Rumour: Next-Gen iPhone with Dual-Core CPU to be Launched in April

SEOUL, South Korea - After France, it is now the turn of the land of LCDs and uber-end smartphones – Korea – to speculate some details on the hardware specifications of the impending fourth-generation iPhone.

While dual-core CPU for the latest generation of iPhone has been known for a while, the latest leak from Korea Times points to the presence of an OLED screen, upgraded camera and removable battery on this upcoming iPhone. Further, the report also claims the fourth-generation iPhone OS will support video chat, a feature presently missing on the third-generation model.

As per the report in the publication, KT – the official carrier of the iPhone in South Korea, will be releasing Apple’s latest smartphone to domestic consumers as early as April this year, contrary to the iPhone update track record from the Cupertino company. Apple has always updated its best selling smartphone during summers, usually around June first in the US and then followed by other markets. But the report claims that KT and Apple are eager to launch the device earlier to combat the threat from Google’s Nexus One and Korean giants Samsung and LG’s smartphones.

Apple has always closely guarded its product launches, and as seen with the third-generation iPod Touch missing the camera when it was released, contrary to the widespread rumours suggesting the presence of camera on the portable music player. Further, the manufacturer has always been against replaceable batteries, as seen with its iPods, the present crop of iPhones and Macbooks, concentrating on making long-lasting built-in batteries for its best selling devices. Thus, the present rumour should be taken with a pinch of salt and while the OLED screen and dual-core CPUs are pointing in the right direction, removable batteries seem out of place, as seen from the track record of Apple.

Whether Apple is indeed moving towards replaceable batteries is something only the company can answer as and when the fourth-generation iPhone is announced later this year.