Case makers bet on taller 4" screen for Apple's next iPhone
Third-party protective iPhone cases for a redesigned model with a taller 4-inch screen and a smaller dock connector have begun to appear online in anticipation of Apple's next-generation handset.
The new cases are now available for purchase form China's TVC-Mall.com, and were first publicized on Wednesday by Cydia Blog. In addition to a taller screen and smaller dock connector, the cases also show a headphone jack that has been moved to the bottom of the device.
The online store also gives customers a warning that it cannot "guarantee this product can be used in iPhone 5." Last year, third-party case manufacturers bet — and lost — on a redesigned iPhone and began selling products based on a design that never came to be.
The cases do not offer any new details on Apple's anticipated next-generation iPhone, as the design matches previous rumors, which have been supported by pictures of alleged prototype parts that have leaked online. Reports have claimed that Apple's sixth-generation iPhone will feature a 26 percent larger 16-to-9 display, along with a smaller 19-pin dock connector that will replace the 30-pin design currently found on Apple's iOS devices.
More leaked parts that surfaced online this week suggest the next iPhone will have a centered FaceTime camera, while the home button below the screen will remain unchanged. Numerous reports have also claimed Apple plans to adopt new in-cell touchscreen that will allow the display on the next iPhone to be thinner than its current glass-on-glass solution.
Industry watchers suspect that Apple will release the next iPhone about a year after the launch of the iPhone 4S, September or October. That would allow Apple to take advantage of the lucrative holiday shopping season, which helped result in record breaking sales of the iPhone 4S at launch last year.
The new cases are now available for purchase form China's TVC-Mall.com, and were first publicized on Wednesday by Cydia Blog. In addition to a taller screen and smaller dock connector, the cases also show a headphone jack that has been moved to the bottom of the device.
The online store also gives customers a warning that it cannot "guarantee this product can be used in iPhone 5." Last year, third-party case manufacturers bet — and lost — on a redesigned iPhone and began selling products based on a design that never came to be.
The cases do not offer any new details on Apple's anticipated next-generation iPhone, as the design matches previous rumors, which have been supported by pictures of alleged prototype parts that have leaked online. Reports have claimed that Apple's sixth-generation iPhone will feature a 26 percent larger 16-to-9 display, along with a smaller 19-pin dock connector that will replace the 30-pin design currently found on Apple's iOS devices.
More leaked parts that surfaced online this week suggest the next iPhone will have a centered FaceTime camera, while the home button below the screen will remain unchanged. Numerous reports have also claimed Apple plans to adopt new in-cell touchscreen that will allow the display on the next iPhone to be thinner than its current glass-on-glass solution.
Industry watchers suspect that Apple will release the next iPhone about a year after the launch of the iPhone 4S, September or October. That would allow Apple to take advantage of the lucrative holiday shopping season, which helped result in record breaking sales of the iPhone 4S at launch last year.
Comments
Smart. They have nothing to lose. I'm sure they'll recoup costs based on demand for anything Apple related. These cases are so cheap to design and make, they can easily tweak when the real specs come out.
If we go by the hardware shells that were photographed, they showed reduced bezels that indicate the next iPhone should be almost the same size as the current one:
They might sharpen the corners slightly so it doesn't look odd but very little noticable difference.
They shouldn't make it wider so at worst it will be a little taller.
That's terrible, the 16:9 aspect ratio sucks. Keep it how it is now. Widen it as well as lengthen it.
Lol that's exactly the case I have on my 4... only they removed the hole for the apple logo? Maybe they don't know where it is yet?
Interesting detail if this case is "correct": notice how the volume and mute switch have a larger gap from the top of phone than the current iPhone. To maintain easy reach with your thumb I guess?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin
If we go by the hardware shells that were photographed, they showed reduced bezels that indicate the next iPhone should be almost the same size as the current one:
They might sharpen the corners slightly so it doesn't look odd but very little noticable difference.
They shouldn't make it wider so at worst it will be a little taller.
if the screen is really 16:9, increasing how wide the screen is will results in a taller screen also. But if the top/bottom bezel has been reduce more than the side ones, it will compensate indeed. The current 4s screen size is 3:2 inch which is a 1.5 ratio. The 16:9 ratio is 1.78. So if the screen remains 2" wide, the new screen will be 3.5 inch tall. If the reduce the side bezel a bit, we may get a 3.6 or 3.7 tall screen.
But what I would like Apple to do is come up with a water resistant and shock resistant phone, on top of a new design.
I am going to reserver judgement on this, but I'm worried for the first time that Apple may flub this rev. I hope this thing is not just a longer/taller screen, but is more like this mock-up i.e. also a wider screen. It's the only one I've seen that I might be able to live with.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iluomo
I am going to reserver judgement on this, but I'm worried for the first time that Apple may flub this rev. I hope this thing is not just a longer/taller screen, but is more like this mock-up i.e. also a wider screen. It's the only one I've seen that I might be able to live with.
No,no, please don't suicide over a phone! There is more to life than this!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lightknight
No,no, please don't suicide over a phone! There is more to life than this!
Oh my God. I was can't believe I was so close and... and... you cared enough to stop me. Thank you, lightknight. You are truly a noble person.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin
If we go by the hardware shells that were photographed, they showed reduced bezels that indicate the next iPhone should be almost the same size as the current one:
regardless of form factor, there's a very high likelihood my next mobile phone will be the next iteration of the iPhone. my current iPhone 3GS has been working great since 2009, despite the few instances requiring me to reboot the device.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin
If we go by the hardware shells that were photographed, they showed reduced bezels that indicate the next iPhone should be almost the same size as the current one:
They might sharpen the corners slightly so it doesn't look odd but very little noticable difference.
They shouldn't make it wider so at worst it will be a little taller.
Everything I've seen indicates that it will be a little bigger than these images show. All the leaked videos and pictures of the part show it to be around a centimetre or so longer and the same width.
These pictures make it look like a half centimetre or less difference.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
So the display is longer but how much longer is the device? It could stand to be slightly longer without negatively affecting the user experience but I assume that the forehead and chin will also be reduced to help minimize that additional length.
I'm more interested in how thin it is (or isn't).
I wish someone would actually get out a ruler and publish measurements in a situation like this but no one ever seems to think of it.
For instance everyone who's handled the new backplate part says that it's "thinner" but no one says by how much. On the other hand, all the renders of the new iPhone based on the leaks, (and now these cases), make it appear as if it's the exact same thickness.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
I'm more interested in how thin it is (or isn't).
I wish someone would actually get out a ruler and publish measurements in a situation like this but no one ever seems to think of it.
They don't because they don't have the actual thing to measure.
This could end up being just like last year, totally wrong.
Quote:
Originally Posted by herbapou
... The current 4s screen size is 3:2 inch which is a 1.5 ratio. The 16:9 ratio is 1.78. So if the screen remains 2" wide, the new screen will be 3.5 inch tall. If the reduce the side bezel a bit, we may get a 3.6 or 3.7 tall screen. ...
I don't think this is right. The current iPhone is actually 3.5" (9cm) and 4:3 ratio.
Since all the leaks agree on the new form factor it would be easier just to measure the new part, but in the videos and stills I have seen the new iPhone looks roughly a centimetre taller and the same width. It's will also either the same thickness or perhaps a millimetre or so thinner.
The leaks do appear the same thickness as the current iPhone which would suck unless battery life were increased significantly. Strangely all of the rumors seem to point to a far thinner phone including this one posted here months ago.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/05/03/rumor_apples_next_iphone_will_be_2mm_thinner_with_4_screen_metal_back.html
See the reference to the yet to be released Smart Case? Could validate the information in the rumor.
At this point if all these leaks do prove to be wrong this will be the biggest bust for the tech media. Either way I've warmed up to the leaked design and I'd even consider upgrading to it from my 4S.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
I don't think this is right. The current iPhone is actually 3.5" (9cm) and 4:3 ratio.
Since all the leaks agree on the new form factor it would be easier just to measure the new part, but in the videos and stills I have seen the new iPhone looks roughly a centimetre taller and the same width. It's will also either the same thickness or perhaps a millimetre or so thinner.
Pretty sure the iPhone is a 3:2 ratio vs. the iPad which is 4:3.
I still maintain all the leaks are wrong and the iPhone will keep a 3.5" display.
I have no inside contact and there have been so maybe in the know rumors, so I think I will just wait for Apple's product announcement.
Thank god i bought samsung galaxy s3, i was always iphone lover but not anymore, they r falling behind big time, with the same UI year after year.