Apple, carriers reportedly testing 4G iPhone

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 is set to be revealed in the next month or two, though no one quite knows what the device will feature or look like even.

However, thanks to plethora of iPhone 5 rumors out there, we think we have a pretty good idea.

Sure, we probably know what it will look like, though one technology we’ve repeatedly seen requested and never confirmed is LTE support for 4G networks across the globe.

While we can’t confirm that the upcoming fifth-generation iPhone will be able to support 4G LTE, BGR is reporting that Apple and its carrier partners are testing an iPhone 6 model with full LTE capability. Hooray for fanboys!

The technology site has obtained evidence of an internal iOS test build from one of Apple’s major carrier partners, and buried in the firmware is a property list for LTE.

This doesn’t necessarily mean every Apple device that’s about to be released will feature an LTE modem, but it does mean Apple isn’t sitting ust twiddling their thumbs as 4G LTE networks roll out around the United States and Europe.

As SlashGear points out, the news does line up with Apple’s slow and steady technology adoption approach. The iPhone 6, or whatever they call it, will no doubt be a candidate for LTE.

That said, it’s possible that we will see 4G come to other iOS devices before the iPhone gets it at all. The Spring 2011 iPad 3, which is widely thought to have LTE, is certainly a stronger candidate than an iPhone.

At this point, Apple doesn’t really need a 4G iPhone to remain competitive for the next year, but there’s no way the company can release an iPhone 6 withouth LTE in 2012.  Look for an LTE iPhone then.