We've already heard a rumor that both the iPhone 5 and iPad 2 will sport a shiny new dual-core processor, but now several more details about both devices may have just leaked out. First up is the iPhone 5, which, surprisingly, hasn't been the star of many rumors up until now. According to "reliable sources" speaking to Engadget, the next-gen iPhone will feature a complete redesign and include Apple's new A5 CPU (Cortex A9-based, multi-core). Additionally, Apple is reportedly going to stuff a CDMA/GSM/UMTS Qualcomm baseband processor inside, eliminating the need to make separate handsets for AT&T and Verizon. Just like Verizon's iPhone 4, though, it doesn't sound like there's any plans for LTE. The iPhone 5 is said to be on track for a summer release.
The rumor mill isn't staying quiet about the iPad 2, as the same tipsters claim that the Apple's upcoming tablet will feature the same CDMA/GSM capabilities and multi-core A5 CPU as the iPhone 5. Not only that, but the next-gen iPad is said to sport an SD slot in that little cutout pictured above and, contrary to previous rumors, a higher resolution display. Don't expect any crazy 2560 x 1920, Retina Display-type stuff, but the screen is described as being "super high resolution." The iPad 2 is said to be coming some time around April.
While several of these rumors shouldn't come as much of a shock, there are a couple that I'm still a little surprised by. I doubt that Apple wants to keep making separate devices for AT&T, Verizon, and any other carriers that offer their products, so it seems logical that they'd begin using CDMA/GSM chips so that they only have to create one iPhone 5 and one iPad 2. Considering that dual-core Tegra 2 Android phones are beginning to see the light of day, the possibility of a multi-core A5 CPU doesn't seem like a stretch, either.
The SD card slot bit surprised me the most, but it does make sense if you think about it. After all, Apple sells an iPad Camera Connection Kit that allows users to transfers photos with an SD card, so why not make the process easier? Unfortunately, we're still months away from these products' announcements, meaning it'll be some time before we know if they all hold true. That doesn't mean we can't speculate in the mean time, though! So what do you all think? Are all these specs the real deal?
UPDATE: The folks at MacRumors have done some digging and learned that the resolution of the next iPad could very well be 2048x1536, double that of the current model. The icons you see below were found in version 1.1 of the iBooks app.
- Log in to post comments