Larger Display, Better Durability

Why? iFans have been clamoring for a larger handset for some time now. The iPhone 5, now discontinued, did increase the size of the iPhone lineup, but it just made it taller, not wider. Watch for a 4.5" display which is both taller and wider this time around. Increased competition from Android handset makers Google, Motorola Mobility and Samsung has certainly upped the ante for Apple in the large smartphone arena.

Everyone loves the first time they unbox their new iPhone(s), but hate the first time they get distracted and drop the device. Corning Gorilla Glass has been a staple of the iPhone line's amazing scratch and fingerprint resistance. Sapphire glass produced by Apple itself may give Corning the boot. This extremely hard material already found its home in the 5s fingerprint scanner.

NFC

Near Field Communication offers loads of promise but so far Apple has avoided this technology unlike its Android rivals. NFC works like Bluetooth, albeit offering much more stability and less interference when in large crowds. NFC also has the futuristic ability of letting you get rid of your wallet forever. Just imagine checking out at the supermarket and having your phone automatically pay for the groceries. Your debit or checking account would be automatically charged thanks to NFC. Not all retailers have this functionality yet but change is coming.

Light Field Camera

Light Field Cameras offer the ability to just focus on composition, rather then focus. Remember Lytro, the makers of the world's first Light Field Camera? Didn't think so. They have largely stayed off of consumer's radar, yet their camera is seriously forward thinking. Just imagine having the ability to click the iPhone camera's shutter button and dealing with refocusing later on. Recent patents by Apple suggest that they are at least considering incorporating this tech into their products. So why not make a splash and include it on iPhone 6?

iOS 8

This should be no surprise considering that Apple always releases a new operating system alongside a new handset. Expect iOS 8 to retain the flat icons, vibrant colors and parallax feature that made iOS 7 a hit. Instead of major improvements expect many under the hood refinements such as better app management, faster on/off times and more fluid animations. Is it too much to ask though for true multitasking, where 2 or more apps can be shown side-by-side like the Galaxy S4? Also, a tabbed safari web browser would be wondrous, yet unlikely.