With Apple's big Sept. 9 event just days away, the current rumor season will soon come to a close.
In advance of Tuesday's event, we wanted to do a big rumor round-up of every plausible rumor we've heard regarding the next wave of Apple devices. As always with Apple rumors, we should take everything with a grain of salt.
Apple iPhone 6 and iWatch Rumor Roundup:
Still, if you've missed out on the last few months of crazy Apple rumors, consider this your Cliffs Notes. It's like binge-watching, but with Apple rumors. (Hey, that could be a TV show...)
The iPhone 6: Bigger screen, multiple sizes
Over the last twelve months, there have been tons of rumors and purported leaks concerning the iPhone 6.
The biggest news is that the iPhone 6 will be a bigger iPhone. This is a big deal because it represents a major shift in form-factor for the first time since the iPhone's original debut in 2007. Yes, the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S are taller, but the basic width of the device has remained the same.
Bigger screen, two sizes
The rumors: The iPhone 6 will be available in two sizes. The standard iPhone 6 will be available as a 4.7-inch device. Additionally, Apple will go full-on phablet with a 5.5-inch model.
The details: Just as Apple released an iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C last year, this year the company will release an iPhone 6 and iPhone 6L.
Rumors of the two screen sizes go back to the beginning of 2014 and although some Apple watchers and analysts were skeptical that Apple would release two new sizes at once, the lure of the phablet may have been just too much.
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How sure we feel: We feel absolutely certain that iPhone 6 will be larger than the iPhone 5/iPhone 5S. The number of part leaks from a 4.7-inch variant are just too great to ignore.
When it comes to the 5.5-inch variant, the so-called iPhone 6L, we feel almost as confident that this device also exists. As for the rumor that Apple will launch the devices at different times? Not a chance. We expect Apple to follow the playbook it followed for the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina: Same internal specs, charge an extra $100 for the larger device.
Sapphire Glass Display
The rumors: The iPhone 6 will feature a sapphire crystal display. The harder material of sapphire (which is often used for watch faces), is extremely durable and resistant to scratches.
The details: YouTube user Marques Brownlee got his hands on what appears to be a screen part for a 4.7-inch iPhone 6. It's possible that this screen is not an official part (it could have been a prototype or even a one-off attempt to look like a future iPhone), but one thing is for sure: this screen is insanely durable.
How sure we feel: Back in January, Tim Cook confirmed that the company's Mesa, Ariz. facility would be used for producing sapphire glass, so that's a good sign. And although some reports suggest that Apple might charge a premium for phones with Sapphire displays, we're not convinced. We believe that if Apple releases a phone with a Sapphire display, it won't build that price into its final bill of materials. Instead, Apple will do what Apple does best: Dominate the supply chain and manufacturing process, driving the price down for itself while driving the component prices up for its competitors.
NFC payments:
The rumors: The iPhone 6 will include NFC, paving the way for Apple to launch its own mobile payments system.
The details: Apple likes to boast that it has more payment data on file for its customers than any other retailer. As a result, analysts expect Apple to make a big splash in the burgeoning payment space.
The latest rumor is that Apple will support NFC with the iPhone 6. This could be big news for NFC and mobile payments. NFC has been available on other phones for years but has had a difficult time finding adoption in the United States and with many retailers and banks.
There are also reports that Apple has partnered with Visa, MasterCard and American Express for its payment plans.
How sure we feel: We feel confident that mobile payments are on Apple's radar and that the company will at the very least introduce something to ease into the space on Sept. 9, but we're not as confident that the details are in place for a full-scale launch. Moreover, Apple's investment into iBeacon and Bluetooth LE makes us think that even if NFC is involved in Apple's payments efforts, it won't necessarily work the same way existing systems do.
Ultimately, even if the next iPhone does have NFC, that doesn't necessarily mean we'll see iPayments immediately.
Bottom line: We'll call this one a maybe.
The iWatch:
The iPhone 6 isn't the only big Apple product rumored to be in the works, mounting evidence indicates that Apple will also unveil its first wearable device on Sept. 9, the mythical iWatch.
Release date rumors:
The rumors: Apple will announce the iWatch on Sept. 9, only to officially release it a few months later.
The details: Apple's foray into wearables will be unveiled to the public on Sept. 9, but as with the iPhone and iPad, there will be a delay before the product is available to customers.
Apple is famous for making products available within days of an unveiling, but for new product categories, the company often takes a different strategic approach. The iPhone was shown off six months in advance. The iPad was unveiled two months before becoming available, giving developers time to build apps.
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An that appears to be the case with the iWatch (or whatever it is called.)
How sure we feel: This seems a near slam dunk. If we were betting people, we would put down big bucks on the fact that Apple will announce a new wearable (likely a watch) on Sept. 9. We feel equally confident that the lack of part leaks indicates that the device isn't in production.
The name
The rumors: The iWatch is the prevailing rumored name for Apple's wearable gadget, but other names are on the table too, including the iTime, the iBand and iFit. It goes on. Personally, I'm a fan of iWear as a platform name.
The details: This is like the iPad all over again. In the years leading up to Apple's first iOS tablet, rumors and guesses over product names were all over the map. My personal pick, back then, was iNote. At the time, the prevailing wisdom was that the name would be the iTab or the iTablet.
Instead, Apple zigged and called it the iPad. The usual maxi-pad jokes followed, but within a few weeks, the name just fit. Now it would be hard to think of the iPad as anything else. We expect that the iWatch — or whatever — will be the same way.
How sure we feel: The only thing we're sure of is that we're not sure of what the iWatch will actually be called.
Multiple sizes
The rumors: Apple might not just be bringing out multiple-sized iPhones, there might be multiple versions of the iWatch in the works, too.
The details: Thanks to some key hires, including TAG Heur's former vice president of sales and retail, the rumor mill is in a tizzy with the idea that Apple might be planning a whole line of watches. Or, at least a few variants.
If smart wearables are going to take off, most analysts agree that the category will need to be diversified the same way jewelry and traditional watches are diversified now. That is, ignoring the one-size-fits all paradigm of the Moto 360, LG G Watch or Samsung Gear line.
As a woman, I whole-heartedly agree. Taking cues from elite watch makers would be a good way to address the market. Moreover, with customized bands and other accessories, Apple could give more options without having to have a million different product SKUs.
How sure we feel: As a woman, I certainly hope Apple has more than one design in the works. Realistically, however, it's too hard to gauge. Still, we would bet on Apple entering a new category with sizes that work well for lots of different wrists.
We say this sounds 75% likely.
Curved or round screen:
The rumors: Rumors of the design of the iWatch are all over the map, but the most enduring theories say that the screen will be curved or round.
The details: From mockups to potential part leaks, the biggest un-answered question about the iWatch is with its design.
Still, it seems unlikely that Apple will follow the slab-square design that its competitors have taken to.
So will it be curved a la the Gear Fit? Or Round like the Moto 360? Maybe it will be something else entirely. Jonny Ive reportedly has said that Switzerland — the home to the world's best watches — is in trouble. That doesn't tell us anything about the shape of the design, but it does imply that Apple is looking at watch jewelry as inspiration, rather than trying to ape the slabs of others.
How sure we feel: The only thing we're sure of is that whatever the design, it will be awesome.
Battery life
The rumors: Battery life will be awesome. Or Awful.
The details: The biggest issue facing wearables is battery life. This is why the Pebble is one of our favorite smartwatches — its battery actually lasts.
According to The Information, Apple is downplaying its wearable's battery life, which indicates it might not be in that "lasts a week" sweet spot many analysts agree wearables need to reach to become mainstream.
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Still, other sources indicate that Apple is doing great things with both circular design, wireless charging and display tech to eek as much power from the device as possible.
How sure we feel: Not sure at all. Battery life will be a big sticking point for the iWatch, but we have no confidence one way or another on how this will pan out. Flip a coin on this one.
APPLE, GADGETS, IWATCH, MOBILE, RUMORS, TECH.
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