While the most anticipated smartphone launch of the year is still a long ways away, there are emerging reports already providing some sense of the next iPhone's features. A Trendforce report indicates that, for the second year running, Apple will ditch the low storage option for the iPhone and set the bar at a minimum of 64 GB.
The report suggests that there will only be two storage options for the next iPhone, at 64 GB and 256 GB. Which means that the 32 GB and 128 GB models might be discontinued. As earlier rumors have suggested, there could be three variations of the iPhone this year, and it would only be logical to have only two storage options in the interests of a lean manufacturing process.
Another feature being touted as groundbreaking is the replacement of TouchID by iris scanning or facial recognition. Ming-Chi Kuo, the well regarded KGI analyst, has suggested that Apple will replace TouchID with a MacBook Pro like activity bar in one of the models.
Latest reports are also pointing towards the possibility of a revolutionary 3D-sensing front camera in the new iPhone. KGI analysts are suggesting that the smartphone will use dedicated infrared (IR) receivers and transmitters to gauge the depth of an object. Reportedly, the camera sensor will be produced by Sony and the infrared sensor will be manufactured by Foxconn or Sharp.
The 3D system will work by sending the IR signals towards the objects and capturing the reflected signals with an 1.4 MP IR sensor.
For a moment, if one were to take all the rumors and speculation at face value, then the premium most upcoming iPhone will have an almost Bezel-less AMOLED display, glass back, wireless charging support, 3D front camera, 3 GB RAM and IRIS scanning support. No surprises then that this iPhone could be priced above $1,000.