Apple iPhone Release Date Countdown: Six Smartphones that Could Beat the Apple iPhone 5

As Apple's iPhone unveiling draws ever closer, despite the lack of any solid information regarding the device, analysts and the world's media have already begun to speculate which future smartphones could mount a significant challenge to Apple's next entry into its iconic iPhone series.

The Android Arsenal

Since "news" of the iPhone 4 October media event broke, speculation regarding the device's competition has also emerged. Chief among the competitors listed by the worlds media are Samsung's, also unconfirmed, Google Nexus Prime and Galaxy S3 devices.

The most recent report regarding the two fabled device stemmed from CNET UK. It alleged that an unnamed source had posted information allegedly taken during a visit to Google's office to 4Chan. Though the post only confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy S3 was currently being developed, it posted several details regarding the Nexus Prime.

The details alleged that the Google Nexus Prime would run using the company's future Ice Cream Sandwich Android operating system. It later followed up that the device would be "blazingly fast," packing a 1.5GHz Exynos dual-core processor and come with 1GB of RAM.
The source went on to allege that the device would house a curved 4.65-inch 1,280x720-pixel Super AMOLED Plus touchscreen neatly contained in an 8.8mm metal body.

The spec detailed in the new rumour runs contrary to a previous report from CNET UK that emerged earlier in September. The previous report alleged Samsung had accidentally let the Prime's existence slip in a leaked user agent profile.

The file reported that the Nexus Prime would be released housing an 480x800-pixel screen and an ARM11 processor.

At the time this article was written Samsung had not released a statement addressing either alleged "leak."

A full copy of the original post sent to 4Chan can be read at Android and Me.

The Windows Phone Armada

Alongside reports regarding Google's Android arsenal other claims have also emerged suggesting Microsoft had accidentally let slip details regarding Nokia and Samsung's future "iPhone-killing" Windows Phone smartphones.

According to reports, details regarding Nokia's Sabre and Searay and Samsung's Yokon and Wembley devices appeared in a terms and conditions policy handed out to entrants of a Canadian Mango app development challenge.

The devices were reportedly listed as potential prizes the entrants could win. Since the items inclusion in the conditions was first reported, the policy has been amended removing the smartphones names. Despite the change, the retail value listed in the document remained the same, indicating the phones would be worth around $600 -- roughly £370.

Outside of the names listed in the policy, no further details regarding the future devices were revealed. Previous reports had emerged earlier in 2011 suggesting the Searay would be similar in kind the company's Meego-powered N9 device. Details regarding the Samsung Yukon and Wembley remain nonexistent.

The news comes just after Microsoft released its latest Windows Phone Mango operating system on Wednesday. All the devices listed in the latest "leak" are expected to run the updated Windows Phone OS.

Other Existing Devices

In addition to the slew of currently rumoured devices analysts have speculated as capable of taking on Apple's -- also unconfirmed -- next iPhone several other confirmed handsets have also emerged to take on the iPhone 5.

Most recently HTC's Titan and next batch of Sensation devices has caused the most significant stir. The company made even bigger waves when it announced it would be holding its own media event just two days after Apple's.

A live feed covering Apple's unveiling can be viewed here.