Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 (as the media terms it) will offer an 8-megapixel camera. So says the longtime rumor drifting around the Internet, now possibly confirmed by a “test photo” drifting around the Apple-enthusiast blogs.
The blog PocketNow recently uncovered an image of an artfully arranged plate of sushi. “This (very attractive) photo claims to have been taken by an iPhone 4, but the rest of its EXIF data tells a different story,” read its Sept. 7 posting. “Although the image has been cropped to 2,235x2,291 (5.12 megapixels) the original picture was a much larger 3,264x2,448—or just shy of eight megapixels.”
In addition, the blog continued, “The lens was recorded as a 4.3mm f/2.4, which is closer to that of a point-and-shoot than the iPhone 4’s actual 3.85mm f/2.8.”Supposedly, the image’s GPS data also suggests it was snapped at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino, Calif., which just so happens to be the address of Apple headquarters.
As with any iPhone-related rumor, take it with the requisite grain of salt until Apple hosts its inevitable unveiling. In addition to an 8-megapixel camera, other rumors suggest the iPhone 5 will include a larger screen and faster processor, along with an 8-megapixel camera and possibly a redesigned body. There’s also a widespread theory that Apple intends to release a line of low-cost iPhones to complement its next-generation device, which in turn would allow Cupertino to combat the rising number of cheap Google Android smartphones on the market.
T-Mobile parent company Deutsche Telekom AG is allowing customers to preorder the iPhone 5, according to Bloomberg. However, the preorder process lacks any mention of a release date or device specs.
Although Apple has remained customarily tight-lipped about its plans for the next-generation iPhones, rumors generally point to a September or October unveiling for the device. In the United States, the iPhone is not yet available on T-Mobile, which has been targeted for acquisition by AT&T.
Beyond its product road map, Apple is undergoing some seismic shifts at the moment. In an August letter to Apple’s board of directors and employees, CEO Steve Jobs suggested he could “no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO.” He asked the board to activate a prearranged succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO—a familiar role for the latter, considering he’s stepped in as interim chief whenever Jobs’ longstanding health issues drove him to take medical leave.