Apple fans, get ready to be wowed. It’s been less than a year since the hotly-anticipated iPhone 4S hit the shelves, but according to reports the rumoured iPhone 5 is already in the final stages of testing. In fact, according to the latest news, the next iteration of the world’s most innovative line of smartphones could be unveiled at a keynote speech on 7th August and be on shelves early as mid-September.
The question on everybody’s lips in the run-up to the autumn launch is: what can we expect from Apple’s newest offering? There are plenty of rumours flying around, but which are true and which are simply the product of wishful thinking from tech heads?
Well, first here’s what we do know. Initial reports suggest that a purported iPhone 5 will be blessed with 1GB RAM – that’s twice the size of iPhone 4S – as well as boasting 4G LTE capability on some US networks. A supposed iPhone 5 backplate leaked in early May substantiated exciting rumours of a 4” screen, two-tone back and larger speaker grills. A separate leaked picture of the front of the phone shows a front-facing camera located above the speaker.
Getting technical, the roadmap of mobile chip design specialist ARM, of which Apple is a licensee, boasts a quad-core processor similar to some of the other more advanced smartphones released in 2012 – and with the new iPad making use of 4G, it surely isn’t too much stretch of the imagination to assume that iPhone 5 will also exploit 4G technology.
Is this the iPhone 5?
Of course, it isn’t all good news. Apple recently sanctioned a patent for replacing accessories on the next iPhone version, meaning that some fans fear chargers and other compatible accessories may have to be replaced when they upgrade their phone. There was an outcry last month after TechCrunch reported that the 30-pin port will be ditched for a 19-pin connector, led by iPhone owners who were concerned that their expensive docking stations wouldn’t work with an upgraded iPhone 5.
Let’s be honest, though: even if Apple does go ahead with the replacement port, most iPhone fans won’t be able to resist upgrading to the latest model. The question for most of us will simply be how to manage our current contract so that we can take immediate advantage of the upcoming launch.
If you’re committed to a long contract you essentially have two choices. Either negotiate a mid-contract upgrade with your provider or, if your current contract finishes in the next few weeks, opt for a SIM only plan that will allow you to take advantage of an interim short-term deal. You can check out the latest SIM only deals and compare different networks on the Carphone Warehouse website.
If you’re waiting for the release of the rumoured iPhone 5 then the best deal is to opt for a 30-day rolling contract, which is highly flexible and allows you to change both your network and allowance quickly. Perfect for iPhone fans keen to keep up with the latest Apple products.
Link: Carphone Warehouse
