iPhone 5 rumors and release date: analysts’ predictions for 2012

iPhone 5 could be released in Q1 of 2012

According to Alexis Madrigal, a senior editor at The Atlantic, Apple’s next-generation iPhone could come out in less than six months.

The iPhone 5 “is probably going to come out in the first quarter of 2012,” Madrigal wrote in post at the beginning of this year. In addition, the analyst predicted that the handset will be a trendsetter in the world of tech in 2012.

“I think the release of the iPhone 5 will be the pivot around which the rest of 2012 turns in tech,” he speculated, adding that the smartphone could set “a whole new standard for communications devices.”

iPhone 5 could feature quad-core A6 chip

Charles Moore at The iPhone 5 News Blog speculated that the iPhone 5 might be powered by an A6 CPU.

Citing a post at DigiTimes, Moore wrote in early January that the next iPad models will be the first to use Apple’s quad-core A6 processor. At present, iPad 2 and iPhone 4S feature the dual-core A5.

“And if the iPad 3 does indeed turn out to be powered by A6 silicon, it will be a strong indicator that the iPhone 5 will be likewise equipped,” Moore speculated.

iPhone 5 will be a “more radical update”

Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu estimates that Apple’s next smartphone will represent a “more radical refresh” with features such as 4G LTE technology.

“From our checks with supply chain and industry sources and consistent with what we had said in early August, we are picking up that the new iPhone will be a more radical update with a sleeker, thinner form factor, and a slightly larger screen,” Wu writes.

He adds: “In addition, it will likely incorporate 4G LTE technology, which would provide a significant boost in wireless network performance. We believe this significant update keeps the iPhone fresh and competitive and helps maintain its leadership position.”

Wu also speculatesd on the possibility that Apple could actually get a step ahead of companies offering 4G Android technology due to the fact that the Cupertino company is among the latest to acquire 4G LTE.

iPhone 5 will be slimmer and will work on all networks

The iPhone 5 could come with a thinner body due to new touch panel technology and Apple might introduce the device in the quarter ending in June, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty said.

In addition, Hubert believes that Apple’s next-generation iPhone could include a quad-mode chip from Qualcomm that would allow it to operate on all 3G and LTE networks.

The analyst also suggested that a new material may be used to build the casing for the iPhone 5.

LTE could mean bigger battery for the iPhone 5 and iPad 3

Carlo Raphael Diokno at popherald.com speculated that the next-generation iDevices will have to integrate a heavier battery if they are to feature LTE technology.

The anayst wrote that Apple will need to insert a heavier battery if it plans on introducing Long-Term Evolution to its gadgets in 2012.

Diokno also concluded that if the Cupertino company decides to add either the 4G/3G toggle or 4G, there is a high possibility that the next-gen iPhone and iPad will be thicker due to antenna and the battery.

iPhone 5 could feature 4-inch screen

Susquehanna Financial analyst Chris Caso believesthat the next iPhone will have a 4 inch screen.

In a note to his clients, Caso wrote that the iPhone 5 will enter production this year in June, ahead of its fall release, and that it will come with a larger 4 inch screen.

The analyst also predicted that the Cupertino tech giant will shift around 36 million iPhones in the first quarter of 2012.

iPhone 5 will have a “monster” launch and release date

A completely redesigned iPhone 5 is set to launch this year in august, Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray speculated. Munster believes that the future iPhone 5 will have a “monster” launch.

“If Apple sells 30 (million)-plus iPhones in Dec., with no new form factor, up from 17.1m in Sept., it would be evidence supporting our survey work indicating that 94% of iPhone users plan to upgrade to a new iPhone,” the analyst wrote.

“This theme suggests iPhone 5, which we are expecting in Aug. with a new form factor, will be a monster upgrade.”