 3G S⃣ " instead of just "iPhone". A crack/scratch resistant(notice i didn't say proof, so don't flame me), The apple logo lights up(like the apple logo on a macbook), Another speaker(in case your covering the original on up), Longer speaker(the one that you put your ear on) for looks.
 
Whatever Apple may put in there to make it seem like the newest and greatest, the only thing it should be focusing on is battery life.

64 GB? Sure, as far as memory goes bigger is better.
OLED? Not quite ready for prime time, at least in Apple's mind.
Faster processor? Maybe, but definitely more efficient.

It all comes back to battery for me. If Apple can't dramatically improve battery life in these things it is hardly worth adding any other features.

Battery, battery, battery!
 
helloimD4NNY said:
oh and a LED light that shows us if we have a message or something, kinda like the sidekick/blackberry curve.
Click to expand...

Indeed. Just a blinking light for new messages. Email, texts, applications could also set this to go off for new push messages. Something along those lines.
 
Double the RAM, better processor, better graphics hardware, double space capacity, front facing 3MP+ camera, 5MP+ back camera, wireless N, just to name a few.
 
I'd like to see

Front facing camera, for Skype and stuff
5MP normal camera
LED indicator light
The ability to update it with the computer via bluetooth.
 
Gyros.
Background pedometer.
Stereo or top microphone.
Haptic feedback actuator.
Color calibration.
multi-core CPU and/or GPUs.
Longer battery life.
Dual mode cellular radio for U.S. market.
IR remote LED.
Camera that can be removed.
 
Forget OLED/AMOLED as it's still unproven for clarity in direct/indirect sunlight. Samsung are the biggest manufacturers of it and they don't use it in all of their cellphone lineup and only 2 of their smartphones use it. This should tell you something.

1. Texas Instruments OMAP4430 or Samsung equivalent. This uses the extremely fast and more power efficient Cortex A9 CPU Whig is capable of 4 instructions per cycle and SMP. This will mean more of OSX power to be ported.

2. Better shell! This needs to be done not just to improve consumer confidence but more importantly improve Apples expenses on repairs which they're incredibly great at in consumer satisfaction.

3. Higher pixel count on the LED LCD display. If they can combine AMOLED with LED backlight for direct sunlight which normally washes out AMOLED then thiswould be ideal.

4. Stereo speakers and make them loud baby. This is the new ghetto BOOM-BOX!

5. allow for built in file sharing of user created and stored content. Oh and add a lanyard loop.
 
My speculation:
-64GB (already have iPod Touch in the capacity)
-OLED (Zune HD has it, seems the way to go now days, and apparently the quality is noticeably better)
 
Better camera, front facing camera, little faster cpu, little more ram and led backlit screen and i’m happy as hell. :D
 
cocky jeremy said:
Better camera, front facing camera, little faster cpu, little more ram and led backlit screen and i’m happy as hell. :D
Click to expand...
You won't, than they will call it a iPhone 3G DS (Double Speed).

"Introducting the next generation iPhone: a better camera which of course can record video, it's up to 3 times faster* and it has a brand new screen!

* all figures are 'up to' and in comparison with the iPhone 3G"

And now compare it with the 3Gs:

"Introducing the next generation iPhone: a better camera with the ability to record video, it's up to two times faster than it's predecessor and it has an anti-fingerprint coating on the screen."

Kinda the same, isn't it. They can't efford another small update: other smartphones are having more and more features and the iPhone can't stay behind. And maybe they will have a small update, but than they should come up with something great with the 5th gen.
 
I am starting to think of the possibilities of a front facing camera...sounds like a great idea.

To be frank, I think the front needs to be updated in some way, it is starting to look dated. Doesn't apple do a design overhaul on their products every 3-4 years anyway? We're getting closer and closer to the 3rd year of the iPhone being on the market. Maybe make it shorter, by extending the screen to all 4 corners of the phone, but leave a little black on top for the ear speaker. Maybe make the edges more cornered, rather then rounded. iPhone is getting to be more and more business orientated, maybe have a LED on the side for when you get emails. In the mean time, they can have the option for a little status on the top, near the time, battery, etc, showing how many emails you have....that way you can just view by pressing the home button, and not actually having to unlock. Change the home button in some way.

Only time will tell. Until then, I am happy with my 3G....
 
palmerc2 said:
I am starting to think of the possibilities of a front facing camera...sounds like a great idea.

To be frank, I think the front needs to be updated in some way, it is starting to look dated. Doesn't apple do a design overhaul on their products every 3-4 years anyway? We're getting closer and closer to the 3rd year of the iPhone being on the market. Maybe make it shorter, by extending the screen to all 4 corners of the phone, but leave a little black on top for the ear speaker. Maybe make the edges more cornered, rather then rounded. iPhone is getting to be more and more business orientated, maybe have a LED on the side for when you get emails. In the mean time, they can have the option for a little status on the top, near the time, battery, etc, showing how many emails you have....that way you can just view by pressing the home button, and not actually having to unlock. Change the home button in some way.

Only time will tell. Until then, I am happy with my 3G....
Click to expand...
Ah, no. It should be round, I don't want to feel something sticking in my leg.
 
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