Apple's next generation iPhone will reportedly feature a quad-core processor, according to a brief DigiTimes report.

The site says competition for quad-core smartphones will heat up in the fourth quarter of 2012 with HTC, Samsung, LG, and other already having released devices with the more powerful processors.

Additionally, Apple is also expected to release its next-generation iPhone built on Samsung's Exynos 4 quad-core processor in the second half, heating up competition in the segment, commented the sources.

Many expected Apple to release a quad-core processor for the new iPad; however, instead Apple released the A5X processor which featured improved graphics. Thus, it's unclear exactly what Apple's plans for the next generation iPhone will be.

via iclarified