September 9th is right around the corner and Apple is reportedly announcing a lot of stuff. From leaked iPhone parts, to an alleged wearable, there’s a lot to cover and may be overwhelming to the average Joe.
Until event day, nothing is confirmed. But we will round up all of the exciting rumors and leaks and try to figure out what Apple has behind their dark mysterious curtains.
iPhone 6
Without sounding like captain obvious, we can almost 100% guarantee that the next generation iPhone will be announced at this event. Looking at Apple’s track record, this should be the main event.
The next generation iPhone, being dubbed the iPhone 6, is probably the most talked about product on the internet right now. Reportedly being the biggest change to the iPhone ever, there’s been a ton of leaks and rumors going around.
iPhone 6 (4.7 inch)
Naming scheme aside, we’ve gathered several what we expect to see from the device.
- A 4.7 inch screen (the screen resolution isn’t a set number. There’s been multiple repots of multiple different resolutions). It will stick with the 16:9 aspect ratio and should be wider and longer than the current iPhone 5s.
- Thinner and lighter design. This one is pretty much a given, every iPhone gets thinner and lighter.
- A combination of gorilla glass plus sapphire display.
- Color should be the same as the last model. Space gray, silver, and gold.
- Better camera optics with optical image stabilization. Also, a protruding camera lens.
- An Apple A8 chip clocking in at 1GB of RAM and an updated motion co-processor, possibly the M8.
- Improved speaker.
- Improved touch ID sensor.
- 128GB storage capacity. We should see the death of the 16GB iPhone. 32GB may become standard.
- 1800mAh or 2100mAh battery. May or may not effect battery life (extra mAh is to power bigger screen most likely).
- Improved cellular capabilities. With an improved LTE antenna with MIMO technology and possibly LTE-A.
- NFC capabilities.
iPhone 6 (5.5 inch)
The iPhone 6 5.5 inch has had less press until as of lately. Though it’s still expected to be announced at this Tuesday’s press event.
- A 5.5 inch screen (again, the screen resolution isn’t a set number). It will stick with the 16:9 aspect ratio and should most definitely be wider and longer than the current iPhone 5s.
- Just like the 4.7″ we should expect a new thin and light design. With space gray, silver, and gold.
- The internals should resemble the 4.7″ model.
- A 2915mAh battery.
iOS 8
iOS 8 is pretty much a given. If the next generation iPhone(s) are announced iOS 8 should follow.
With over 200 new features announced at WWDC. iOS 8 is expected to be the biggest feature release of iOS since its birth. Features such as Continuity, Handoff, and iCloud Drive will not only make you more productive, but make OS X and iOS work in ways that seemed impossible a year ago. With that in mind, iOS 8 may come with those features disabled at launch. Reports claim iOS 8.0.1 will be released alongside OS X Yosemite in October to re-enable these features.
iOS 7 was publicly released on September 18th, 6 days after the iPhone event and 2 days before they went on sale. We expect this release pattern to continue. Will we see OS X Yosemite released alongside iOS 8? Unlikely, but possible.
Mobile Payments and NFC
It’s no secret Apple is planning to push NFC into their devices. In fact, reports claim that both models of the next generation iPhone will include NFC. NFC will help guide Apple’s Passbook and iBeacon technology to the next level. In theory, Apple will make NFC mainstream.
Apple has slowly but surely been hyping up mobile payments over the years. Beginning with over 800 million iTunes accounts followed by Passbook, iBeacon, and touch ID. It would only make sense for Apple to take a jab at NFC this year.
Apple is also working with major credit card companies such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and more to help aid their payment systems.
iWatch
Apple’s wearable device has been long rumored but has now been rumored to launch this upcoming Tuesday. Dubbed “iWatch,” Apple said to finally make a wearable. The iWatch supposedly has multiple sensors such as heart rate, and blood pressure. It is also said to integrate with iOS 8’s HealthKit and HomeKit.
Nobody’s really sure when. But if Apple had to announce it this year, September 9th seems like the best time to do it.
iPod?
There was a time when Apple refreshed the iPod line in September. That has since been taken by the iPhone. Last released in October 2012, it seems as though Apple has decided to refresh the iPod line every two years.
Though highly doubtful, the iPod may get some stage time during the September 9th event.
Your opinion?
Though nobody knows for sure what Apple will be announcing, what do you think Apple will announce on Tuesday? Will the iWatch finally see it’s debut? Or did Tim Cook leak fake parts to the press to throw us off guard? Whatever it may be, let us know in the comments section below.
As usual, Apple will be live streaming the event. We will also be covering the event live, so check back in with us during the event!
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