iPhone 4G (iPhone HD) gets previewed – looks like the real deal
Gizmodo got their hands on that lost iPhone G4 (iPhone HD/iPhone 4G/etc) prototype purportedly lost then found in a San Jose bar and reported on extensively yesterday. They’ve given it a thorough, geektonic once-over and here’s the take away:
- Front-facing camera, bigger back camera with flash
- MicroSIM (like iPad)
- Higher res screen (exact dimensions unknown but could be the rumored 960×640)
- Potential second mic for noise cancellation
All metal power, mute, and volume buttons
Flat form-factor that’s more squared-off with an aluminum outer border
- Shiny glass/plastic (ceramic?) back
- Slightly smaller and 3 grams beefier than iPhone 3GS
- Battery is 16% bigger, made possible by shrinking everything else
Giz claims they’ve been playing with the 4th gen iPhone for about a week (?!) and they think its the real deal. They have some videos up and tons more info as well so check out the link up top for more and let us know what you think. This looks like an honest-to-Jobs unfinished 4th gen iPhone — do you like it?
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Looks Amazing. I certainly want one. But I can’t believe they didn’t Increase screen size.
Steve Jobs must be slowly torturing the guy who lost this prototype.
If it’s true that it has a higher screen resolution, app developers are going to have to get used to accommodating these different screen sizes. More APIs to learn…
this is a hot a$$ mess
reminds me of the Nokia N96 somehow ! O_____o
btw it looks ugly.. wont buy G4 if it has no curves lol
This thing looks terrible…the side buttons look like an old Sony T series. With the MBP and MB lines moving to unibody, the release of iPad, why would we believe these hard lines are the future of iPhone design? I’ll eat my 3gs if this is iPhone 4…
I think this is the real deal and it does fit exactly what we are expecting, not sure I like the lack of curves though
looks like a tape recorder with a touch screen
Please let this be fake! It is, by far, the ugliest phone I have seen. Ugly buttons, flat chassi, big fat chunky device. If it turns out to be the real thing, I most certainly will stick to my 1.gen iphone…darn, I been waiting for 4G (4th gen) for a long time now. And it looks like I have to wait another year, June 2011.
Think Jobs would delay the release if this was the real deal?
I can’t believe apple would let this happen.
The strangest thing about this story is that someone apparently found a lost phone in a bar (in a protective case, even), and instead of giving it to the bartender they took it home and disassembled it.
does it have a LED ?
Ug…. Apple has gone back in time with design on the version.
I think it’s ugly too. I’m looking forward to seeing the actual phone in June and i’m hoping it won’t look like this one. If it does I might just ride out it till next year. I’ll have my upgrade to use by then anyway.
this is NOT going to be good for apple, if this is the real thing i will NOT even think about it, UGLY LOOKING PHONE !!!
i think iphone will never succeed with this new shape.
tooooooo bad apple !!
Gizmodo have photos of it next to a 3GS and it is THINNER than the 3GS. The design is growing on me.
In any case this is either the scoop of the year or a brilliant viral marketing campaign.
Something isn’t quite right though. Engadget were getting ‘exclusive’ shots of the device over the weekend and yet Gizmodo apparently had in in their hands for a week! And both say it was found in a bar.
This could be a set up by ‘ol Steve himself. Smart guy with past clever tactics. Place a prototype out in public and claim someone lost it. Great way to throw people and developers off.
I doubt this would be a final product of an Apple device, it looks horible.
These comments sound just like the comments after pics of the “fatty” 3rd generation nano were leaked.
I really like the design. Not a fan of the volume buttons, but the phone is sexy. Hardly a big fat chunky device. It looks thinner–see pics next to 3GS; and I believe the article even says it is thinner.
I guess i’m in the minority, but I like it. The shape looks just like the MBPros and iMacs.
Ok we have to remember this is supose to be a prototype, this most likely is not the real deal, they still have alot of time to give it a defferant look. Yeah I know this thing looks like a ugly person you would not want to take on a date, But give it some time. nothing that some plastic surgery can’t fix. The new iPhone will be sexy phone, that other people will want to cheat on there phone with.
At first I thought it was ugly, but after carefully examining the Gizmodo photos at full resolution, the design is growing on me. Placed next to a 3GS, it’s thinner and makes the 3GS design look dated. And flat might be the only way they can craft a working ceramic back. Guess we’ll see in June.
I think it’s gorgeous.
Love it….It looks like a Macbook Pro. I can’t wait to ditch my 3G in June.
For all y’all who think it’s fugly, I have a great 32GB 3GS to sell ya
Nonsense. This always happens and it always turns out to be untrue.
a phone that looks ugly in your hand
It’s like a Sony-Ericsson or a Zune
I like the new design/shape if it is real, reminds me of mac book pro, I want to watch the videos.
no ZUNE is more beautiful than this ****
I don’t like the seams. Also, if this was a true representation of the 4th generation iPhone, wouldn’t Apple issue a cease and desist order? I don’t mind an iPad like design on the new iPhone if need be.
I been holding to see what the new iPhone brings to the table before I buy htc product
If this is the real deal Well I made a decision and it’s not the new iBrick (put an antenna and looks like the phone from a night at the Rocksbury)
Come on apple don’t let it be the real deal or I c people running away if it is hahahha love it
If it real great
If it is a planted Apple prototype well done them 
we might have a bigger surprise when it is launched.
I like it. And going from 3g to that will be a great leap.
I really like it, also. But just because it’s real doesn’t necessarily mean this is the final design.
I’m off to go look at spray paints now.
Goodness! Steve Jobs is gonna kill someone with a multi-touch gesture!
Illuminati Apple
I bet this is fake and some man or woman is laughing their ass off at all this “leaked information and photos” appearing online.
Gizmodo, and others here, are actually incorrect in claiming the MacBooks aren’t rounded. The back of the MacBook’s monitor (which is attached to the black glass) is indeed, rounded… as is the iPad’s.
ugly? this is much nicer then the model we have now. I’ll be happy to upgrade while you guys keep compaining u bunch of crybaby’s. waaaaaaaaaaaaa i want curved edges. give me a break
I wonder if one would be able to pop that micro sim into an ipad and use its internet connection
It looks okay. I’m not overly happy with the design but I know when it comes out I’ll still probably get it. I actually like the look of the so called- iPhone HD in the YouTube videos. Who really knows. This could be it or it could be the furthest from the truth. One thing I do like and love is all of the next generation iPhone talk. It has me very excited!!!!!
U-G-L-Y
So since this has a MicroSIM does that mean us unlockers (t-mobile) are now out of luck? I will never sign up with ATT…
Nicer than the existing iphone design, but not sure that this will ultimately spec out better than the Evo…
Don’t know about the rest of you guys, but I love it!
This thing is UGLY. I hate it.
i think it looks beautiful. i especially like how innocuous the cameras look, they blend into the design in a wonderfully understated way.
i think the final design will be slightly different though, possibly without the front facing camera.
im just laughing at all you guys who are saying its ugly but i can guarantee you buy the thing!!!!!
looking at the two side by side, the new iphone looks much sleeker:
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/04/500x_comp1.jpg
the 3GS looks bloated by comparison.
also, i imagine this thing is a delight to hold. metal and glass alone will result in a much better build quality and feel than metal, glass and plastic.
i’m curious if those who think the design is ugly have any reasons why they think so, other than that it doesn’t look “flashy” enough? personally, i think it looks higher quality, more refined and sleeker than the previous designs.
i miss the “feel” of the first generation phone, compared to the 3G series phones, which always felt a little bit cheaply made by comparison. i’m looking forward to seeing apple get back to that high build quality feel, fit and finish.
@striatic – you can drop the 500x_ to get the full sized image: http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/04/comp1.jpg
You can’t really judge it until you hold it and play with it. The weight and feel of it definitely will factor in. Either way, I think it looks nice.
Hell NO, NOoooo, Hell No… and so on Hell NOOOOOOO !!!!!
Its damn ugly, I will buy one take it apart and install it into an iphone 3GS case, lol
Nah, lets be serious the front looks nice, but anything else is crap.
Next “real thing” rumor please !!!
To tipb: Guys please please stop posting these rumors I beg you
… nah … keep posting I love them 
)
It’s not the new iPhone and you all know it. These sites are doing the same thing they do every year. Throw something out there that has iPhone on at to throw people off till June. And to keep the hype going. Sorry but this looks like something that would be cool in the 90′s.
There’s no way ive designed this. If so he’s lost it.
This is it!
I’m liking it. Half of you throw it in a case anyways..what’s the point?
I also like the screen being the same size or slightly smaller. So glad they didn’t go the Evo route..
To those claiming these types of leaks always come out and turn out to be fake, I don’t think there’s ever been an iPhone leak quite like this. The thing is quite polished to be a fake. Also, I think the biggest “smoking gun” here is the micro-sim slot. While I think it’s true the form factor could end up being different, you can pretty much bank on the new iPhone having a front facing camera, flash, higher res screen, bigger battery, etc.
there’s also something really elegant about how the front looks so similar to the back, especially with both sides having a camera.
“Sorry but this looks like something that would be cool in the 90’s.”
apple design has never been about cool trends. it is about iconic, functional, timeless design. this certainly fits the bill. if you want to learn about how apple [and Ive specifically] approaches design, i recommend watching the film “Objectified”, which contains an interview with Ive.
watch the interview and see how the design objectives don’t start from the point of making the product “look cool”, but by elevating the aesthetic qualities of the most functional, well thought out possible design.
the 2 buttons are for more functions, besides volume, camera shot or for games (imagine, you have a racing game and want to switch perspective, or look back etc.) with the current volume-buttons this is not really possible.
Why doesn’t Gizmodo just give it to Geohot. I’m sure he can get it jump started…
I like the look of it. The evidence does seem to indicate that Apple had a hand in designing this thing, but I’m not quite ready to jump from that to the conclusion that “this is definitely THE iPhone that Apple is releasing this year.” Seems to me that it could be a prototype that might still be significantly different than the final consumer product.
After giving the new phone a good look at Giz, I think it looks really nice. Nice, of course, is not something that I would expect from Apple – I expect to have my hair stand on end and my socks blown off.
The specs sound wonderful – though a smaller screen? – and if the camera is really an upgrade (ie. the pics are actually better, versus just having better specs), then it will be a good upgrade. + iPhone OS 4.0 = killer.
All that being said – I’m very glad that I went ahead and bought my white 3GS. And if 4.0 doesn’t kill Stoneloops, that upgrade to the 3GS will be plenty for me.
I reserve the right to change my mind once I actually get my hands on the new phone!
Come on people you real think this is the final product? This happens all the time.
this Jr. High rumor marketing is F’N ANNOYING!!! the “new” form makes no sense. Mac pros n’ ipads r comin’ out slim and w curves. So the new iPhone is gonna be a brick?! Boooooo! If it is true I’m not buying. I’ll stay with my 3g with multi-tasking.
@Joe McG:
True, Every release we fall for this, like Lucy jerking the football away from Charlie Brown, and every time its fake.
But this is the most elaborate fake ever, one “leaked” into the hands of a web site. A site that promptly took it apart.
(I wonder what the consequences are to Gismodo for taking apart a device they knew was not theirs, and they knew who the owner was. Can these guys be that confident lawyers won’t descend on them?)
Not Fake but a Plant is my guess. A diversionary plant.
Why would apple want to do divert anything from iPad sales right now? I’m betting they’d like that device back right about now.
thanks but does anybody know when MS phone WP7 going to be out:P
If you compare the size the new phone does seem sleeker. From certain angles though (notably back, sides) the 3GS looks like the more futuristic phone and the hard angles of the 4G/HD an older design.
On another note, I don’t think the look of the 4G/HD would translate well as an ipod touch. I wonder if the ipod touch will continue the current curvy shape.
Looks great to me. The side by side pic makes the chrome 3GS look dated and the frame around the new screen looks like it is only about 2mm. That is a big improvement. ….but is it real? Seems likely.
H. I. D. I. O. U. S.
@icebike
Totally agree. Although I think it’s important to point out that it is not impossible that an actual iPhone 4 gets out by accident. In fact, it’s amazing that it doesn’t happen more often.
I think it looks and sounds cool. I’ll upgrade my 3GS if this ends up being the real deal.
not a rhetorical question – why does “looks more futuristic” equate to “looking better”?
and what makes something look more futuristic? smooth curves? why should smooth curves represent the future?
This is the most polished “fake” to date. I still think its a prototype, maybe even years old, but who knows. If I were a betting man I’d say the G4 iPhone will be different than this, but if this it, I’m getting it
@striatic:
Rhetorical non-Answer: It doesn’t look more futuristic, and it doesn’t look any better. Its a pretty ugly phone if you ask me.
Design trends make something look newer if it is different than what is common. Slab sidedness in a world of smooth phones makes it look different, but it could also simply be an industrial case design designed for dropping in different test assemblies. Smooth fits in pockets, purses. slabsidedness abandons everything Apple ever did with this phone.
Jony Ivy is dead.
i think this is fake. apple won’t let this to happen. i’m sure the iphone is on the lab under strict vigilance.
Doesnt it seem a little weird that someone would leave a “prototype” just sitting there in a bar???? Seriously! No one who would have been lucky enough to test one would be careless enough to leave it anywhere accidently. I think this is all planted to get everyone talking about the new phone.
A smaller screen? Look at it! There’s plenty of room to make the screen bigger! I want to see more of my higher res apps not less of them!!
I love the fact that it doesnt have that chrome siding… I hate the chrome siding… It scratches and dings so easily.
For everyonewho says this is ugly.. As soon as Stevie dreamseller tells you how beautiful and amazing this phone is.. You will all be on here repeating what he says word for word because everyone knows all you fanboy are sheep
I like it alot it looks pretty slick cant wait to get my hands on one if its real!!!!!!!
if this is the real deal i have no idea what my next phone will be :/ definately not this one
I think it looks great, personally. I think y’all folks who think it’s ugly just fear change.
“We found a phone that we know doesn’t belong to us so naturally we kept it and stripped the sh*t out of it.”
Nothing wrong with that.
I personally like the look. I would buy it.
NOO! this looks ugly… and a mirosd slot? WTF?! i dont want no micro sd… i mean we will be getting a 64GB version right? -.-darn brick. Looks like a brick now… i wanted the 3GS form factor
@ruben cruz nah not really. Not all of us are fanboys. If THAT is the thing that’s coming out, i’ll have to test it out BEFORe jumping in to see if it… well idk, i like it and it feels comfortable.
“Hypothetically” if this is the new iPhone… - the design looks a lot like Apple’s notebook designs. I know some people don’t, but I actually like it a lot to be honest. - a smaller screen, even if it is of a better resolution, would not be a good thing. - Video chat is really going to put some strain (I would think) on the networks, but I suspect it would finally bring video chat to the main stream. Betcha those people that got the 6GB data plan from Rogers (Canada) are going “phew” and smiling.
Quick question: the earlier photos did not have an Apple logo, nor did they say iPhone on the back.
Where exactly did this SECOND one come from?
If it’s real, (it might be)…against all my better judgement, I really like the way it looks. I’m usually all for curves, but I actually like it. Sadly, I’m tied into my 3GS contract until at least March 2011, and I can’t be bothered to buy it out yet again (unless I get super rich), so I’ll probably just have to wait for the 2011 model.
@Rob i was asking myself the same question
it looks like
I think it’s a real Apple prototype, but I wonder whether there is more than one prototype with different designs at this stage.
I’ll admit that I’m surprised by the front facing camera.
I think its fake because it has the FCC logo….. if Apple had the 4th gen iphone Approved by the FCC we would have found out about it by now…
Did I mention how much I hate that it has a smaller screen?
Other than that it’s a pretty cool design. The back is absolutely stunning. I love how it’s flat, and the camera and flash don’t protrude or sink into it. I’m not too crazy about the sides or the volume buttons, but when you think about functionality, the buttons almost seem like they could be used for some pretty cool stuff like a camera shutter button or game buttons. Now if they only had made the screen bigger I would’ve been so happy :/
So if the next one does get a micro SIM, does that increase the value of used 3GS’s sold to T-Mobile customers. I’m thinking it might. If so, I know I’ll be selling my jailbroken 3GS and buying the new model for little out of pocket.
@Lollipopjones:
The FCC id is clearly a place holder. Its full of XXXXXs. The question is, why put that on the phone at all? Isn’t putting an FCC id on a device (even a bogus ID) sort of like fraud? How about those other symbols from other testing/certification agencies? More Fraud?
I can’t wait to be able to talk to people with a front facing camera
Finally.!! Go Apple.!