Rumors: Next-Generation iPhone May Have a 5-Megapixel Camera, Apple Orders Twice As Many Parts for 2010

Today’s Apple rumor has nothing to do with a certain tablet, but rather, the next-generation iPhone, which will most likely launch in the summer of 2010. DigiTimes reports that OmniVision Technologies, which already supplies the 3.2-megapixel camera in the current iPhone 3G S, has signed a new contract to supply 5-MP CMOS camera sensors for the next generation of the phone.

The leak also provides some interesting insights into Apple’s projections for the iPhone. Whereas this year Apple ordered between 30 and 21 million camera sensors, it’s said to be ordering 40 and 45 million for 2010. That’s an ambitious leap, considering that the iPhone is already the most popular phone in the U.S. and is taking off worldwide, including in Japan.

Personally, since I quickly tire of megapixel wars, whether in phones or digital cameras, I’m more interested in what the iPhone’s biggest growth areas will be next year. Will we see the iPhone come to Verizon? With so much momentum already, I’m curious indeed to see what the next frontier will be for iPhone sales in 2010.