Apple iPhone 6 Rumors: Device Could Feature Curved Edges And All-Aluminum Rear Shell

Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) next-generation flagship smartphone, dubbed the iPhone 6, is rumored to feature rounded edges and a curved glass display, unlike the squared-off design of the current iPhone models, according to a new report, which also shared more leaked information about the upcoming smartphone.

Citing a “reliable source,” Mac Otakara, a Japanese website, reported on Wednesday that the iPhone 6’s new design would resemble the design of Samsung Electronics Co.’s (KRX:005935) Galaxy S3. The report also said that the new iPhone is not likely to have the dual glass-covered antenna window featured on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, and instead, the iPhone 6 could have an all-aluminum design. The Mac Otakara report compared the iPhone 6 design to an existing iPhone bumper made by Squair, a Japanese company.

While many recent reports have said that the iPhone 6 could feature slightly rounded edges, only a few reports have suggested that the handset could feature a curved glass display.

Bloomberg reported in December that Apple was working on two iPhone models with bigger curved displays for 2014. But, a report from the Wall Street Journal in January debunked that rumor saying that the iPhone maker would not be using a curved display for its next-generation smartphone.

According to ongoing rumors, Apple could release the iPhone 6 later this year in two different screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches. However, the larger version is said to ship later due to production issues with the device's display and battery.

Meanwhile, a report from GforGames said that Apple had commissioned Taiwan’s Catcher Technology Co. (TPE:2474) to produce nearly 10.5 million iPhone 6 metal casings -- an estimated fifteen percent of the total iPhone 6 orders -- by the end of this year. While Barclays said that Apple alone is said to account for about 40 percent of the company’s total revenue, Morgan Stanley said that Catcher could supply casings for 20 million iPhone units this year, including the iPhone 5s, AppleInsider reported.

Other rumored iPhone 6 features include a thinner, bezel-free design, a faster A8 processor, an improved Touch ID fingerprint sensor, an upgraded camera with optical image stabilization, iOS 8, improved Siri capabilities and a new "Healthbook" app.