Photo of the possible iPhone 5S by AlexKormisPS (ALM) via Flickr

Apple’s smartphones have plenty of loyal fans around the world, for good reason. While the iPhone 5 fell short of initial projected sales, with 5 million phones sold during the launch weekend versus the at least 8 million projected, by the end of 2012, Forbes reports more than 27 million iPhone 5s were sold. As the iPhone 5’s one-year anniversary approaches, rumors are swirling about the next iPhone: Will it be an iPhone 6, or an iPhone 5S? Will the next model come in different sizes? What kind of casing will the phone have? While nothing is certain, here are five features that would make the next iPhone even better than the iPhone 5.

1. Smaller Size

The main difference between the iPhone 5 and earlier iPhone models is the size. Apple continues to push its design so it’s sleeker, slimmer and lighter. According to Apple, the iPhone 5 comes in at 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than the iPhone 4S. While this might not seem like the biggest change in the world, it does reflect the continued advancement of the iPhone’s hardware. With such a huge improvement between the most recent two models, expect the next iPhone version to be even lighter and thinner, though TechRadar speculates the newest version may come in several sizes.

2. More Memory

Currently, the iPhone 5 comes equipped with 64GB of memory, but with no expandable memory options, some users are forced to use additional services such as cloud storage or external hard drives to keep track of all their data. Since some consumers use their smartphones in place of tablets or laptops for all their tech needs, upgrading the memory space in the iPhone could encourage more buyers to make the new iPhone their all-in-one device.

3. Better Usability

Though Apple is known for being one of the most user-friendly brands around, there are definite improvements users would benefit from. While the iPhone 5 requires users to enter passwords into their phones to unlock them, CNET reports Apple has filed patents to allow users to unlock their phones with a simple finger swipe. If you’re someone who has experienced frustration because of mistyped passwords, this small change could prove significant. Other usability improvements for the next iPhone include more customization options and the ability to turn your iPhone into a universal remote.  

4. Better Display

The iPhone 5 is the same width as the iPhone 4S, but the display is longer, giving users a full four inches of screen display. While this is definitely beneficial, some users would prefer a wider screen in the next version, as well. The iPhone 5 uses Apple’s signature Retina Display technology, which cannot be beat by any other smartphone on the market, giving Apple fanboys and girls a reason to call it the best smartphone from T-Mobile and other service providers. The Retina Display emphasizes brilliant colors and sharp quality, making it a stellar phone for design mock-ups or other work files that depend on proper color display. The current iPhone’s resolution is set at 1136 x 640, which is 18 percent higher than the 4S, and the next iPhone version’s display should be even more crystal clear than the iPhone 5. A higher resolution in the next version means the iPhone’s use could enhance the work of those in visual fields, ranging from photography to film production.

5. An Improved CPU

It’s not just the outside of the iPhone that receives regular overhauls. The innards usually get a bit of a facelift, as well. The iPhone 5 uses the dual-core A6 processor chip, which is twice as fast as its predecessor, Tom’s Hardware reports. The graphical capabilities of the phone also improved with this central processing unit (CPU), allowing you to play more graphically intensive iOS games, and the design of the CPU uses low-power technology to ease battery drain on the iPhone 5. A new iPhone with a quad-core A7 chip would make the phone even faster and more efficient and save more battery life.

What are your predictions for the next iPhone? Leave your thoughts in the comments.