News & Reviews:   Apple iPhone

Rumours regarding future smartphones never seem to stop, but renders regarding smartphone concepts are few and far in between. Quite often, what is shown in the renders are very close to what appears in the finished smartphone product which is why many were surprised with this latest concept video regarding the Apple iPhone 6. Changes regarding this future smartphone as envisioned by this concept include:

• A Smaller iPhone design
• A bigger 4.5-inch screen
• Narrower bezels
• No Home Button

Previously Apple was quite reliant on Samsung for a number of components not least of which being their iPad and iPhone screens as well as their processor chips. Since Samsung is now their biggest competitor, both in the smartphone as well as the tablet market, it seems prudent that Apple distance themselves and they have apparently done so. Recently Apple decided to use screens from Innolux Corp for its iPad mini touchscreens. While Samsung was originally the one to sever this contract with Apple, it is a telling sign of things to come.

By now you should have known that Maxis 4G LTE is fully compatible with your Apple iPhone 5 and certain iPad models. To activate your LTE settings just do the following steps:

1. Get your Carrier Update

• Download the latest iOS (6.1.3 or higher). To update to the latest iOS tap Settings > General > Software Update.
• Start the update. Tap Settings > General > About > Update.
• Reboot the device. Make sure the Carrier is Maxis 14.1.

oncept renders often reveal new possible models, and these new concept images of the Apple iPhone may just reveal two brand new models, mainly the rumoured cheap Apple iPhone and the new Apple iPhone 5S. In a side by side comparison with the Apple iPhone, the red coloured version looks like it was made with plastic marking it as the possible cheaper Apple iPhone.

Maxis recently confirmed what many Apple iPhone 5 and some iPad users in Malaysia are now finding out. Those who were on the Maxis 4G LTE plans now have LTE speeds for their devices. Maxis officially confirmed this recently along with an update of their new LTE coverage areas as shown below:

When the HTC One went for an aluminum unibody (ala Apple iPhone) it upped the prestige level for Android smartphones around the world. Nokia's Windows Phone powered smartphones are looking to get the same aluminum unibody treatment with the Nokia Catwalk and the Nokia Lumia 928.

Maxis is just dropping prices for their various bundled devices. This time around it is their Samsung Galaxy S III Mini which used to go for RM399 under their TalkMore48 + 1GB data plan. Now, in a move that will make those who don't call or SMS that much very happy, the Samsung Galaxy S III Mini is available with the Maxis TalkMore28 or TextMore28 from RM76 a month (the original site may say as low as RM56 but this applies to the HTC Desire C with 200MB Mobile Internet Plan). The fineprint for this deal is that the Samsung Galaxy S III Mini is only available under a 24 month contract and new subscribers have to pay an advance payment of RM500. Existing Maxis customers who have been using Maxis Postpaid plans for more than a year don't have to pay this advance payment.

A few days back we talked about possible features of the Apple iPhone 5S (and other future Apple iPhones). One of the main rumours that we brought up involved a curved wraparound display. At the time of writing, the pictures available were figures used within the patent filing, however, recently photos of a possible Apple iPhone 5S prototype with almost exactly the same curved looking screen have surfaced.

Great Design, Drops Better than the iPhone 5

While the HTC One managed to beat out Apple's iPhone 5 in drop tests recently it should be noted that it is a lot harder to repair. The HTC One recently got a teardown at iFixit (a site which takes apart smartphones and tries to put them back together). In that particular iFixit teardown, the HTC One is the only smartphone to get a repairability score of 1/10, which means it is next to impossible to repair (the Apple iPhone 5 has an iFixit repairability score of 7/10). Tearing down the HTC One the folks at iFixit found:

• Most of the components are covered with copper tape for shielding which when removed looks like used aluminum foil (almost impossible to fix back)
• The battery is attached to the midframe and covered by the motherboard, making it very difficult to replace.
• To replace the display you have to remove the rear case which may require taking apart the entire HTC One.

In a move that will make some people who have always wanted an Apple iPhone very happy, Maxis is now offering the Apple iPhone 4 (8GB) for FREE with their TalkMore48 plan and a 1GB data plan. In effect it means that all you're really paying for are the TalkMore48+1GB data plan bundle. You will have to sign up for a 24 months contract though. Like other Maxis TalkMore48 bundle promotions you'll have to pay RM96 (RM48 + RM48) per month.