Purported Foxconn leak reveals 64GB iPhone 4 prototype
An unconfirmed report claims to have access to an engineering prototype of the iPhone 4 with 64GB of storage that was reportedly leaked from Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn.
Earlier this week, a Hong Kong-based website posted photos of a purported iPhone prototype with 64GB of storage. Apple currently only sells iPhone 4 models in 16GB and 32GB configurations.
Late Tuesday, MIC Gadget posted a number of photos and a hands-on video of the device, which the site claims was "definitely leaked from Foxconn's factory in Shenzhen." Photos of the prototype reveal striking similarities to a prototype iPhone 4 that was purchased by Gizmodo last year after being left in a bar by an Apple engineer.
Such similarities appear to suggest that the prototype is also from the Device Verification Test phase, which takes place right before production.
The device is running an official build of iOS 4.1, which was released in September of last year. Though the phone's settings list the model number as 995-6049LL, the back of the device designates the model simply as XXXXX.
It should be noted that the prototype, even if authentic, does not guarantee that Apple plans to release a 64GB iPhone 4. Some reports have speculated that the Cupertino, Calif., iPhone maker tested the prototype but ultimately decided not to mass produce and sell a 64GB version because of cost limitations.
Still others have taken the purported leak to mean that Apple will introduce only incremental upgrades, such as a storage boost, when the company releases a new version of the device this summer. It has been suggested that the addition of minor features of the next iPhone would more closely resemble the transition from the iPhone 3G to the 3GS than the jump from the 3GS to the iPhone 4.
On the other hand, a rumor from earlier this week claimed that Apple plans to abandon the glass back design of the iPhone 4 in favor of an aluminum back. Reports have also suggested that Apple will redesign the steel outer frame of the iPhone 4 that caused a controversy last summer.
Earlier this week, a Hong Kong-based website posted photos of a purported iPhone prototype with 64GB of storage. Apple currently only sells iPhone 4 models in 16GB and 32GB configurations.
Late Tuesday, MIC Gadget posted a number of photos and a hands-on video of the device, which the site claims was "definitely leaked from Foxconn's factory in Shenzhen." Photos of the prototype reveal striking similarities to a prototype iPhone 4 that was purchased by Gizmodo last year after being left in a bar by an Apple engineer.
Such similarities appear to suggest that the prototype is also from the Device Verification Test phase, which takes place right before production.
The device is running an official build of iOS 4.1, which was released in September of last year. Though the phone's settings list the model number as 995-6049LL, the back of the device designates the model simply as XXXXX.
It should be noted that the prototype, even if authentic, does not guarantee that Apple plans to release a 64GB iPhone 4. Some reports have speculated that the Cupertino, Calif., iPhone maker tested the prototype but ultimately decided not to mass produce and sell a 64GB version because of cost limitations.
Still others have taken the purported leak to mean that Apple will introduce only incremental upgrades, such as a storage boost, when the company releases a new version of the device this summer. It has been suggested that the addition of minor features of the next iPhone would more closely resemble the transition from the iPhone 3G to the 3GS than the jump from the 3GS to the iPhone 4.
On the other hand, a rumor from earlier this week claimed that Apple plans to abandon the glass back design of the iPhone 4 in favor of an aluminum back. Reports have also suggested that Apple will redesign the steel outer frame of the iPhone 4 that caused a controversy last summer.
Comments
Nonetheless, it's not a matter of "if" Apple will increase the iPhone's storage capacity, but "when". This is a non-story.
Heck, you’re lucky to get more than one capacity option from competitors phones. They instead charge you just as much for the same capacity as the cheaper iPhone, but then claim they offer an microSD card with 2Mb/s and want you to pay an excessive fee for that inconvenience upon inconvenience. Even the flagship Honeycomb tablet only has 32GB.
Personally I’m going for the lowest capacity iPhone 5 and iPad 2 WiFi this year. I simply don’t store that much data on them anymore.
I think I'd rather wait for the XXX Gb version
Ha Ha that is only 30 gigs
Ha Ha that is only 30 gigs
I?m sure he meant XXX as in porn, not the Roman numerals for 30.
I?m sure he meant XXX as in porn, not the Roman numerals for 30.
Photos of the prototype reveal striking similarities to a prototype iPhone 4 that was purchased by Gizmodo last year after being left in a bar by an Apple engineer.
That's a weird way to say the prototype looks like a regular iPhone 4.
It might finally be feasible for Apple to increase the capacity but there is still no competition that is forcing Apple to do so as no one else is able to sell a 64GB smartphone.
Heck, you?re lucky to get more than one capacity option from competitors phones. They instead charge you just as much for the same capacity as the cheaper iPhone, but then claim they offer an microSD card with 2Mb/s and want you to pay an excessive fee for that inconvenience upon inconvenience. Even the flagship Honeycomb tablet only has 32GB.
Personally I?m going for the lowest capacity iPhone 5 and iPad 2 WiFi this year. I simply don?t store that much data on them anymore.
There was also no competition for a 'retina' display to appear on the market...
I think this is real. By mass producing, or more relative, mass buying the 64g chips they also lower the price point of the 128 chips.
They are looking towards the future...
Do my eyes deceive me or is that a white iPhone in the background????
I was going to say the same thing. The fabled white unicorn, er, iPhone! I'm surprised it took so long before anybody, including the author, pointed it out. It was the first thing I noticed.
1. Axe the iPhone 3GS
2. Keep the current iPhone 4 in black/white 16Gb but slash the price so the networks can make it available free on contract or £300 for premium PAYG users
3. Introduce an all new iPhone 5 with 4" screen following the iPad 2 design in black/white 32/64Gb
I think they will follow what they've done in the past few years at WWDC in June:
1. Axe the iPhone 3GS
2. Keep the current iPhone 4 in black/white 16Gb but slash the price so the networks can make it available free on contract or £300 for premium PAYG users
3. Introduce an all new iPhone 5 with 4" screen following the iPad 2 design in black/white 32/64Gb
Personally, IMHO, I think the iPhone 4 is the best design they've ever come up with. Going back to an ipod design would ruin it for me.
They're selling tons of them for a reason. They made the best phone. Quality wise, and most people love quality, no one else is even competing that I can tell.
Make a great phone, sell millions. I love the phone. I'm also curious to see what happens if they change the design....
However, I would like to start a prediction on the iPod mini's. I think they went the wrong way with those design wise. I know too many people who don't know anything about computers who are buying Sony's MP3 players now because of the new iPod mini. (too many being 5 people)
Personally, IMHO, I think the iPhone 4 is the best design they've ever come up with. Going back to an ipod design would ruin it for me.
They're selling tons of them for a reason. They made the best phone. Quality wise, and most people love quality, no one else is even competing that I can tell.
Make a great phone, sell millions. I love the phone. I'm also curious to see what happens if they change the design....
However, I would like to start a prediction on the iPod mini's. I think they went the wrong way with those design wise. I know too many people who don't know anything about computers who are buying Sony's MP3 players now because of the new iPod mini. (too many being 5 people)
I think they may make a number of changes to the iPod line up in Sept to revitalise sales:
1. Combine the Touch & Mini into a new form factor somewhere between the two size wise with a lower price than the current touch for people who mainly use it as an music player. This will then replace the Classic next year when 128Gb flash memory prices are more affordable
2. New 6" iPod Play to take on Sony, Nintendo & Kindle
3. New iPod Shuffle that you can wear like a watch