Tech fans always want to know what's next before anyone else. Here are the latest rumors and updates on Apple's next iPhone, which we can assume will be called the iPhone 6.

Release Date

The iPhone 6 is rumored to debut in late 2014. This would follow Apple's trend of releasing iPhones about one year apart. The iPhone 4s was released Oct. 2011, the iPhone 5 came Sept. 2012, the iPhone 5s and 5c were released Sept. 2013.

Bigger Curved Screen

It is likely that iPhone 6 will feature a larger screen size.

In June, Reuters reported that Apple was testing 4.7- and 5.7-inch displays. The Wall Street Journal seconded this rumor in July, and in November, Bloomberg said that the iPhone would release two new phones in 2014: one with a 4.7-inch screen, and another with a 5.5-inch screen. According to Mac Rumors, a screen as large as 5.7-inches is also in the rumor mill.

It is possible that a larger iPhone screen will lead to an increase in resolution. For example, according to Marco Arment, Instapaper developer, and Rene Ritchie, iMore Editor-in-Chief, if the iPhone 6 has a 4.94-inch screen, the pixel resolution could increase to 264-ppi, same as that of the iPad Air.

Bloomberg also reports that a bigger iPhone screen will feature glass that curves "downward at the edges."

Sapphire Glass

A popular rumor is that the iPhone 6's screen will feature sapphire glass, as CNBC reported that Apple made a $578 million deal with GT Advanced Technologies, which specializes in producing sapphire substrate. According to various analysts, however, an iPhone, or any other large smartphone enhanced with a sapphire glass screen, would be too expensive for anyone to be interested. The glass, however, could be used for smaller screens.

It is more likely that the sapphire glass will be used for the the iPhone 6's home button and camera or Apple's iWatch or iPods.

Processor

It is possible that Apple will upgrade their processor for the iPhone 6, but not much is known about any new technology. According to Mac Rumors, some suggest an A8 chip with a quad-core is Apple's next move.

iOS 8

Apple tends to launch a new iOS with the launch of its iPhones (see the release of iOS 7 with the launch of iPhone 5s and 5c). iOS 8 is rumored to have better Maps and a Siri API. Mac Rumors reports that development of the iOS 8 is still in its early stages.

Check out a popular video of a rumored iPhone 6 below:

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