iPhone 5: Predictions and expectations

The rumour mills are working overtime as speculations rise about the next Apple iPhone launch. The new iPhone, or as rumors call it the iPhone 5, is expected to launch with major improvements in both design and software. Here's a look at what we might get to see in it.

It's that time of the year again! The rumour mills are working overtime as speculations rise about the next Apple iPhone launch. It has been six months now since Apple announced the fifth generation iPhone called the iPhone 4S.

The new iPhone, or as rumours call it the iPhone 5, is expected to launch with major improvements in both design and software. And of course the 'one last thing' surprise element you expect from Apple.

Let us take a look at what all we might get to see in the iPhone 5.

Design
The iPhone 5 will feature a totally redesigned body that many analysts believe would include a 4-inch display in a unibody case. Apple has remained consistent with the iPhone screen size (3.5-inch) for all these years now. The iPhone 4S didn't include any major changes in the design. It almost looks exactly like the iPhone 4. Many believe that the new iPhone will ship with a 4-inch or even larger screen. What is absolutely clear is that the iPhone 5 will be sleek, very sleek.

Internal specifications
Rumors have it that the next iPhone will include an improved version of their A5X processor, powered by 1GB of RAM. Apple uses the same processor in the new iPad and it features a dual-core processor and quad-core graphics processing capabilities. The iPhone 4S currently includes the dual-core A5 processor which was included in the iPad 2 earlier. The phone is expected to include support for LTE in major countries.

Apple to unveil iPhone 5 in June?

Features
The feature-set is one of the most talked about topics when it comes to rumors for Apple products. People expect all sorts of magical features from the next Apple device. The next iPhone could include all or some of the below features (as per rumours).

The next edition of iOS, namely iOS 6:

This could provide a significant shift in terms of user experience considering Apple takes the leap as far as the screen size is concerned.

Faster apps:

With the inclusion of a significantly faster processor and iOS improvements, the next iPhone could execute even more faster apps. Expect mobile gaming to explode with unlimited possibilities.

A Better Siri:

Apple introduced its virtual mobile assistant with the iPhone 4S. Everyone is expecting significant improvements over the existing version of Siri. Not that it isn't great in its current form, there is still scope for a lot of improvement though. We all expect Siri to get even more magical with the new iPhone.

Faster access to the web:

With 4G LTE connectivity, the next iPhone will be able to provide high speed broadband connectivity on the go. Of course this will be limited to only a small number of countries where 4G is available.

Smaller dock connector:

In an unlikely event yet major event, Apple could shrink the current dock connector in the iPhone 5. This seems less likely since it would make the new iPhone incompatible with the current accessories that use the bigger dock connector.

Better battery life: For the love of God, this might be the most significant improvement if Apple can do it right. Everyone keeps crying out loud for a better battery support and with a larger form factor, Apple might be able to push in a larger battery and better power management capabilities using a new processor.

Pricing and branding
Rumors claim that Apple might stick to the current pricing model. We might just see a variant with more memory this year. As far as branding is concerned, everyone (and including those who failed at predicting the iPhone 4S name) believes that Apple will remove the number system going forward with the iPhone 5 launch, similar to what it did with the iPad. So the iPhone 5 may just be called the new iPhone.

Apple's new iPhone coming in Q2

Launch Date
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 5 in October later this year. This is purely based on speculations from analysts in the industry. Some even believe Apple might even launch the iPhone 5 as early as this summer during the WWDC to be held in June this year. Considering the iPhone 4S was launched in October, we might just have to go with the October launch date rumor.

While cancelling employee vacations for the September-October period, Apple is certainly aiming to go for a major launch event for the next generation iPhone.