Paper: 3G iPhone smaller, lighter than existing model
Reports aiming to predict what Apple's 3G iPhone will look and feel like continue to pour in this week, with the latest claim coming by way of the Taiwan Economic News, which says the next-generation device will be both lighter and more compact than the first generation model.
Citing its own sources in the supply chain, the paper claims the new model weighs only 110 to 120 grams versus its first generation cousin's 158 grams. Much of the weight reduction is said to have come from a material swap that will see handset adopt a plastic casing instead of aluminum-magnesium one.
"In addition to weight advantage, the latest version is also more energy efficient and externally smarter," the Economic News added. "LCD screen on the phone measures 2.8 inches diagonally, a downsize from first generation`s 3.5 inches."
The Far Eastern paper also echoed a recent report from the Chinese-language Commercial Times in saying Apple has placed orders for 25 million of the devices over an unspecified time frame. Materials for an initial build of 300,000 units are reportedly due in Foxconn's manufacturing facilities by the end of next month, with a secondary build of 3 million units to take place in June.
With each new description of the 3G iPhone seemingly contradicting the others, it's important to recall that Apple is reported to have crafted bogus prototypes of the first-generation iPhone to show not just to Cingular/AT&T executives ahead of its release, but also its Apple's own workers. So it's entirely possible that quite a few decoy devices are making the rounds this time.
For the sake of completeness, there have thus far been at least four other distinctive claims as to the design of the Apple's second-ever handset. The first arrived compliments of digg founder Kevin Rose, who was notoriously off the mark with his predictions on the first-gen handset. This time around he claims the iPhone will employ two digital cameras situated back-to-back, with the one on the front side of the unit paving the way for video chat capabilities.
Wall Street analysts Gene Munster and Shaw Wu later chimed in with their own claims, saying that both a new 2.5G version of the iPhone and the 3G model would each sport a somewhat "redesigned exterior" and fetch between $349 and $399. Finally, blog site Engadget echoed claims originally waged by the iPodObserver in saying that the device would shed its aluminum backing for a black plastic one, but somewhat dubiously added that Apple was forced to make the 3G model somewhat fatter than the first-gen model in order to incorporate GPS technology.
Despite readers' penchant for discounting claims made by analysts, it should be noted that the Wall Street folks have at times nailed design aspects of unannounced Apple products. Specifically, analyst Shaw Wu in 2006 confirmed independent of AppleInsider that Apple would transition its iPod nano away from plastic enclosures and towards metal ones. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley analyst Rebecca Runkle (now with Arience Capital) trumped all others in providing the most accurate visual descriptions and pricing information on the first-generation iPhone in the weeks leading up to its formal unveiling.
Citing its own sources in the supply chain, the paper claims the new model weighs only 110 to 120 grams versus its first generation cousin's 158 grams. Much of the weight reduction is said to have come from a material swap that will see handset adopt a plastic casing instead of aluminum-magnesium one.
"In addition to weight advantage, the latest version is also more energy efficient and externally smarter," the Economic News added. "LCD screen on the phone measures 2.8 inches diagonally, a downsize from first generation`s 3.5 inches."
The Far Eastern paper also echoed a recent report from the Chinese-language Commercial Times in saying Apple has placed orders for 25 million of the devices over an unspecified time frame. Materials for an initial build of 300,000 units are reportedly due in Foxconn's manufacturing facilities by the end of next month, with a secondary build of 3 million units to take place in June.
With each new description of the 3G iPhone seemingly contradicting the others, it's important to recall that Apple is reported to have crafted bogus prototypes of the first-generation iPhone to show not just to Cingular/AT&T executives ahead of its release, but also its Apple's own workers. So it's entirely possible that quite a few decoy devices are making the rounds this time.
For the sake of completeness, there have thus far been at least four other distinctive claims as to the design of the Apple's second-ever handset. The first arrived compliments of digg founder Kevin Rose, who was notoriously off the mark with his predictions on the first-gen handset. This time around he claims the iPhone will employ two digital cameras situated back-to-back, with the one on the front side of the unit paving the way for video chat capabilities.
Wall Street analysts Gene Munster and Shaw Wu later chimed in with their own claims, saying that both a new 2.5G version of the iPhone and the 3G model would each sport a somewhat "redesigned exterior" and fetch between $349 and $399. Finally, blog site Engadget echoed claims originally waged by the iPodObserver in saying that the device would shed its aluminum backing for a black plastic one, but somewhat dubiously added that Apple was forced to make the 3G model somewhat fatter than the first-gen model in order to incorporate GPS technology.
Despite readers' penchant for discounting claims made by analysts, it should be noted that the Wall Street folks have at times nailed design aspects of unannounced Apple products. Specifically, analyst Shaw Wu in 2006 confirmed independent of AppleInsider that Apple would transition its iPod nano away from plastic enclosures and towards metal ones. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley analyst Rebecca Runkle (now with Arience Capital) trumped all others in providing the most accurate visual descriptions and pricing information on the first-generation iPhone in the weeks leading up to its formal unveiling.
Comments
One of the main attractions of the iPhone is the relatively large screen. Why would they want to lose that advantage by making the screen smaller?
I agree that this doesn't sound right. But neither does a thicker iPhone.
K
I say we make it game-show style: those who get it wrong have to eat a bug or something. Would really limit the number of these annoying reports.
Whether it happens right now or not, I have no doubt that there will be a smaller form factor eventually.
I've had my touch since day 1, and as much as I like it, I've found that for my use, I'd be able to get by with a slightly smaller screen just fine.
On the other hand, I'd also like a 9" diag tablet. That way I could take whichever one suited my needs that day.
Smaller, plastic = lower end consumer (like the Macbook). Bigger, metal = pro version (like the Macbook Pro).
- if you look at the leaked picture of the black back of the new iPhone, it does appear to be possibly plastic
- i don't own a macbook pro, but if you did, the leaked picture of the iphone is overlaid on a macbook pro keyboard, so you could actually measure the dimensions on your own keyboard that correspond to the picture to see how big it really is
Nobody's expecting that until next year. Would be killer if Apple rolled it out in June.
There were reports that the 1stGen iPhone would stay on the market with a redesign. Maybe this is it.
2.8 inches is still bigger than your average smartphone.
Buried for inaccurate. Those people don't know squat.
This isn't Digg.
If this is true at all, then it is surely describing an additional iPhone model, e.g., iPhone nano. No chance in hell they are reducing the screen size on the main model.
Smaller, plastic = lower end consumer (like the Macbook). Bigger, metal = pro version (like the Macbook Pro).
I agree. While this is probably false, the only way it's true is if there are two devices coming in June.
Two things:
- if you look at the leaked picture of the black back of the new iPhone, it does appear to be possibly plastic
- i don't own a macbook pro, but if you did, the leaked picture of the iphone is overlaid on a macbook pro keyboard, so you could actually measure the dimensions on your own keyboard that correspond to the picture to see how big it really is
Those pics were fake. I was a 2G iPhone with a case and a little photoshopping of the back text.
Two things:
- if you look at the leaked picture of the black back of the new iPhone, it does appear to be possibly plastic
- i don't own a macbook pro, but if you did, the leaked picture of the iphone is overlaid on a macbook pro keyboard, so you could actually measure the dimensions on your own keyboard that correspond to the picture to see how big it really is
That leaked picture turned out to be just a commercially available protective case for the iPhone.
I agree that this doesn't sound right. But neither does a thicker iPhone.
K
What would be considered thicker? 5mm more than current size versus 2mm bigger?
Plastic, I'd have to see before making judgement but 3.5" diagonal screen down to 2.8" diagonal what's with that? To be more like the competition?? C'mon Apple, you have the rest of the cell phone market trying to emulate your phone and now you want to emulate the size of others!
And what's with the infatuation that it has to be miniscule to be in "vogue"?
I've held the iPhone, and my average call time on a cell phone, a 158 grams down to 110 -120 grams in weight doesn't seem that it would make that much of a difference (to me). I mean if it were a reduction of 38 to 48 pounds!, sure I'd appreciate the difference but 38 to 48 grams?