Alleged 'iPhone 6' NFC chip and working hardware shown in latest leaks
A series of photos of a component that appears to be a logic board bound for Apple's next-generation iPhone appeared Friday, bearing a small chip -- said to be an NFC controller from NXP -- that professes to confirm the feature's presence in the so-called "iPhone 6." In addition, a new video of assembled parts seems to show a fully functional unit, though it won't boot past the "Connect to iTunes" screen.
The chip does not sport a manufacturer's name or mark. Instead, it bears only identification code "NSD425" alongside miscellaneous other numbers, likely batch identifiers, according to the photos published by blogger Sonny Dickson.
No such chip can be found among NXP's offerings, but Apple often works with silicon vendors to produce bespoke components. The Dutch firm was named late Thursday by the Financial Times as the supplier of Apple's NFC hardware.
Also present is a chip that seems to be Apple's "A8" processor. The package is noticeably smaller than its predecessor, the A7, allowing for a more tightly-packed logic board.
Other identifiable chips on the board are two Avago RF modules -- Avago is a longtime supplier of such chips for Apple -- and a Toshiba NAND module.
Separately, Feld & Volk posted a new video on Friday with a purported "iPhone 6" assembled from parts the company obtained. The video shows their attempts to turn on the device, being greeted with the "Connect to iTunes" screen and unable to boot further.
The screen shows Apple's current iTunes for OS X Mavericks logo, rather than the new red logo found in OS X Yosemite. If what the video shows is indeed legitimate, it would suggest that the hardware has an older version of iOS 8 installed, as the latest beta updated the "Connect to iTunes" screen to display the OS X Yosemite logo for the iTunes desktop suite.
Apple is expected to either confirm or deny all of the details on its forthcoming handset at a media event in Cupertino on Sept. 9. AppleInsider will be at the event and will bring live coverage from inside the theatre.
The chip does not sport a manufacturer's name or mark. Instead, it bears only identification code "NSD425" alongside miscellaneous other numbers, likely batch identifiers, according to the photos published by blogger Sonny Dickson.
No such chip can be found among NXP's offerings, but Apple often works with silicon vendors to produce bespoke components. The Dutch firm was named late Thursday by the Financial Times as the supplier of Apple's NFC hardware.
Also present is a chip that seems to be Apple's "A8" processor. The package is noticeably smaller than its predecessor, the A7, allowing for a more tightly-packed logic board.
Other identifiable chips on the board are two Avago RF modules -- Avago is a longtime supplier of such chips for Apple -- and a Toshiba NAND module.
Separately, Feld & Volk posted a new video on Friday with a purported "iPhone 6" assembled from parts the company obtained. The video shows their attempts to turn on the device, being greeted with the "Connect to iTunes" screen and unable to boot further.
The screen shows Apple's current iTunes for OS X Mavericks logo, rather than the new red logo found in OS X Yosemite. If what the video shows is indeed legitimate, it would suggest that the hardware has an older version of iOS 8 installed, as the latest beta updated the "Connect to iTunes" screen to display the OS X Yosemite logo for the iTunes desktop suite.
Apple is expected to either confirm or deny all of the details on its forthcoming handset at a media event in Cupertino on Sept. 9. AppleInsider will be at the event and will bring live coverage from inside the theatre.
Comments
That is one sexy piece of kit. I absolutely love the front of it. Slightly curved glass at the edges–all the way to the edges–and then the Home Button beginning to blend into the face.
And a good thing, too. It’d phone home and whoever this is would be arrested.
Seems odd that the representation of colors on the screen would be so different between the models. Maybe one just had its backlight turned down.
Speaking of Simpsons references, “Ralph” as in the kid who drinks paste? Take your FUD and shove it.
You have short memory. This is still an Apple look, regardless if Samsung copied it.
In any case, I'm sure they will use whatever is most advantageous for them to use.
Speaking of Simpsons references, “Ralph” as in the kid who drinks paste? Take your FUD and shove it.
I was being sarcastic. I was trying pre-empt all the "why those ugly bands" and "the phone isn't flat" comments.
I forgot to write /s.
(remaining skeptical)
I was being sarcastic. I forgot to write /s.
Apologies, then. Do try to remember it next time; we get an awful lot of people who believe (“believe”) the strangest things. ????
Same way they released the iPod touch with a protruding lens. If it means better image quality than it would have otherwise had, there’s no reason to complain. You don’t complain that your camera has a protruding lens! I’d have been fine had they just made the entire thing thicker to compensate for the laws of physics, but I’m used to an iPhone 0.46” thick.
Seems odd that the representation of colors on the screen would be so different between the models. Maybe one just had its backlight turned down.
I haven't really kept track of what I've read as rumors and what I've read as user wishes... somewhere in there "brighter screen" came up. Maybe this is it?
Hmm. I don’t like that it would modify the color, though.
Umm, doesn't the chip have an 'NXP' on the left hand side, reading upwards?
MacRumors has a story claiming the A8 chip for the new iPhone only has 1GB RAM. Is it really that expensive to bump it up to 2GB?
That would be very disappointing but I think the main reason they don't promptly increase memory size is because the bigger the memory the more it consumes power.
"The chip does not sport a manufacturer's name or mark."
Umm, doesn't the chip have an 'NXP' on the left hand side, reading upwards?
Haha. It certainly does. Good catch. How did AppleInsider miss that?!!!
Like or dislike. There is one thing you need to remember. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY IT.
I buy the newest every year and if they make two iPhone sizes, I will own both.
I highly doubt Apple would release this without a flush lens.
As well as the ugly rubber looking "seams"? Will this be waterproof? Are they seals? Surely they could design it better for that.
IT’S. A. PHONE. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten the false antenna debacle.
Actually, yes I do [have to buy it].
But I won't be buying two sizes simultaneously. Seems a bit, how shall I say, unnecessary. Seems more pragmatic to make an actual decision and move on. I don't think I want to emulate Steve Wozniac, who carries 10 phones because he thinks they are all "pretty".
Sorry, I just can't see how they will release this device with a protruding lens.
(remaining skeptical)
I will honestly say that I haven't messed with any of those iPhone external lenses that are available out there, but would the protruding lens better enable a host of external lenses that can better align by 'clicking' over the small extrusion and maybe magnetically stay in place? Could this be a reason for the protruding?