Alleged 'iPhone 5' case shows larger home button area, curved sides
A schematic claimed to be for a case for Apple's anticipated fifth-generation iPhone shows a larger area for the home button, a slightly larger screen, and the return of curved sides like on the iPhone 3GS.
The documents allegedly come from a Chinese case manufacturer, and were obtained by MobileFun.co.uk (via Cult of Mac). They show a design with curved sides, similar to iPhone models released before the current iPhone 4.
On the front, the case appears to have a larger, oval-shaped opening for where the device's home button would go. That could lend support to rumors from earlier this year that Apple's next-iPhone would feature a multi-touch "gesture area" in place of the current home button.
That same report also predicted that Apple's next iPhone would have a slightly larger 3.7-inch edge-to-edge screen. The images that claim to show a so-called "iPhone 5" case also suggest that the device may have a larger screen.
The photos show the handset's volume buttons and SIM card slot in the same place, but also show placement of the vibrate switch on the opposite side.
The case also suggests the device will feature an unmoved LED camera flash, which would contradict purported fifth-generation iPhone parts (1, 2), which leaked in May and suggested the camera lens and flash would be moved further apart to improve picture quality. Separating the camera flash and lens can reduce the red-eye effect seen in photographs.
The alleged schematic would contradict other rumors that the next iPhone will have a design largely similar to the current iPhone 4, with one of the biggest changes being a new, higher-resolution 8-megapixel camera and the addition of the A5 processor. Some reports have characterized the device as an "iPhone 4S," in references to the alleged minor changes.
Though the next iPhone will arrive later than usual this year, reports from Apple's supply chain have been picking up, indicating that the company is preparing to begin mass production of the next-generation device. Last week, during the company's quarterly earnings conference call, Apple executives revealed that an unnamed major product transition is in the cards to take place by the end of September.
The documents allegedly come from a Chinese case manufacturer, and were obtained by MobileFun.co.uk (via Cult of Mac). They show a design with curved sides, similar to iPhone models released before the current iPhone 4.
On the front, the case appears to have a larger, oval-shaped opening for where the device's home button would go. That could lend support to rumors from earlier this year that Apple's next-iPhone would feature a multi-touch "gesture area" in place of the current home button.
That same report also predicted that Apple's next iPhone would have a slightly larger 3.7-inch edge-to-edge screen. The images that claim to show a so-called "iPhone 5" case also suggest that the device may have a larger screen.
The photos show the handset's volume buttons and SIM card slot in the same place, but also show placement of the vibrate switch on the opposite side.
The case also suggests the device will feature an unmoved LED camera flash, which would contradict purported fifth-generation iPhone parts (1, 2), which leaked in May and suggested the camera lens and flash would be moved further apart to improve picture quality. Separating the camera flash and lens can reduce the red-eye effect seen in photographs.
The alleged schematic would contradict other rumors that the next iPhone will have a design largely similar to the current iPhone 4, with one of the biggest changes being a new, higher-resolution 8-megapixel camera and the addition of the A5 processor. Some reports have characterized the device as an "iPhone 4S," in references to the alleged minor changes.
Though the next iPhone will arrive later than usual this year, reports from Apple's supply chain have been picking up, indicating that the company is preparing to begin mass production of the next-generation device. Last week, during the company's quarterly earnings conference call, Apple executives revealed that an unnamed major product transition is in the cards to take place by the end of September.
Comments
The design in this article seems like a real step backwards... here is hoping it's not real.
I actually LOVE the current, more rectilinear design.
The design in this article seems like a real step backwards... here is hoping it's not real.
+1 I can see no way that Apple would produce a device looking like that as a premium phone, I can see it conceivably as a replacement for the 3GS as an entry level phone.
Unlike previous generations, these iPhone 5 rumors are all over the map.
Where is a microbrew quaffing field-tester when you need one eh?
Unlike previous generations, these iPhone 5 rumors are all over the map.
I suspect that after the iPhone 4 leak, they re-doubled their efforts to maintain security and/or misinformation.
I just hope that Apple can maintain people's expectations. They will have waited an unprecedented 15 months since the debut of the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 was a huge leap, so I suspect that this iteration will not be quite so big.
+1 I can see no way that Apple would produce a device looking like that as a premium phone, I can see it conceivably as a replacement for the 3GS as an entry level phone.
ya i was gonna say this could be a 3gs remodel for the entry level than the 5 would keep the rectangular shape of the 4, while also upping screen size and separating the flash.
Where is a microbrew quaffing field-tester when you need one eh?
I think they went extinct a little over a year ago.
and suggested the camera lens and flash would be moved further apart to improve picture quality.
You mean "farther," not "further."
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com...s-farther.aspx
-Chris.com
I love the shape of the ip4, though I have to admit it is impractical to have such a sensitive fine featured design on what is basically a utilitarian device which is guaranteed to be dropped. And don't start going on about cases because once you put a case on the damn thing design becomes irrelevant. Unless we are talking case design, of course.
On the CAD image on the lower left, the left side is thicker than the right (headset side). Also on the bottom right, the image that is cut off appears to show two cases laid one behind the other top to bottom to illustrate the difference in thickness.
Does this mean that the crazy curved iPhone rumors were true?
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...een_rumor.html
Cheers !
ya i was gonna say this could be a 3gs remodel for the entry level than the 5 would keep the rectangular shape of the 4, while also upping screen size and separating the flash.
Another possibility is the oft-rumoured TD-SCDMA phone for china.
And a really bad one at that.
Some kid was playing around with his trial or pirated 3D CAD package. The apple isn't centered in the circle. You wouldn't lay out the drawing that way, especially with the 2 views overlapped in the lower right corner, with one face-down and another one face-up in the background.
I wouldn't even say 'nice try'....
I actually LOVE the current, more rectilinear design.
The design in this article seems like a real step backwards... here is hoping it's not real.
Yeah, I love the current design. This is indeed a step backwards.
I'm thinking this must be the new iPod touch instead in that the touch is really just a small iPad so the idea of it getting a SIM and keeping the same form factor makes sense. Perhaps there will even be a 7" intermediary size to make a family of three sizes for iPad.
I'm not against change, but this reeks of change for changes sake alone, if it's the new iPhone. It's also (again, if true) a kind of a direct admission that everything they said about the iPhone 4 antenna was a lie, which is a very unusual and very hard to believe move for Apple to make.
Schematics are just renditions or concepts. Let me see something that someone had to actually manufacture to put any validity to rumors.
Unlike previous generations, these iPhone 5 rumors are all over the map.
Must mean Apple fired or "took care" of the leakers.