What to Expect for iPhone 6 and Galaxy S5 in 2014

by James Gan, CSDN

The two key players that are defining leading smartphones have narrowed down to Samsung and Apple.

For 2014, we can get a glimpse of what may come by looking at the evolution of different components that make up a smartphone.

A. Image sensor

1. Samsung may go for a smartphone with a 16 megapixel image sensor.

2. For Apple, the next evolution is likely to be an increase in the resolution from 8 megapixel with a 1.5 micron pixel size to 10-12 megapixel but maintaining the image sensor pixel size.

This improvement will allow for better digital zoom, perhaps equivalent to an optical zoom of 3x.

B. Processor

1. Samsung is likely to put in an “Exynos” 64-bit processor using ARM’s 64-bit architecture design, rather than its own. The key disadvantage here is lack of integration with ISP (image signal processing).
2. Apple will likely introduce a 64-bit A8 processor using TSMC’s upcoming 20 nm process technology, giving it much higher performance (at least twice?) than Samsung’s 64-bit offering.

C. Touch ID

1. Samsung is probably not likely to introduce a fingerprint reader as the investment is quite significant (~$500M ?) and the technology not trivial to achieve high accuracy.
2. Apple will continue with this technology, with possibly financial companies offering preferred mobile payment apps if a user has an iPhone with the Touch ID.

D. Display

1. Samsung’s edge in being a large display manufacturer will encourage Samsung to continue using this to its advantage. Areas that Samsung would play may include a curved display as well as entry into IGZO displays.
2. Apple’s insistence on the importance of holding a phone with one hand will encourage Apple to make a phone with a display size of 4.5" or so (rather than 5" or larger), with little increase (~ 2 mm?) in overall width of the device.This is possible only with a smaller bezel/border (~ 1 mm) and an increase in the vertical dimension.A slightly curved display may also add perhaps another 1 - 2 mm to the viewable display area.

• The iPhone 6 is likely to have an IGZO display to reduce power consumption and enable an A8 processor to be clocked at 1.6 GHz versus the current 1.3 GHz for an increase in performance to exceed Qualcomm’s or Samsung’s offerings by a large margin.

E. Sapphire

• This is an area that Apple seems to care much about, with the camera and Touch ID both covered by sapphire. An iPhone 6 with sapphire cover for significant improvement in scratch resistance will be a good selling point for Apple.

F. Number of New Smartphones

1. Samsung is likely to continue with its strategy of covering all sizes (~5 to 6?) in all markets (from low end to high end).
2. Apple may begin to introduce two sizes of phones in its flagship line, with older generations migrating to plastic housing similar to what they did in morphing the iPhone 5 into the iPhone 5s.

G. Operating System

1. Google Maps’ and Google Now’s continued enhancements are where Google’s contributions will shine.
2. For Apple, Apple Maps and Siri may be where Apple is likely to focus on improving. Its 3D “flyover” maps will cover more global cities and perhaps also open up for third party applications, for games or tourist guide apps.