Apple iPhone 5 facing threat from HTC myTouch 4G Slide?

iPhone 4 (left) and HTC myTouch 4G Slide — The smartphone competition for Apple Inc.'s iPhone 5 is getting thicker day-by-day as T-Mobile announced the launch of its latest 4G phone, the myTouch 4G Slide, which is an HTC product. Apple | T-Mobile

The next generation Apple iPhone, dubbed iPhone 5, could be released in September ( some rumors say mid-2012) but it already faces threat from HTC myTouch 4G Slide.

The myTouch 4G Slide offers support for T-Mobiles HSPA+ 4G network (as the name suggests). The myTouch 4G Slide boasts of impressive specs like Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS and HTC Sense 3.0, dual-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon, 3.7-inch WVGA display, 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, front-facing camera for video chat, SWYPE support, slide-out Qwerty keyboard and pre-installed Netflix software.

More details on myTouch 4G Slide are unavailable at the moment but T-Mobile promises that it is the new best-in-class smartphone that allows our customers to leave their cameras at home.

According to Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA, myTouch combines high-quality smartphone hardware with features that customers would expect from a top-of-the-line digital camera.

The myTouch 4G Slide is ideal for capturing that perfect moment with photos that rival high-end dedicated digital cameras, T-Mobile said.

The smartphone comes with an 8-megapixel camera with a dual LED flash and a host of advanced digital camera features, including the following:
> Improved low-light Performance: with a backside illuminated sensor and a wide aperture lens (f/2.2)
> Zero shutter lag: innovative software features allow for an instantaneous shot at that precise moment
> SweepShot™: for capturing panoramic shots by sweeping across an entire scene in a single motion
> ClearShot™ HDR: for capturing objects in bright settings so your photos are not affected by high-contrast lighting
> BurstShot™: for capturing multiple photos in a quick burst so you don’t miss the perfect photo

The myTouch 4G Slide is poised for release in July and will be available in 2 colors - black and khaki. It is expected to retail for $199.99 with a 2-year contract.

In comparison, iPhone 5 is also expected to come out with an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video playback and panaromic photo capture capability and an improved dual-LED flash unit but whether it will be able to beat myTouch 4G Slide's camera remains to be seen.

However, it doesn't mean iPhone 5's as good as dead.

According to the swirling waves of rumors, iPhone 5 is expected to boast of the following features:

> A5 processor in the range of 1.2-1.5 GHz
> Aluminum metal backing of the original iPhone instead of the current glass surface back piece
> A teardrop design, like the new iPod Touch, with the top being thick and then tapering to a skinnier bottom
> An improved antenna (no more Antennagate, yay!)
> More RAM, possibly 1GB
> Bigger-edge-to-edge 3.7- to 4-inch curved glass screen (iPhone 4 has 3.5-inch screen)
> A SIM-less design
> 3-4 internal antennas for both GSM and CDMA networks
> 4G connectivity
> iOS 5, which will be true multitask capable and come with loads of new features such as News Stand, Reminders, Delta Updates and iMessage
> Improved speech recognition features, and
> Wireless charging capability
> Better talktime and standy time
> Near Field Communication (NFC) technology
> Panoramic photo capabilities and 1080p Full HD videos
> Stronger gaming capabilities supported by multi-core A5 processor and Imagination Technologies' PowerVR Series6 mobile graphics processing architecture