Rumor: Next-gen iPhone now in production, possible design change in tow
Fresh reports from Chinese sources claim Apple's next-generation handset has entered the production phase complete with design changes including the addition of glass to the unit's "uni-body" backplate.
A trusted source notified Japanese language Mac blog MacOtakara on Saturday that Chinese manufacturers have started to ramp up production of Apple's new iPhone, which the site calls "iPhone 5," and adds the unit may bear some minor design changes from parts allegedly leaked in May.
While previous reports pointed to a "uni-body" chassis that featured a two-tone all-metal design, the purported production model will sport an inlayed glass piece between the backplate's top and bottom edges instead of leaving a bare aluminum surface. Unlike the iPhone 4 and 4S which boast a "glass sandwich" design with tough Gorilla Glass front and back coverings, the upcoming handset will reportedly have a backplate only "partially covered" by the tough material. The change could be in response to a rumored screen size bump to a 4-inch Retina display with 16:9 aspect ratio.
The source goes on to call the part seen in images and video circulating around the web a pre-production design built for prototype testing.
Source: MacOtakara
Notably absent from the latest chassis design is a small hole between the camera assembly and LED flash which some speculated to be a rear-facing microphone for video recording. The source notes, however, that the opening may still be present but is simply "invisible" to the naked eye.
Analysts pegged the September to October timeframe as a likely launch window for Apple's sixth-generation smartphone, in time for the lucrative holiday shopping season.
A trusted source notified Japanese language Mac blog MacOtakara on Saturday that Chinese manufacturers have started to ramp up production of Apple's new iPhone, which the site calls "iPhone 5," and adds the unit may bear some minor design changes from parts allegedly leaked in May.
While previous reports pointed to a "uni-body" chassis that featured a two-tone all-metal design, the purported production model will sport an inlayed glass piece between the backplate's top and bottom edges instead of leaving a bare aluminum surface. Unlike the iPhone 4 and 4S which boast a "glass sandwich" design with tough Gorilla Glass front and back coverings, the upcoming handset will reportedly have a backplate only "partially covered" by the tough material. The change could be in response to a rumored screen size bump to a 4-inch Retina display with 16:9 aspect ratio.
The source goes on to call the part seen in images and video circulating around the web a pre-production design built for prototype testing.
Source: MacOtakara
Notably absent from the latest chassis design is a small hole between the camera assembly and LED flash which some speculated to be a rear-facing microphone for video recording. The source notes, however, that the opening may still be present but is simply "invisible" to the naked eye.
Analysts pegged the September to October timeframe as a likely launch window for Apple's sixth-generation smartphone, in time for the lucrative holiday shopping season.
Comments
Could be anywhere between Aug and Xmas. Probably with an updated imac and spin off on ipad. Holding off on buying a new phone just because of this dammit. Need a new imac as well. Bring it on...
Quote:
Fresh reports from Chinese sources claim production of Apple's next-generation handset is underway ahead of a possible fall launch date, with allegedly finalized design appearing employ glass on the rear of the unit.
Please, please, please, have an editor read your copy before you post it. I can't even figure out what you're actually saying. Does the final design employ glass on the rear of the unit? or does it just look like glass?
The leaked parts we’ve seen for months were never "two-tone" metal, and never had an all-metal back. They ALWAYS had overlaid glass on the back (two pieces).
This rumor contains no design change after all.
A rear microphone for self recording thats awesome, does any other phone have that? ...
It'd be awesome to see more colors than black/white/silver. I'd be all over a dark red one.
So you can say they are copying someone else who has a red phone?¡
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
So you can say they are copying someone else who has a red phone?¡
...what?
What? Bruce Wayne will sue for copying the Batphone?
Or this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow–Washington_hotline
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris_CA
A rear microphone would not be for recording yourself unless you turn your phone around so you cannot see the screen when you record yourself.
And yet, that's how the current iPod touch is configured. The microphone is adjacent to the rear-facing camera. If you use the iPod touch as a VoIP phone (e.g., using Talkatone and Google Voice), you should turn it upside down and backwards.
The iPhone 4S has a second microphone on the top of the handset for ambient noise analysis. It really doesn't need to be there. It could easily move to the rear-facing camera.
I don't think the construction was readily apparent either way. It looked like it might have been a different material, but if so, the edges and seemingly nonexistent or incredibly tight seams hid that fact very well. It looked at least as plausible to be a different texture of metal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaroonMushroom
It'd be awesome to see more colors than black/white/silver. I'd be all over a dark red one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
So you can say they are copying someone else who has a red phone?¡
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaroonMushroom
...what?
He's calling you an Android troll on an Apple centric forum. Or don't you get that? Try reading your own post history. Duh.
Hopeful Apple realizes that hardware is as important as the operating software.
Apple is a software company, said Steve.
But "people that love software want to do their own hardware. "
Liquidmetal maybe ..... / music from outer limits
Quote:
Originally Posted by lkrupp
He's calling you an Android troll on an Apple centric forum. Or don't you get that? Try reading your own post history. Duh.
Oh gosh... I'm so sorry I'm and Android user guys.
I guess I'll throw my macbook away in shame.
How much time does Apple need to make twenty-million iPhones to have on hand at a launch? How many iPhones can fit into a 747 cargo plane? I would like Apple Insider to research this and give us the answers. That would be an interesting article.