Apple Inc. has issued invites for an Oct. 4 event that will showcase the hyped fifth generation iPhone, which has these features: an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD recording, near field communication chip, a 1 GHz dual-core processor that's used for the iPad2, 1 GB RAM, a large 4-inch screen, a sleeker form factor, improved battery life, and 4G capability.

But don't current models from rivals Motorola Mobility, HTC and Samsung already have those features? The Samsung Galaxy S2 has offers more internet speed using the Long Term Evolution network, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, and an impressive 4.5-inch HD Super AMOLED display.

Yes, specs and features-wise, people that already own the Samsung Galaxy S 2 will not find anything superior with the iPhone 5.
But given the Apple's brand, brilliant marketing, and ability to make everything look pretty, the iPhone 5 will likely have record sales. Apple expects to sell at least 25 million iPhone 5 units in the next three months (in comparison, Samsung's best-seller, the Galaxy S2, sold 10 million in five months).

Even tech sites and news agencies, citing anonymous suppliers or insiders, have been talking about an iPhone 4s, instead of the iPhone 5. Given that the new iPhone won't have significant improvements, and will only have features that are already found in many Android devices, it's no wonder why everyone is getting confused. And note that there have been reports that Apple was struggling to get past component and manufacturing issues with the iPhone 5, raising speculations that it might be just a cheap version of the iPhone 4 powered by a new operating system that's being launched next month.

What will give the iPhone 5 a new look is IOS5. But you can still use your iPhone 4 (and avoid paying huge early termination fees) to have the 200 improvements provided by iOS5. Major features include notifications, wireless syncing, better mail, integration with Twitter, and a reminders function. But is it really the most advanced operating system the world has ever seen?

The iPhone revolutionized the smartphone industry. But that was in 2007, when the first iPhone was released. Now, Apple is trailing and trying to keep up with rivals.

But then, while iPhone 5 holds fort, post-Steve Jobs stage Apple could live up to its reputation -- and its $370 billion market value -- when it releases the iPhone 6.

Apple is said to be putting quad-core processors for next year's iPhone and tablet. According to Ars Technica, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company has embedded support for quad-core chips in source code revealed in its Xcode developer tool. The iPhone 6 aims to have desktop-like performance in order to ward off Android rivals, which are expected to get a power boost with Nvidia's quad-core Kal-El chips. Aside from that, the next big thing would a screen made of curved glass for the iPhone 6. According to Digitimes, citing sources in the glass industry, Apple's design team is working on a new iOS device with a curved glass screen. There were rumors earlier that Apple has been purchasing glass-cutting machines that specialize in curve screens.

And a year before that, we'll have to content ourselves with Apple's "Let's talk iPhone" invite for next week. The new iPhone 5 won't likely have the under-the-hood and aesthetic improvements that would please critics. Although a little late, the iPhone 5 will be like one expensive action movie for the summer -- notwithstanding the bad reviews, it will shatter all records.

ALSO READ If iPhone 5 Release Date Postponed, Is Samsung to Blame?