AppleInsider reports that Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty mentioned in a research note to investors that Apple's next generation iPhone will be slimmer and include a quad-mode chip from Qualcomm that will enable it to support 3G and 4G LTE networks across "network flavors".
AppleInsider reprots:
As for Apple's next iPhone, Huberty said details on the device remained "sparse," but she believes the device will be ready at the end of the second quarter. The launch will depend on "manufacturing yields," she said, adding that she expects the next-gen iPhone to arrive in the third quarter "unless competition heats up."
According to her, new touch panel technology will enable Apple to make the device thinner. Huberty also claimed Apple is "considering" new casing materials.AppleInsider goes on to add:
Huberty said it appears that the next-generation iPhone will incorporate Qualcomm's quad-mode chip that would allow it to "run on all 3G and LTE network flavors," but she said it was "too early to know for sure." If Apple were to ink a deal with China Mobile, it would increase confidence that Apple would utilize the chip, she added.
"What is clear about iPhone 5 is that Apple and its supply chain are positively surprised by the demand for iPhone 4S, which increases confidence in strong sales for iPhone 5 later this year. Overall, the supply chain looks for stronger than market growth for both the iPhone (50%+ y/y vs. market 20-30%) and the iPad (20-40% growth, higher with a lower priced iPad 2)," she wrote.
Earlier in the week, T-Mobile USA CTO had also revealed in an interview that the next iPhone chipset will support T-Mobile's 3G network, indicating that Apple could finally start selling the iPhone on T-Mobile USA's network.
However, few things need to fall in place for it to happen. At the Verizon iPhone launch, Tim Cook had explained why Apple was reluctant to introduce 4G LTE iPhones last year:
"The first generation of LTE chip-sets force a lot of design compromises with the handset, and some of those we are just not willing to make"
The design compromise that had to be made in 4G phones were evident in the first 4G capable phone in the U.S. - Verizon's Thunderbolt (via Forbes):
[the phone] relies on a pair of chips to work. One chip, from Samsung, communicates with Verizon’s 4G networks, allowing the handset to achieve blazing data speeds of between 5 and 20 MBPS. Another chip, from Qualcomm, lets the handset talk to Verizon’s 3G network.
So Apple would most likely come out with a 4G iPhone only when unified chips supporting both 3G and 4G would be available. That and of course if the battery life doesn't take a huge hit. It looks like Qualcomm's MDM9615 modem is the ideal chip that meets Apple's requirement.
However, it is not scheduled to begin shipping until the second quarter of this year, which means that the earliest the 4G LTE iPhone can be introduced is by the third quarter of 2012.
[via Apple Insider]
Now let’s see if there is a new iPhone on the horizon or in the later part of the year. Since the sales of iPhone 4s is still booming and still be launched in other parts of the world, i’m not anticipating a release of a new iPhone within the next 9 months or so. We live to see..
8^( ????
another useless rumored news
Agree. This just in. The iPhone will be better than the 4S and have rocket assist to let you fly to work.
Surely you just.
This is the reason why I havent bought a new phone yet cause of this crap. But It’s actual benefits me cause I won’t be like these idiots buying a new iPhone every year ( 200.00 x 5 = 1,000).
Jokes on you clown. I sell my old device for 350 and then buy the new one for 200. 150$ profit … Idiot
That’s if you upgrade every 2 years and good luck getting $350 for a 2 year old phone. Idiot
That’s if you upgrade every 2 years and good luck getting $350 for a 2 year old phone… Idiot
You can easily get 350 for a 2 yr old iPhone, iPhone have great resell value and holds it value. We not talking about no android phone which lose it value the time you buy it
Well said!
Apple releases an iPhone every year. You don’t have to wait 2 years. You just pay $100 more for the phone cause your not eligible for the $200 upgrade.Which means you still get $50 profit when you sale your 1 year old iPhone for $350 you idiot!
Without the upgrade it’s more than $100 more. Try $200 to $400 more depending one memory size.
um…. ANY one wanna buy my mint 2g? 150$!!!
j/k =P
i should be an analyst. i can speculate what “might” happen. if it does, i’m a genius, if it doesn’t, i was just speculating anyways, so…..
then i would be mentioned on this website all the time !!!
Yeah, right? I’m just wondering if they get paid for these analysies and if so, how do I get in on it! Thinner/better? Dur. That’s like predicting a sunset…
This is what weathermen do as a second job.
This is not rocket science.
Just like the iPhone 4s was going to be thinner and larger right!
Thank-goodness Steve Jobs is out of the picture! Now with his pride/arrogance out of the pic, Apple can finally have a bigger size iPhone and can compete with SAMSUNG! (gotta admit Samsung has much better phones than Apple for the past 2 yrs or so), What! also working in in major networks is also against Steve Jobs wishes! May he rest in peace, but with him out the way, this rumor can true!!!