Apple rumored to ditch glass back for aluminum with iPhone 5
A new rumor claims that Apple will abandon the glass back design it introduced with the iPhone 4, and replace it with a new aluminum back, similar to the very first iPhone, with its next model due out this summer.
The report claims that issues with scratches and paint mixture for the white iPhone 4 have allegedly prompted Apple to switch to aluminum, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News (via Macotakara). Citing a Chinese source, the publication claims that Apple will adopt a design similar to the iPod touch for the iPhone 5.
In addition to scratching and difficulty painting the glass back of the iPhone 4, the report claims that the weight of the glass has prompted Apple to reconsider its use in the fifth-generation handset.
Apple is also rumored to be looking to abandon the steel outer frame of the iPhone 4, which doubles as the device's antennas. That design decision led to bad publicity when it was discovered that covering a section of the antenna could degrade a wireless signal.
Instead, the report claims that Apple will use a special resin for the Apple logo on the back of the device. Cellular and Wi-Fi data will reportedly travel through the logo, just like Wi-Fi does on the iPad.
Finally, the Taiwanese newspaper also states that there is "no doubt" the iPhone 5 will sport the same A5 processor as the forthcoming iPad 2. It also predicts Apple will stick with its typical annual release schedule, announcing the device at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, in June or July, as it has done in years past.
The report claims that issues with scratches and paint mixture for the white iPhone 4 have allegedly prompted Apple to switch to aluminum, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News (via Macotakara). Citing a Chinese source, the publication claims that Apple will adopt a design similar to the iPod touch for the iPhone 5.
In addition to scratching and difficulty painting the glass back of the iPhone 4, the report claims that the weight of the glass has prompted Apple to reconsider its use in the fifth-generation handset.
Apple is also rumored to be looking to abandon the steel outer frame of the iPhone 4, which doubles as the device's antennas. That design decision led to bad publicity when it was discovered that covering a section of the antenna could degrade a wireless signal.
Instead, the report claims that Apple will use a special resin for the Apple logo on the back of the device. Cellular and Wi-Fi data will reportedly travel through the logo, just like Wi-Fi does on the iPad.
Finally, the Taiwanese newspaper also states that there is "no doubt" the iPhone 5 will sport the same A5 processor as the forthcoming iPad 2. It also predicts Apple will stick with its typical annual release schedule, announcing the device at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, in June or July, as it has done in years past.
Comments
As a matter of my own humble opinion, a white faced iPhone 5 with a back side that mirrors the iPad 2 would be gorgeous.
Seems the iPhone 5 is the next up for the rumor mill. Let it begin! Only 4 months to go!
Sorry, but this story maketh sense not.
C.
It will have a great look and feel! Widgets on the lockscreen, liquid metal and carbon fibre everywhere, voice activated, complete and total NFC freedom with no security issues, free turn by turn directions, dual core with better battery life, one phone for all-world use on any protocol, lots and lots more stuff in iOS 5 (stuff that no competitor in the world is even thinking about), SD card slot, and more RAM than anybody else, and most importantly, it will be lighter in weight than any other smartphone on the market.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...e_coating.html
Getting rid of the glass on the back could save Apple quite some weight.
And yes I like the design of the iP4 as it is now.
At least AI didn't use that ridiculous mock-up photo macrumors published.
As a matter of my own humble opinion, a white faced iPhone 5 with a back side that mirrors the iPad 2 would be gorgeous.
Seems the iPhone 5 is the next up for the rumor mill. Let it begin! Only 4 months to go!
There isn't much left to guess about though is there?
We know the processor, NFC...
Body type/form factor and screen size are basically the only hardware related mysteries out there.
I think I'd rather start seeing the rumor mill churn on iOS 5, which is much more far-reaching for apple, and also not much is known yet.
I really like the design of the iPhone 4. I think it looks and feels awesome, and while the antennae issue was real, it was so easily avoided that I hardly see it as a major issue.
Ditto, I think the flat glass back is much nicer and more classy looking than the tapered edges on the iPod Touch and iPad. Furthermore it makes the iPhone stand out as some much more than just another one of the Android clones. The iPhone is heavy but I think it approaches the sweetspot for phone weight, if something is too light it is just as unpleasant to use.
Did people miss the article last week about the new material they will be treating their products with to prevent scratches? Switch to aluminum, use nitride, hey look no scratches.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...e_coating.html
The nitride treatment is on a stainless steel surface. Maybe Apple wants to use a steel back?
There isn't much left to guess about though is there?
We know the processor, NFC...
Body type/form factor and screen size are basically the only hardware related mysteries out there.
I think I'd rather start seeing the rumor mill churn on iOS 5, which is much more far-reaching for apple, and also not much is known yet.
Amen to that. Anything hardware related is just spec related, and I think we have finally left behind the spec wars. We know it will be faster etc etc, might have a better camera, might have a faster connector, faster downloads, combined 3G/CDMA etc etc whatever, but none of that has much effect on how you use it.
On the basis if absolutely no knowledge whatsoever, I think that OS5 could be one of the biggest leaps yet. A proper notification system, improved mobile me features, a couple of extra background APIs for auto downloading content for subscription apps etc so new content is waiting for you, not downloaded when you first try to access it etc. It's all about what you can do with it, not on speed baselines etc. The spec bump on the iPad 2 shows there is only so far they can go with hardware, the real interest in in the OS, and always has been for me. Can't wait to see the next full revision, I think it's an opportunity to make some serious inroads into the small number of places that things like WebOS and Android do better.
There isn't much left to guess about though is there?
We know the processor, NFC...
Body type/form factor and screen size are basically the only hardware related mysteries out there.
I think I'd rather start seeing the rumor mill churn on iOS 5, which is much more far-reaching for apple, and also not much is known yet.
Well, there's still guessing about if there will be a single phone that works on both Verizon and ATT (my understanding is that the chip in the Verizon iPhone could theoretically support both, assuming they could get the antennas for both in the design. And just for fun toss in speculation if the next iPhone will support LTE.
The glass is so hard it breaks with no effort, won't scratch though. The external frame with the antenna break points creates weak points that send impact energy into the glass even more so.
The edges are sharp and uncomfortable in the hand. It basically requires a case or it is not pleasant. The edges also are too close and the palm of the thumb hits the touch screen very easily.
Even plonking the thing on a hard surface such as a stone table without a case feels risky.
The iphone4 for me, in my hand typing this now is one of those things which is so impressive it kinda fails in being what it needs to be.