The next generation of iPhone is speculated to arrive in just a few more months from now. Since the time Apple unveiled iPhone 3GS, there have been quite a few compelling developments like the foray of Google into the smartphone segment, the launch of the iPad and more heavy competition in general. Nevertheless Apple has always known to surprise its users with exciting features during its new product launches.
So what can we expect in Apple's next generation - iPhone 4G? Folks at CNET have a very good compilation of the most wanted features.
We have removed some features from their list, which we felt were not applicable to iPhone 4G and added few features of our own.
So here is the list of features that we would like to see in iPhone 4G from the least wanted to the most wanted features:
Note: We hope to come out with a similar wishlist for iPhone OS 4.0.
- OLED Screen: Rumors of iPhone sporting an OLED screen did the rounds during the launch of iPhone 3GS as well. It is quite possible that Apple decides to offer their users this feature this time around.
- Biometric Security: If Apple's patent applications are anything to go by, all you may need to unlock your iPhone is a swipe of the finger.
- LED Indicator: It would be nice if iPhone 4G gets a light indicator like the BlackBerry as it can be quite useful to indicate if you have a new message, to indicate low battery etc.
- Screen Rotation Lock: Apple replaced the mute switch just above the volume control button on the side of the device with a "screen rotation lock" in the iPad. It is high time, iPhone also gets a screen rotation lock button.
- Improved Speaker Sound Quality: The sound quality on iPhone is pretty decent. However, there is always a scope for improving the sound capabilities from iPhone's built-in speakers.
- Better Camera With LED Flash: iPhone 4G should come with 5-megapixel camera and also LED flash as the iPhone camera is currently useless in the night.
- More Storage: The next generation of iPhone is likely to come with more memory and a 64GB iPhone appears to be very much on the cards. Also, with increasing number of applications to choose from, this is definitely a feature a lot of users will need.
- Expandable Memory: This could be a great plus, though chances of an expandable memory being incorporated are pretty slim.
- RFID: Apple's recent patent applications have hinted at possibilities of NFC technology being enabled on future iPhones. The technology can allow the iPhone to act as a payment gateway besides replacing traditional keys with digital locks operated by the iPhone.
- HD Output: Current implementation do not allow users to output 720p or 1080i HD videos from the iPhone. This could be hence be a revolutionary feature on iPhone 4G.
- External Keyboard: With iPhone OS 3.2 for iPad supporting an external keyboard, we wonder if a similar option for iPhone would be made available. As CNET notes, support for a bluetooth keyboard could be quite handy.
- Open Bluetooth: Currently, bluetooth on iPhone is restricted to stream audio. This needs to be opened up to allow users to connect to other devices as well.
- 802.11n: Considering that the iPod Touch already has support to 802.11n, it is quite likely that this standard is made available on iPhone 4G.
- Removable Battery: This is another feature that has been in demand for a long time. However, considering that even the iPad does not have a removable battery, chances of iPhone 4G having one are pretty slim.
- 4G Network compatibility: Sprint and Verizon are two carriers testing 4G connections. If Apple chooses to open up its network, then an iPhone 4G that runs on 4G network is quite likely.
- Front Facing Camera: A front facing camera can pave way for video chatting functionalities. While this is a highly requested feature, it needs to be seen if Apple would heed to these demands.
- Sleeker iPhone: Will we see a thinner and sleeker model of the iPhone in the next generation? CNET predicts a 85% possibility of that happening.
- 3D Graphics: Odds of iPhone 4G getting improved 3D graphics are high as Imagination Technologies in which Apple holds 9.5% stake, has recently unveiled their new PowerVR SGX545 3D graphics chip.
- Faster Processor: Apple has introduced its native A4 processor chip on the iPad. Could the next generation iPhone get the faster iPad chip? The possibilities are high.
- Improved Battery Life: With better graphics and more resource-intensive applications being run on the iPhone today, an improved battery life is a very critical parameter. This is also an area that Apple has consistently been working on and there is a great likelihood for us to see an improved battery life inn iPhone 4G.
- Multitasking: Every other smartphone rival has it and iPhone loyalists too have been demanding this feature for a long time. Is multitasking on iPhone 4G a possibility? CNET believes there is a 25% chance.
Let us know in the comments what's on your wishlist for Apple's next generation iPhone.
[via CNET, image courtesy - designedbyitem.com]
Well unless almost all these are included in the next iPhone I am for sure getting the HTC EVO 4G and then probably the next gen iPod touch
I don't care what new features it has. I'll get the new one and sell the old one to pay for it. I would like more memory, I suppose.
just need multitasking….especially when youre listening to music and then you have to close the program to go to another…quite annoying
Same here Tyler, that HTC EVO is a killer phone. If the iPhone does not have the things mentioned above I'm out of apples garden for sure.
its gotta have a projector!!!!!!!
@John
You can currently multitask with a combination of Backgrounder and ProSwitcher jailbreak apps quite nicely, but it WOULD be nice to have it built in natively.
i havent really noticed too much difference in battery life while running pandora and doing other things at once.
to be honest with everyone, ive had the iphone 3g and now i have the 3GS and I've loved them but had problems that i decided to ignore becuase of the my love for apple. but im getting sick of them. battery life sucks, no removable battery,stopping jailbreak!.
so is it even worth it anymore? i was in denial for awhile but now im realizing that the iphone is slowly going down the drain as much as dont want to realize it.
Droid=open development= PERFECT
take the high road young grasshoppers
front facing cam would help with taking self pics also as well as voice chatting, definitely need the better camera and the LED flash it has to have that or i wont even consider buying one. multitasking is nice I ran proswitcher and all of that on my 3G but it lagged a bit adding too many programs. Open Bluetooth is nice, I would like to see a lot of the jb apps and programs become standard like Quickreplysms, voicemail forwarder, and would like to have the ability to have individual sms tones or ringtones for contacts that you also use for text messages from that person
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I'm with you. I love my iphone, but the android phones are pretty amazing. Also the new Windows mobile 7 looks very promising. I won't make any rash decisions though. If the new iphone has video chat, background, and multitasking I will buy it the day it comes out. If not I will leave apple's walled garden.
Quote: "Nevertheless Apple has always known to surprise its users with exciting features during its new product launches."
when the iPad came out everyone said "wtf its just a big iPhone" at least with their OS's they actually bring new features (tiger, snow leopard), lets hope they decide to take everyones advice this time.
iPhone will REQUIRE (hardware); flash, better battery life, more storage, forward camera
(software) multi tasking, custom ringtones for contacts/ringtone profiles, open bluetooth
if the above are not met, 98% of people will just buy the old phones. or move to google, so Apple i know ur reading this, impress us! because thats what ur known for now, no pressure.
I think now that there is competition they will step their game up a little bit. Previously they didn't have to compete with phones that could do a lot more than the iPhone could.
Hell.. iPhones couldn't even MMS back in the day. Competition will bring out the best in new features.
OLED Screen: Won't happen, will drain battery life (so I have heard).
Biometric Security: Not in a lifetime, do you want to spend 1k for a phone?
Detachable Battery: Possible.
Anti-Rotation: Very likely.
Flash: No chance in hell, Jobs hates it.
Better Camera: I'm sure it will happen.
Flash (for camera): I don't think so but it'd be nice.
Front facing camera: Maybe, but I doubt it.
I talked with an Apple rep the other day who said that if there's a new iPhone coming out this year, it'll be around Christmas due to the iPad, and that Apple wants to start moving the iPhone launch dates to around Christmas.
She said they trained them months in advance for the other iPhones and she hasn't heard anything about it as of yet.
in addition to what was mentioned, I'm hoping for HD video recording. Of course giving the size of the lens it's not going to be as good as a $1000 Canon but it could certainly replace the Flip HD. The video on the 3GS is good, but I'm hoping they step it up. I've used my iPhone to record video more than I expected to.
Am I missing something here? Why are people calling it the iPhone 4G? Because it's the 4th generation? If that's the case, then shouldn't the 3G be called a 2G and the 3GS a 3G. I think by calling it a 4G, you're assuming it's gonna run 4G speed and no way in hell is AT&T ready for that.
Stop thinking At&t is the only carrier for an iphone.. like really, theres soooo many carriers now going to GSM technology!, like sprint has 4G now. and over here in Canada Rogers is putting out 4G within months!, so is Bell and FIdo!
people are calling it 4g because it is 4th generation. The second iphone was called iphone 2g before it came out because people didnt know what it was going to be called. It was called iphone 3G because it was the first iphone to have 3G speeds. People called the 3Gs iphone 3.0 before it came out because it was the third iphone and was going to run the new 3.0 operating system. Nobody knows what the phone is going to be called so everyone just calls it iphone 4g. They usually name it after the main asset of the phone. Nobody knows what the next big asset will be though.
Bought my spouse a Nokia N900 for under 600 bones.
Honestly this is so much better than my iPhone 3G 16 gig.
n900 has 32gig onboard, an ARM 600'ish chip that actually operates at roughly 600 MHZ on linux as opposed to an underclocked chip on an iPhone.
Only because i love her did i buy a phone that's little pinkie totally owned my device.
Heck, it can drop another 32 gig on it's microsd port.
Before you fan'tards say there are no purdy apps for this. ANY linux app can be loaded on it and FLASH works perfectly on this phone.
BTW. used iphone 3g 16gig available for $600.00
Lol these facts are so funny xD a front camera? Yeah nobody need this, in many countries videocalls are not supportet and for 4g it is too early! I think hspa is in the next iphone!
I hope it has a transporter like on star trek. The cost of my service on AT&T is dipping into my travel costs.
Radio!!!
Yeah Spook, Radio tuner would be nice
All I'd really want though is a much longer lasting battery
Be honest, who actually uses Every feature of their iPhone??
could not read through the article with out having one at covering it up. good job.
Biometric Security is really quite cheap for a basic Fingerprint reader, Windows based USB devices can be got for £20(GBP)
An integrated reader switched on at powerup/wake and off after verification would be low on battery and the hardware would be cheap for mass purchase
It is the only carrier in the States unless you include T-mobile, but you can't even get 3G on the iPhone with them. Neither Sprint nor Verizon work on the iPhone. Who cares what goes on in Canada, they didn't invent the iPhone.
Apple will diverge from "apple style" if these features has implemented.
The one thing I wish the new phone supported is something it never will, FLASH!
Multitasking is also a feature that is ridiculous to not have on a modern smart phone.
That is what I have been doing since the get go. It is amazing how much an iPhone is worth even after a new one is released.*
much better grapich,faster phone,bigger and oled screen and faster way to switch wifi and maybe to change the black springboard.these would be cool to me.so like an iphone sized ipad
personaly the few features that I absolutely want are a camera flash I don't even care about more mega-pixels because the lens is to small to really benefit much from it anyway I want a better processor more rAm/rom storage an updated look a front facing camera 4g compatibility better sound turn by turn gps built in bbl for iPhone from apple the ability to screen share with other iPhones and 80211.n that would do it for me anything els would just be a plus
All those things would be fantastic. However the one thing I really want before anything else is NOTIFICATIONS!! The iPhone is crying out for decent control of notifications. The current implementation is so poor. Easy to not know that you've received an email or SMS or facebook message etc. Something like the Palm WebOS would be nice. But please do something!!
OLED uses less i thought… maybe im wrong. either way LED backlighting is a must vs (if they use this still) fluorescent.
also, on a side note, bluetooth keyboard is NOT on my list for iPhone 4g, its on my list for OS 3.2 or 4
f**k limiting 3gs's and 3g's for sales reasons
f**k that!
4G here stands for 4th generation, not for 4G network although it is possible that it will be supporting it when it becomes available.
1G – iPhone 2G
2G – iPhone 3G
3G – iPhone 3GS
4G – iPhone 4G (possible to be renamed? Maybe)
More space
Exclusive iPhone 4.0 Features & Details
Where on earth is flash player for iphone its not alot to ask for.
I find it misleading that an OLED screen is the Least wanted feature. 4 of the other features (hd, sleeker iphone, 3d Graphics, battery life) would all be more easily acheived by having an OLED screen. OLED screens are super thin, have the highest contrast, and use the leest amount of power of any other current "flatscreen" technology.
IMO, it would be a HUGE mistake not to have an OLED screen on the next iphone
I find it misleading that an OLED screen is the Least wanted feature. 4 of the other features (hd, sleeker iphone, 3d Graphics, battery life) would all be more easily acheived by having an OLED screen. OLED screens are super thin, have the highest contrast, and use the leest amount of power of any other current "flatscreen" technology.
IMO, it would be a HUGE mistake not to have an OLED screen on the next iphone
Well quite a few of these features are included in the new iPhone OS 4.0, but I would like to see the rest in the next gen iPhone. But even if that doesn't happen I'm still sticking with the iPhone… Yes I am an apple fanboy.