Despite being around for a while, the image above of the possible fourth generation iPhone has gone relatively unnoticed thanks to the iPad announcement. However, according to both Engadget and AppleInsider, the photos come from a pretty credible source. Furthermore, I noticed that the larger frame around the iPhone in the image is very similar to the one we saw in the leaked iPad photos (not these, but other leaked images) that turned out to be correct. While the quality of the image leaves much to be desired, the form factor does appear very similar to that of the current generation of iPhone. The majority of improvements will be internal, anyway.
For instance, there isn’t much more you can do with the external hardware of the iPhone other than change the form factor, color, or material. However, the real improvements may be internal (which we obviously can’t see from this image), such as even faster processors (possibly even an Apple G4!), a better camera, and more RAM. Either way, I’ve been holding off on a 3GS in hopes that Apple will soon refresh the iPhone hardware, so I hope this is coming soon. And considering that the 3G to 3GS jump wasn’t much of a change, I’m hoping this next one will be big (not iPad big; feature big).
Via [AppleInsider]
Apple G4? Surely you intended to refer to an improved Apple A4 processor, right?
And, while it may be a bit early for LTE or WiMAX radio capabilities, one can always hope. Both at&t and Verizon are deploying 4th generation LTE network segments, while Sprint/Nextel and T-Mobile are looking to WiMAX.
That observation in NO way endorses the idea that a Verizon 3G or even 4G device will appear in the near term, as the business models and corporate cultures of Verizon and Apple seem completely at odds, and irreconcilable.