Dual-Core CPU Would Grab Attention

 

5. A better antenna

When the iPhone 4 launched, owners holding the device in what was called a "death grip" lost antenna strength. Following the outcry that resulted from that, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said it was an issue for all smartphones. What better way to break new ground in the smartphone space than to offer a device that doesn't suffer from that issue?

6. That end-to-end display

Rumors surrounding the iPhone 5 suggest Apple might be unveiling a device that will have a full edge-to-edge display. If that's the case, it would break new ground in the smartphone market. Currently, smartphones have a bezel around their displays. If Apple can deliver something that maximizes the iPhone's usable space, it would force all other smartphone makers to follow suit.

7. A benchmark-setting screen size

Apple's iPhone 4 currently has a 3.5-inch display, putting it toward the middle of the pack in the smartphone space. Other devices, like the Motorola Droid X, come with a 4.3-inch display. If Apple does offer an edge-to-edge display, it should make the screen bigger than competing devices-say, 5 inches. At that point, Apple can make its top competitors' offerings look awfully small in comparison.

8. An even slimmer design

One of the nice things about the iPad 2 is that it's much smaller than its predecessor. Its slim design makes it easy to carry around and throw into a purse or bag. Though the iPhone 4 is already a small, slim device, Apple should find a way to make the iPhone 5 even slimmer. If the company can continue to push the envelope on size and thinness, it could present a major new challenge for competitors to keep up.

9. Flash support

There would be nothing more groundbreaking than Apple's addition of Flash support in the iPhone 5. Granted, such an addition would need to be made in iOS 5, but what if the company announced that functionality with the iPhone 5? Not only would it end a long battle between Apple and Adobe, but it would also offer iPhone 5 owners the opportunity to get more out of their Web-browsing experience than they do now.

10. A dual-core processor

Though other companies have already released dual-core smartphones, having such a processor built into the iPhone 5 would be an important addition for Apple's smartphone. The iPhone 4 is quite fast now, but its dual-core-based competitors offer better performance. If Apple brings the same dual-core processor running in the iPad 2 to the iPhone 5, the company will be able to match competitors that have been capitalizing on their advantage for quite some time.