New iPhone parts begin shipping from suppliers for June launch?

At this point there's little doubt that a new iPhone model (possibly two) will at least be announced in June. Now the Commercial Times have chimed in with a report saying that components from Taiwan-based suppliers have begun shipments as Apple (or its China-based assemblers, rather) readies for a "June launch" pegged by said suppliers to reach about 2-3 million units per quarter. A phone that looks to be fitted with a 3.2 megapixel still / video CMOS camera, digital compass (magnetometer), possibly 802.11n WiFi, more storage, and all the MMS, copy/paste, and push-notifications you can shake a gesticulating finger at. Assuming all the firmware sleuthing and rumors are true, of course.

[David @ Apr 8th 2009 6:35AM]

I can't believe they'd restrict it to a 3.2Mb camera given it's pro media marketing concepts.

[AHAHAHAHA!!! @ Apr 8th 2009 7:55AM]

Apple was too busy putting in place measures to stop Hacktivations and Jailbreaking to worry about something meaningless as camera quality...

I have here with me 2 BNIB 1st gen iPhones... Time to sell one for $500 USD

FACK YOU APPLE!

[lostarchitect @ Apr 8th 2009 11:00AM]

3.2 mp will be fine, if the lens is decent. it's not a camera, it's a smartphone.

[Quantumphysics @ Apr 8th 2009 12:32PM]

I can't argue with Apple's business strategies. I hate 60% of the stuff they do yet they are WAY ahead of everyone else in both popularity and stock performance.

I'd love to see their strategy flow charts.

They release a new OS built into new hardware that does work for old hardware, but, everyone is psychological goaded into an upgrade to the new hardware cause the old hardware just "seems like less".

[Samboini @ Apr 8th 2009 3:47PM]

Even worse is a lack of expandable memory. That would be killer.

[Tin @ Apr 8th 2009 6:31PM]

I just have to repeat myself,

People that wants more mega pixels are just clueless. 2 mega pixels is more than enough. If you think your camera can do better because it shoots 3, 5 mega pixels, I'll tell you that if a Nikon D3 can shoot only 0.5 mega pixels, it will still be 100 times better than your 5 mega pixels image from your camera phone, it is the LENS THAT MATTER.

[joe blow @ Apr 8th 2009 10:10PM]

Rather have a xenon flash than more megapixels.

[Thomas @ Apr 9th 2009 4:08AM]

The Lens on a camera is important; however, the CCD chip really judges the quality of those many pixels.

[Uber geek of the day @ Apr 8th 2009 6:36AM]

Fine you?
Just wondering why 3.2megapixel? I am not saying go 12megapixel (even though that would be nice).
Are they using recycled 3.2megapixel lens from the mobile phone manufacturer who have moved on to better resolutions?

I know, I know... even if it was 1megapixel people would still buy the upgraded iphone when it comes out.

[lurch_mojoff @ Apr 10th 2009 4:44AM]

Most likely because 3.2 megapixel is the highest resolution sensor that fits the volume and processing power requirements. You'd notice that higher resolution camera phones are bulkier (as result of both bigger sensor and bigger optics package) and most have a dedicated image processing IC in order to shave some of the additional power required to efficiently work with higher volumes of data.

[Kizorblade @ Apr 8th 2009 8:35AM]

/Sigh

Lens ≠ Sensor
More MP ≠ Better image

Otherwise you'd see professionals using those point and shoot stuff when out in the field.

[Peza @ Apr 8th 2009 8:51AM]

3.2 MP is enough as long as the other specs of the camera are good.

[Joe @ Apr 8th 2009 5:16PM]

Yeah enough with the megapixel debate please. It's getting as tiring as "but will it play" etc etc.

[auricom @ Apr 8th 2009 8:40PM]

but will it play DOOM?


etc.

[Dave Van den Eynde @ Apr 9th 2009 9:48AM]

Ah, but I HAVE seen Pro's using point-and-shoots.

[Travis Helms @ Apr 8th 2009 6:37AM]

What about the processor? Does it feature the rumored upgrade?

[Markarian @ Apr 8th 2009 2:24PM]

I don't think the new iPhone will include any upgrades to the processor and RAM. For one, the current iPhones both have ARM processors that are clocked /down/ to save battery life. Regardless of how innovative and clever Apple is, they can't change the state of the art with a snap of a finger. Currently, we use Lithium-Ion batteries, and everything else is just experimental. Any increase in processor power would see a decrease in battery life that could only be remedied by making the phone larger to accommodate a larger battery. Using a different processor architechture (Like the Intel Atom) would require a full re-write of every App out there, not to mention the entire iPhone OS.

Secondly, Apple's marketing campaigns are very simplistic. Most people don't look at their phones (or even their smartphones) like a PC in terms of RAM and processor speed. It'd be hard for one of those Apple commercials to say "Meet iPhone three, now with twice the RAM and a new processor to handle multi-tasking." It's going to confuse people and seriously alienate their installed base. They may try and market video capture as requiring the new CPU, but the tech press will be quick to make the outcry that it's a sham.

I predict that, besides the new camera and magnetometer, the major upgrades to the iPhone will be mostly in the capacity department. The iPhones will come in 16 and 32 only now. I think the iPhone 3 will be like the iPod Classic was, same form factor, a needless upgrade without bringing much new to the table simply to keep their lineup fresh.

[Alex Terry @ Apr 8th 2009 6:47AM]

Processor is the make or break really.

Once multi apps is available I want to be able to have more than just two on the go!

[Ryan @ Apr 8th 2009 7:39AM]

I agree with your statement.

[MIA @ Apr 8th 2009 10:59AM]

this thing better have one hell of a battery too

[Quantumphysics @ Apr 8th 2009 12:41PM]

I'm dissapointed I can't leave my Aol IM on all day without it not staying connected. Also, I want to be able to leavemy iMOB running (123751495)

Multitasking and video capture would be cool, but I don't think Apple will be satisfied until you can make and edit video on the iPhone on a basic level.

[ohforfucksake @ Apr 8th 2009 3:24PM]

There is a lot of talk about multi task apps, I got an iPhone 3g recently and it only just manages a days worth of operation on full charge as it is. For multi apps to be running this things gonna have to get considerably larger battery as the current set up 'aint gonna cope :(

[Xstream @ Apr 8th 2009 6:48AM]

fit it with 128gb of flash memory and most important a proper 800x480 screen and i will consider buying it

[Patriks7 @ Apr 8th 2009 11:03AM]

And jack the price up to 1k subsidized? Yeah, right.

[Xstream @ Apr 8th 2009 11:46AM]

1. what do you think does it cost to make these devices? the price is so high because it is good for apple
2. look at the htc devices they all got vga or wvga
3. i dont care so much for the price as long as it has the features i want

[kepone @ Apr 8th 2009 1:06PM]

You're wrong- these phones cost so much because they cost a lot to build. Sure there is always profit, but not as much as you think. Have you actually looked at how much even the cheapest 128gb SSD drive costs? How about one that would fit in an iphone? 128gb is more than Netbooks come with, more than really most SSD laptops as a whole come with. If apple wants to stay on top they need to put a hold on the price point, no more than $500 unsubsidized, 200-300 subsidized. 8/16/32gb is more than enough space for a phone

[jer.miller @ Apr 8th 2009 6:50AM]

3.2 megapixel is plenty for a phone. Improving the quality of the lens, autofocus and adding a flash would make a bigger improvement to picture quality then adding resolution, which i hope they do cause it currently sucks

[Kelmon @ Apr 8th 2009 7:45AM]

Huzzah - a voice of sanity. Indeed, who cares really what the bloody megapixels of the camera is as long as it takes a reasonable picture. If the image is clear and not a noisy mess then I'll be happy.

[dssfd @ Apr 8th 2009 6:51AM]

Couldn't care less about 'camera' and compass, but really hope for some RAM upgrade - Safari is painful to look at with just two tabs open, and any 'multitasking' via jailbreak just slows poor thing to a crawl..
Either this, or add a gig of really fast flash and make it a pagefile.

[Alex Terry @ Apr 8th 2009 8:06AM]

You soooo should care about the compass!! Have you seen google street view on an G1??? So awesome how it literally tracks what you are seeing but shows you the view from the street view car. VVVVVVV clever.

[Hamidxa @ Apr 8th 2009 10:27AM]

That's why Apple are feeding you guys with lame excuses about multi-tasking not being necessary.

It's because the iPhone is currently too weak to pull it off.

128 MB of RAM and a downclocked processor won't cut it.

/returns to Touch Pro on Mighty ROM with 288 MB of RAM and 533 MHz dual core processors

[poke @ Apr 8th 2009 12:19PM]

LOL @ Hamidxa

Did the iPhone do something to you? On a personal crusade.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a Touch Diamond user - love it and understand its flaws.

[FoxKenji @ Apr 9th 2009 1:15AM]

@ Poke,

You'll have to excuse Hamidxa, he IS in fact on a personal crusade. He quit his job selling hot dogs and has made it his goal to spend all day looking for Apple posts on Engadget so he can go in and spread the iHate. Take a look at his posts. Every time you read a Mac or iPhone post you'll find him there, bashing, without fail.

[Jonathan @ Apr 8th 2009 6:52AM]

More storage?... you paying attention Palm?

Bump the Pre's storage or give us expanded memory.

[Peza @ Apr 8th 2009 8:46AM]

Yeah it is really funny that so many people are demanding a 32GB iPhone and are on the other side hyping the Palm Pre with its maximum storage of 8GB

[ScootScoot @ Apr 9th 2009 12:22AM]

But people are praising the N97 for its ridiculous capacity AND microSD support...

[avi_wizard @ Apr 8th 2009 11:39AM]

I wonder if there will be a flash for the camera...

[Avinash @ Apr 8th 2009 6:53AM]

I wonder if there will be a flash for the camera...

[Osiris @ Apr 8th 2009 6:57AM]

I want BATTERY LIFEEE
Maybe even a replaceable battery? Is it much to ask for?

[Greg @ Apr 8th 2009 7:56AM]

Yes... You're a very greedy man, I mean what is the removable battery you speak of? BURN THE WITCH!

[digitallysick @ Apr 8th 2009 7:01AM]

They can't be serious about 3.2 megapixels , while its better than before thats still horrible for a multi media phone. Why not keep the 802.11G and up the camera to 5megapixels at least with video recording

[Kizorblade @ Apr 8th 2009 8:38AM]

The amount of megapixels does not equal a better image.

[zephxiii @ Apr 8th 2009 1:19PM]

@Kizorblade, Damn right!

[insky @ Apr 8th 2009 3:13PM]

Yes the amount of megapixels does not make a better image...unless you have enough megapixels to make a decent image to begin with. The whole argument you guys are making doesn't apply at 2 or 3.2 megapixels. It's when you get into 8 or 10 megapixels that quality changes. At 10 megapixels a better lens will make more of a difference than a couple more megapixels.

In case I wasn't redundant enough; megapixels.

[Tin @ Apr 8th 2009 6:45PM]

@insky

Not true. The tens years old Nikon D1, which has 2.7 Mega pixels is still going to produce better picture than most recent point and shoot with 10 mega pixels or more, and definitely better than any camera phone or any mega pixels.

[Tin @ Apr 9th 2009 12:36PM]

If you think mega pixels matter, tell me if any camera phone can produce an image like this 0.2 mega pixels photo from a ten years old camera.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackbeardben/2581927708/

[insky @ Apr 9th 2009 12:25AM]

Yes I understand that as well, but you're never going to be able to fit an SLR lens on a cell phone. Putting on a 5 megapixel sensor, flash and slightly better lens will give you better image quality easier (and be easier to carry around) than putting on the best lens available for cell phones.

[FoxKenji @ Apr 9th 2009 1:23AM]

@ insky,

Yeah that's the thing though. The more pixels you squeeze in a sensor the higher noise ratio you get. No good. Now, consider the eraser tip/pinhole sensor that space constrains only allow on mobile phones. They just don't have enough space for a physically larger sensor. So small sensor crammed with more pixels will end up with terribly noisy images so no point.

But ultimately, it's the photographer that makes the image, not the camera. It's the painter, not the paint. Yes?

[Mike @ Apr 8th 2009 7:09AM]

What about tethering???? Why oh why is everything possible with every other damn phone impossible with THIS one?!?!

[oAmadeuso @ Apr 8th 2009 8:36AM]

It's the operators that try to block tethering IIRC.

On that note I have my iTouch tethered to my E90.