Affiliate Disclosure
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read our ethics policy.

Improved antenna, 4-inch screen, NFC e-wallet rumored for Apple's iPhone 5

A new report from a Far East newspaper reiterates rumors that Apple will sell a next-generation "iPhone 5" this summer with an improved antenna design, a larger 4-inch display, and integrated near-field communications chip for wireless e-wallet transactions.

China Times reported Tuesday (via Google Translate) that Apple's so-called iPhone 5 is now in its "trial production stage." It also said that the new device, which will allegedly have a "metal chassis" for an improved antenna design, will launch in the third quarter of 2011.

The new design would apparently be to address issues that arose with the iPhone 4, when it was discovered that covering the bottom left corner of the handset could cause some signal attenuation. The metal band on the perimeter of the iPhone 4 doubles as the device's antennas, saving space inside the handset.

The report also reiterated recurring rumors that the iPhone 5 will include an NFC chip for an e-wallet service, allowing handset owners to use their device to authorize credit card transactions. Rumors of NFC support have persisted for months, and on Monday The New York Times cited two anonymous sources in saying that Apple planned to add an NFC chip to a future iPhone, but could not confirm whether it would be the iPhone 5.

Tuesday's report also added support to rumors that Apple plans to expand the screen size of the iPhone to 4 inches with the fifth-generation device anticipated this year. Rumors have suggested that Apple could increase the display from its current size of 3.5 inches without increasing the physical size of the device, utilizing an edge-to-edge screen.

Finally, the report also indicated that the next iPhone will, as expected, include Apple's new dual-core, custom built A5 processor. The A5, which offers twice the processing power and up to 9 times the graphical power of its A4 predecessor, debuted earlier this month inside the iPad 2.

China Times also noted that strong demand for Apple products, particularly the iPhone and iPad, has prompted Apple's manufacturing partner, Foxconn, to plan a new facility in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was said that the new plant will be specifically to build Apple products, and production will start in 2013.



128 Comments

hugh jarse 17 Years · 20 comments

I am skipping the upgrade of my iPad to an iPad 2 to fund an iPhone 5, so am hoping it will be worth it

svnipp 17 Years · 421 comments

Definitely planning on upgrading from my 3GS to the 5 this summer. Just wondering if the slide out keyboard rumor is true or not. Also wondering if there is going to be any faster or broader frequency support for data.

Seems to be an exciting tech summer for me. Upgrading to Lion on the Mac Pro and new MBP. New iPhone, and love the idea of a larger screen.

Fun stuff. I'd be wishing it were June now if we didn't have a cruise coming up in May.

ctwise 18 Years · 48 comments

I don't believe the 4 inch rumor. Apple isn't going to change the height/width ratio of the screen. I think at most the display will change from a 2" x 3" to a 2 1/8" x 3 3/16". Update: making it a 3.831 inch screen, not a 4 inch screen.

MacPro 19 Years · 19853 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by svnipp

Definitely planning on upgrading from my 3GS to the 5 this summer. Just wondering if the slide out keyboard rumor is true or not. Also wondering if there is going to be any faster or broader frequency support for data.

Seems to be an exciting tech summer for me. Upgrading to Lion on the Mac Pro and new MBP. New iPhone, and love the idea of a larger screen.

Fun stuff. I'd be wishing it were June now if we didn't have a cruise coming up in May.

Slide out keyboard???

I prefer the rumor it has the built in ability to deliver a high voltage shock to anyone applying a death grip.

island hermit 15 Years · 6214 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by svnipp

Just wondering if the slide out keyboard rumor is true or not.

No... the third party manufacturers had it wrong... the keyboard is actually for the upcoming Microsoft Zune phone... in brown...