Insights For Success

Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Security

Rumor

KGI says the unannounced 5.5" iPhone is delayed

technologyEdward Kiledjian

Ming-Chi Kuo, the famous KGI Security analyst, is now claiming that Apple's iPhone 6 5.5" model will be delayed because of constraints with some key components. He claims that current supply chain contacts say it will be pushed post October (possibly into 2015).

He claims the issue may lie in the drop test durability of the new sapphire display. His "unnamed sources" claim that when the larger iPhone 6 is finally released, fewer than 20 million units will be available.

The 4.7" iPhone 6 is expected to have the same issues but he believes solving it on a smaller display size device is much easier. he also highlights the fact that there have been more leaks of the 4.7" iphone 6 than the larger 5.5" one.

The truth is that Apple hasn't announced anything yet and I don't think it is fair to say an unannounced product is delayed. It can't be delayed until Apple officially provides a release date which is missed. So take all of this with a grain of salt.

If you need a new iPhone then get whatever they release in Sept-Oct but remember that most generation 1 releases have issues that are worked out post-release. I prefer to stick with the "s" iteration of the iPhone's to ensure most kinks are worked.

Samsung Galaxy S5 secrets revealed

technologyEdward Kiledjian
galaxy-s5.jpg

With an expected release around April, sites around the internet are buzzing with claimed spec leaks for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphones.

So far, we believe Samsung will release 2 version of the Galaxy S5:

  • One in typical plastic sold for around $800 off contract
  • One with a premium metal body that will release for around $1000 off contract

Leaks also indicate that we will see a Samsung Galaxy S5 mini and an S5 zoom

Spec wise:

  • We expect a 2K QHD (sub 6") screen
  • We expect 2 processors (Exynos 6 for international markets and Qualcomm 805 for North America)
  • We expect a 16 megapixel backside illuminated rear camera and a 5 megapixel front selfie camera
  • Android Kitkat (v 4.4)

We also know that Samsung will spend less time on goofie features (like golf swing mode in the camera app) and more time strengthening the value add functionality (to compete with Motorola's MotoX). Its important to remember that the MotoX is inferior (spec wise) to the Samsung Galaxy S4 but most reviewers, who played with both, prefer the Motorola MotoX because of these smart situation aware features and its always listening mode.

FCC leaks Nexus 5 information

technologyEdward Kiledjian
Nexus5_leak_1.png

Google published a video this week that showed the unveiling of the Android Kit Kat statue in front of the Googleplex. The above snapshot shows a new unannounced Nexus phone, which may be why Google quickly pulled the video.

Site S4Guru discovered an FCC filling for a new LG device whose shape seems to match that of the mystery phone shown above. Could this be the next Nexus (Nexus 5)?

The FCC filling shows that the device will support these bands:

  • GSM 850/1900
  • W-CDMA 1900/2100+1700/850 (band 2, 4, 5)
  • CDMA1X/EV-DO 850/1900/800 (band class 0, 1, 10)
  • LTE 2100+1700/850/700/1900/800 (band 4, 5, 17, 25, 26)
  • TD-LTE 2600 (band 41)
Nexus5_leak_2.png

iPhone 5s will hit the market September 20

technologyEdward Kiledjian

Although Apple hasn't publicly announced the iPhone 5s announcement event, we all expect it to take place at the Apple campus on September 10th. The next question is when will Apple make is available in the market and now we think it is September 20th.

We now learn that T-Mobile has implemented a vacation blackout for its retail employees September 20th to September 22nd. Typically these blackouts are implemented when the company expects a flood  customer demand for the launch of hot new product. Although this isn't restricted only to Apple launches, there aren't any other product launches that we believe could generate that kind of traffic.

Typically Apple holds its events early one week and makes it available to the market the friday of the following week.

Rumor summary 

We expect the iPhone5S to include a faster processor, faster graphics chip, a slightly improved camera, a fingerprint sensor and a new gold coloured device. The iPhone 5C is expected to be a plastic backed device with more limited performance destined for the lower cost market.