Apple launched its iPhone 4 in June 2010 and current reports affirm that the next version of the device the iPhone 5 is due this June.

The industry is abuzz with reports of next generation features that the new iPhone will don. Key assumptions include a new processor, a larger display, NFC support and possibly a sliding cover.

Apple Insider reported citing tw.apple.pro that a photo of a part claimed to be from iPhone 5 appears to be a 30-pin dock connector cable and a ribbon used to attach it to the handset. The report also claims that Apple is working on an iPhone with a sliding cover.

CNET reported that iDealsChina posted a picture which it claims is the front bezel or digitizer panel of iPhone 5 and the picture seems to suggest that the display is larger. Reports have been swirling that Apple will launch the next iPhone with a 4-inch display.

However, much fodder for assumption will tumble out when Apple releases its iPad 2 on Wednesday. Apple launched its iPad in April last year and the processor used in the tablet wound its way into the iPhone. It is expected that iPad 2 will run on SoC the A5, a dual-core Cortex-A9 chip design. It is also reported that the iPad2 processor will be employing the SGX543 graphics support. The current iPad uses SGX535 graphics support. This addition will bring 1080p video capability to iPad 2. Thus, the very same processor maybe used to power the iPhone 5.

Also it is surmised that iPhone 5 will pack in 3D support and NFC features. Android 2.3 brought NFC capability to limelight when it launched its next upgraded version of Android the Gingerbread.

Though assumptions about the feature that iPhone 5 will pack will continue the best point of reference could be the competition. iPhone 5 will compete with Android 2.2 phones like Motorola Atrix, Samsung Galaxy 2, Droid Bionic,HTC Thunderbolt and Kyocera Echo. Phones that sport killer specifications and point-of-disparity that iPhone will have to match like the docking support that Atrix offers.

Here is a list of top five Android phones that iPhone 5 will have to contend with:

Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung stole the show at the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona with its Samsung Galaxy S II. The phone brings the goodness of Android 2.3 or Gingerbread on 4.3-inch display with a screen resolution of 800x480. It is powered by a Samsung Dual Core processor. It comes in 16GB and 32GB internal memory configuration and 1GB RAM. Galaxy S II sports an 8MP rear-facing and 2MP front-facing camera. The phone is reported to weigh about 4.9 oz and is about 8.49mm thick thus making it one of the thinnest smartphone around. It also features the 4.3-inch display which makes it rather unfriendly when it comes to placing it in smaller pockets. Samsung
Kyocera Echo
The dual-screen phone crafted by Kyocera Communications sports two 3.5-inch displays which can be used as separate screens or alongside each other or can be combined to offer an integrated screen. Once the screens are combined, it turns into a 4.7-inch display with 960x800 screen resolution. The phone uses a pivot-hinge which allows the dual-screen to be used in various formats. The phone is powered by Snapdragon 1GHz chip and runs on Android 2.2. It offers a screen resolution of 800x480 in the non-tablet mode. It offers 8GB microSD card and is reported to have 1GB internal memory. It also offers a 5 MP rear-facing camera. It also offers spare 1370mAh battery with a charging cradle. The cradle can also tether the spare battery to Echo as an external power supply. Kyocera
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