4G LTE And NFC Reportedly Confirmed For Next iPhone, Final Production To Begin Within Six Weeks

The iPhone 5, as with every annual iPhone release, has generated quite a bit of hype among tech enthusiasts, and although the device was reported to be in production, BGR cites a "trusted source" in contradicting that notion.

According to its report, the next iPhone remains at what is referred to as the "engineering verification stage 3", which is the third revision phase of the engineering test stage. After EVT3, the device’s design will be put to measure in the "design verification test" phase, after which, it will go into mass production.

The report uses examples of past iPhones, including the Verizon iPhone 4, which arrived at EVT2 stage in the middle of November 2010, then EVT3 the last week of November, before reaching DVT2 in the closing stages of December.

Considering the huge public interest surrounding most Apple products, it’s quite easy to get carried away, and although most thought the so-called "iPhone 5" was indeed entering production, BGR is rather more reputable, so we’re inclined to believe its sources are slightly more trustworthy.

Despite production not yet having taken place, engineering samples, continues the report, may still be in existence, but production that final, retail version, has not yet started.

As well as details of manufacture, BGR’s report also "confirms" some of those elusive new hardware features. Hitherto, we’ve only really seen and heard what the device will look like aesthetically – packing a larger screen, longer, thinner form factor and re-jigged headphone jack. Apparently, Apple’s testing units pack 1GB of RAM, which is double that of the iPhone 4S, and indeed will feature 4G LTE radios.

97e0ec22cade11e1b2fe1231380205bf_7

Also on the confirmation list is NFC technology, although with most high-end devices from competing vendors including most, if not all of the above, the Cupertino company will need to beef up its hardware in order to keep up.

With Samsung coming on strong in terms of smartphone market share, this is the first real test of Apple’s resolve. The iPhone has enjoyed pure dominance since the very first device hit the market in 2007, but with rivaling devices now cheaper, selling in higher numbers, and in many cases, offering stronger hardware than the iPhone, the fruit company will certainly have a point to prove.

You can follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the web.