Latest Recent Technology: Apple rumours: iPhone 6 and smaller Retina Display MacBook to launch next ...

Monday, October 14, 2013

Apple rumours: iPhone 6 and smaller Retina Display MacBook to launch next ... - Daily Mail

Apple’s iPhone 6 could be the first to have a larger 4.8-inch display
It could launch as early as July, although many expect a September release
A new iPhone could include wireless charging and even a flexible screen
Apple also rumoured to be working on a smaller, 12-inch MacBook

By Victoria Woollaston

PUBLISHED: 05:56 EST, 14 October 2013 | UPDATED: 06:10 EST, 14 October 2013

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As if two new handsets and a range of new iPads expected to launch next week wasn’t enough, the rumour mill has already started looking towards what Apple will launch next year.

Experts predict Apple’s next phone, dubbed iPhone 6, will have a 4.8-inch screen and could launch as early as July 2014.

It could also add a wireless charging feature and even follow Samsung and LG by launching a handset with a flexible display.

Fresh off the launch of Apple’s latest handsets the iPhone 5S (front) and iPhone 5C (back), experts are already debating what the tech giant’s next phone, dubbed iPhone 6, will look and work like. It is expected to have a 4.8-inch screen and could launch as early as July 2014

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM NEXT WEEK’S RUMOURED IPAD LAUNCH

According to Current Editorials, the tech giant could announce a new iPad mini as well as an improved iPad – dubbed iPad 5 – on 22 October.

This would be almost a year to the day since Apple’s CEO Tim Cook unveiled the first generation mini, and the release would see the tablets go on sale in time for Christmas.

It’s likely the iPad mini 2 will keep the current 7.9-inch screen and not drop to 7-inches, in a bid to stay slightly bigger than Google’s Nexus 7 and Tesco’s new Hudl.

If Apple adds the Retina display seen on its new iPhones and larger iPads, its possible the second-generation iPad mini will be heavier and thicker.

According to Apple site, 9to5Mac, the rumoured iPad 5 will also keep the 9.7-inch, high-resolution screen seen on older models.

The camera is due an upgrade, too, and it’s thought Apple would move to an 8MP rear-facing lens, with the possibility of even a 12MP camera being added.

Tim Cook said earlier this year that 2014 would be a ‘major product year for Apple’ and it could also finally launch its iWatch device as well as new TV products.

As was seen with the launch of its iPhone 5S and 5C this year, as well as previous models in previous years, Apple traditionally unveils a new phone in September.

This launch is usually accompanied by a new operating system and a new range of MacBook devices before new iPads are launched the following month.

A new range of iPads are, therefore, expected to launch this month – on 22 October.

Apple could then unveil a new operating system for developers around summer next year and announce the iPhone 6 in September, before making it available to buy before the next generation of iPads come out a year from now.

However, PC Advisor believes Apple might ‘shake things up a little bit’ and launch the iPhone 6 earlier than expected.

Although rumours about specific features are thin on the ground, many analysts and experts agree the iPhone 6 will have a larger screen, possibly 4.8-inches, in a bid to compete with rival Samsung.

Samsung's Galaxy Round, pictured, has a 5.7-inch curved display fixed to a concave casing. It's 7.9mm thick, weighs 154g, and has a 13MP camera

Apple could also copy rivals Samsung and LG by launching the iPhone 6 with a flexible display, similar to the Galaxy Round, pictured

The current 5S and 5C Apple handsets have 4-inch screens, up from 3.5-inches on the iPhone 5.

Brian White of Cantor Fitzgerald said: ‘We are confident a larger iPhone (approximately five inches) will become a reality in 2014.’

Yet Apple’s CEO Tim Cook expressed concerns about larger screens in April claiming customers are more impressed by resolution, brightness and how a screen affects the phone’s battery life, rather than size.

He said rivals, such as Samsung have ‘made some significant trade-offs in many of these areas in order to ship a larger display’ and added Apple ‘would not ship a larger display iPhone while these trade-offs exist.’

Apple is rumoured to working on an iPad 5 and an iPad mini 2, with analysts pointing towards a 15 October launch date.

A new range of iPads are expected to launch on 22 October. These leaked images from technology site Tactus, allegedly show the rear shell of the iPad 5, pictured, with coloured cases. Apple could also unveil a second-generation iPad mini

Apple is said to be working on a 12-inch MacBook Pro as a smaller and more portable version of its 13-inch model, pictured

PC Advisor also believe the iPhone 6 could have NFC built-in, expandable storage and follow Samsung in launching a range of wireless chargers.

There are even rumours Apple could copy its rivals by launching a phone with a flexible display.

However, it’s likely Apple will wait to see whether Samsung’s Galaxy Round and LG’s rumoured G Flex phones are popular before taking this step.

The iPhone screen has a reputation for smashing easily, though, and a flexible screen would help prevent this.

Elsewhere, Apple is said to be looking at launching a smaller, more portable version of its MacBook with a 12-inch Retina Display.

It could launch in either the second or third quarter of next year and, according to 9to5Mac, could be ‘as portable as current 11-inch MacBooks and productive as 13-inch’ models.