Hardware details of the next iPhone (N41AP / iPhone5,1) and more on the new Maps app

Seth Weintraub | May 31 2012 - 9:12 am PT

We have already laid out a lot about the next iPhone. Its 1,136-by-640 display. Its totally redesigned back plate and unibody construction. But what will it have under the hood? 9to5Mac delved deep into a beta version of iOS 6 to find out…

The iPhone running iOS 6 boasts Darwin Kernel Version 13.0.0. We can also see that the processor is an ARM S5L8950X.

Darwin Kernel Version 13.0.0: XXX May XX XX:XX:XX PDT 2012; root:xnu-21XX.X.XXX/DEVELOPMENT_ARM_S5L8950X

Interestingly, that is a full release above the most current developer version of MAC OS 10.8 Mountain Lion. The XNU build is also higher (21XX vs 2050.5.8):

Darwin Kernel Version 12.0.0: Tue May 8 17:30:17 PDT 2012; root:xnu-2050.5.8~1/RELEASE_X86_64 x86_64

The Samsung 5L8950X ARM processor is most likely manufactured at the same fab in Austin where Apple’s other Ax processors are built. The S5L8950X is a step up from the S5L8940X on the previous iPhone and the S5L8945X on the ‘new’ iPad but we’re not sure what that means in terms of cores, processor speed or fab size. We’d place our money on a low power dual core processor similar to the new iPad 2 on Samsung’s 32nm fab.

The processor is known internally at Apple as the “A5-***” (the last three characters were removed to protect our source). This will most likely not be the final name. However, it seems probable that the processor will continue carrying the “A5” name and will not step up to the “A6” nomenclature—but that is far from certain.

As for GPU, the new iPhone also features something entirely new. The GPU chip, which will continue to be part of the SoC, is called “SGX543RC*” (the asterisk is another sensitive number that could identify people working on the device). This GPU technically does not exist yet and we don’t have specs.

The next iPhone will now have 1GB of RAM, which seems to do well for the new iPad.

This unit runs 6.0 seed 10A33X with iBoot version iBoot-153x.x (iOS 5.* has an iBoot version of iBoot-12xx.x.x, depending on the device and version).

It is also interesting that some prototypes of this device use the older Qualcomm Baseband chips. This unit uses the same type of Qualcomm baseband found in the cellular-enabled ‘new’ iPad 4G units. Our source indicated this might be because he/she does not need access to any new baseband that they might use. Moreover, the battery life is not a concern, because this unit must always stay plugged-in. We expect the final N41AP / iPhone5,1 to carry the latest Gobi chips. These chips should allow low-power voice/data on a variety of mobile networks, including China Mobile’s TD-LTE.

We are told Apple is far along in its iOS 6 development, so an October new iPhone deadline should be relatively easy—barring any unforeseen chip, part shortages/labor outages, etc. So ‘easy’, in fact, that an earlier release is possible.

Finally, there is more clarification on the new iOS Maps app that is abandoning Google for Apple’s own tiles. We have an early/redacted screenshot that will likely undergo many changes (fonts, etc.) before it gets real:

You will note that contrary to the previous report, the GPS/Compass icon on the iPhone is not connected to a 3D icon. We were told that in the iPhone version of Maps, the 3D button is now under the bottom right scroll/menu to avoid accidentally hitting the wrong button. With that said, 3D maps are something used more on the iPad than an iPhone, which is often used for directions. Also, the buttons are bigger on the iPad making it easier not to accidentally hit the wrong button.

We have a lot more information that will come over the next two weeks including an entirely new iOS app from Apple. So, stay tuned!