We’re just two hours away from Apple’s press event, where it is expected to unveil a new iPhone. But will it be a completely new iPhone 5 or a low-cost version known as the iPhone 4S? And will it be exclusive to Sprint?!
Despite the late hour, there are still rumors floating around, from talk of cases with a new design to discussions about the device’s expected speeds. Here’s a look at a few of the last-minute rumors making the rounds.
Cult of Mac reports that case maker Hard Candy is prepping 50,000 cases for a “mystery Apple device.” the device is much larger than the current iPod touch and iPhone, with a 4.44-inch diagonal screen. Hard Candy told the blog that its sources indicated a device that is “significantly” bigger than the iPhone 4, but “the case tapers, making it feel a lot thinner.” there is also reportedly space for a long “lozenge-shaped” Home button.
The debate over the iPhone’s speed continues, meanwhile, which kicked off again last week when a China Unicom exec said the iPhone 5 will have HSPA+ 21 “4G” speeds, but not 4G LTE. the Wall Street Journal this morning reported that the new iPhone will run on 3G networks, and not LTE or WiMAX.
That contradicts a report from Boy Genius Report yesterday that said Sprint will get the iPhone 5 months ahead of AT&T or Verizon as a 4G WiMAX device. “I have been told that Sprint will be getting the iPhone 5—yes the real iPhone 5, not the iPhone 4S—as an exclusive. And it will be a 4G WiMAX device. AT&T and Verizon would launch the iPhone 4S and get the iPhone 5 some time in the first quarter of next year as an LTE device. Globally, the iPhone 5 might be available as a 4G HSPA+ device,” according to the blog.
While Apple will announce its device today, it probably won’t hit store shelves for several weeks. a number of dates have been thrown out there, but today’s rumors point to an October 14 launch.
For all the scoop from today’s event, which kicks off at 1pm Eastern, follow along with PCMag’s live blog. also check out 9 things we Want From the iPhone 5 and What to Expect From Apple’s iPhone 5 Event.
Losing track of all the Apple iPhone 5 rumors? For more, see last week’s top rumors as well as those from the week before and two weeks ago. also check out What the iPhone 5 might look Like and Six Amazing Phone Technologies we Want in iPhone 5, as well as the 8 Likely iPhone 5 Rumors, and 2 Wild Ones slideshow below.
Update: What did we end up with? How about the iPhone 4S, a revamped iPod touch and nano, and an October 12 release date for iOS 5 and iCloud? sorry, iPhone 5 fans.
For more from Chloe, follow her on Twitter @ChloeAlbanesius.
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