Next-Gen iPhone coming July 17th?

A source said to be "closely connected to Apple's hardware development team" has disclosed a list of specifications and changes said to apply to the next generation Apple iPhone, together with a release date.  According to their information, the new iPhone will arrive on July 17th, and double the capacity of the current iPhone 3G to 16GB and 32GB while maintaining the same price-points.  Meanwhile the camera will get a bump from 2-megapixels to 3.2-megapixels, and the screen will switch from LCD to OLED.

Full list of rumored changes after the cut

Other changes said to be coming with the third-generation iPhone are an integrated compass and video recording/editing functionality, both features we've seen rumors regarding before now.  Most of the items on the list are purely evolutionary changes, suggesting either that Apple are focusing more on the iPhone OS 3.0 than they are superlative hardware, or that the source is compiling their predictions from existing rumors.

OLED, for instance, while boosting battery life (said to be 1.5x longer than the current iPhone 3G) may be a tricky component to bring in without changing the prices.  The current expectation is that Apple will announce the new iPhone at their WWDC 2009 keynote early next month. 

  • 32GB and 16GB storage (up from the current 16GB and 8GB models)
  • $199 and $299 price points to be maintained
  • 3.2-megapixel camera (up from the current 2-megapixel camera)
  • Video-recording and editing capabilities
  • Ability to send a picture & video via MMS
  • Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device
  • OLED screen
  • 1.5 times the battery life of the current models
  • Double the RAM and processing power
  • Built-in FM transmitter
  • Apple logo on back will glow
  • Rubber-tread backing
  • Sleeker design
  • Built-in compass
  • The camera, GPS, compass and Google map combined will identify photo and inform about photo locations
  • Turn-by-turn directions
  • [via Wired Gadget Lab; image via MacRumors]