iPhone 5 Rumors: Device to Feature 1GB RAM, NFC and LTE
A report today contradicts some of the previous rumors that stated that the iPhone 5 already went into production.
Apple puts its devices through multiple stages before a product is manufactured, including an "engineering verification test" stage and the "design verification test" phase, according to the BGR.
The publication's sources have stated that the iPhone 5 is currently in the first of those two phases.
In order to get an idea of when the next-generation iPhone will hit stores, Apple fans can look at the production schedule of Verizon's iPhone 4. The device went into the EVT stage in the middle of November 2010 and did not enter into DVT until December of that year. It finally launched on the carrier in February 2011.
If the final version of Apple's next iPhone has not started production yet, the device's release is not as close as some media sources are reporting.
The site also confirmed specifications for the device that included it having 1GB of RAM, integrated 4G LTE radios, and NFC (near-field-communications) hardware. The device should be released at the end of September or early October, according to reports.
Apple is also employing new screen technology for its next-generation iPhone that will make it considerably thinner. A thinner screen will likely yield a thinner device overall.
The Wall Street Journal claims that Sharp, LG, and a new company known as Japan Display are currently developing this new screen technology for Apple. It is known as "in cell" technology and what makes it unique is that is does not separate the touch sensors from the LCD itself. This allows for the display to be thinner.
Normally, touch screens are created using multilayer technology. But "in cell" will eliminate the need for more than one layer by incorporating it all into one. This will make the screen around a half a millimeter less thick. It will also improve the quality of displayed images.
