Probably not iPhone 5 cases leak
More reports are springing up that the next generation iPhone 5 will feature a thinner, tapered hardware design based off images of 3rd party silicone cases. Now this is not the first time we've come across rumors of what the new hardware will look like. It all started as early as April when we heard about a completely new design and then again earlier this month we heard similar reports of a thinner and lighter device.
However, iPhone 5 -- assuming that's what Apple calls it -- from what TiPb has been hearing for a few months now, from very reliable sources, the next generation of iPhone hardware will look very, very close to the current iPhone 4 design. It will not take on the design of the iPhone 3GS or iPod touch. It will not be moving backwards.
Now Apple often does work on more than one concept, a more audacious design that changes a lot (like iPhone 3GS to iPhone 4) and a more conservative model if the audacious one doesn't work out (like iPhone 3G to iPhone 3GS), so it's possible the different rumors are based on leaks from different concepts.
It's also possible the 3rd party cases appearing with this shape are harbingers of iPhone nano concepts instead, or simply next generation iPod touch cases (with added iPad-style mute switch).
Bottom line is do not get your hopes up for a newly redesigned iPhone 5. Expect a better camera along with the dual core A5 chip with the same externals. That way, at worst, you won't be disappointed, and at best, you'll be surprised.
[9to5Mac]
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I like the square edges..
50/50... I might agree with your belief on the rounded back not happening but I don't believe Apple goes an entire year and a half then puts out the same form factor with a upgraded processor and camera. No way. The screen will at least stretch and I believe like some of the rumors that the home button will become a pad for enhanced gestures. IOS-5 is going to be awesome but not enough to put the same phone out with it as the only change. Not buying it (well I am buying it) but don't see it the same.
I totally agree. If everything was released in June/July as usual then we could definately expect the same design. But we are now gonna be over a year with nothing released till "fall." Plus, with all the problems and bad press Apple got for a design with the antenna as the main strucute of the phone, I would be upset if Apple didn't take the right steps to come up with a better design that would help fix that problem. AND why couldn't Apple be going in a direction of consistency? Maybe the curve back would return but this time metal/aluminum with a colored white/black front like iPad 2? I am hoping for a redesign cause I am not a fan of this i4 design at all.
iPhone 4 design is the beat apple has come out with. O am not fussed on having a curved back.
I don't see a departure from the iPhone 4 design as a step backwards. The current design is bad, it's beautiful, but it's too slippery and fragile, and too heavy for its size, it cannot live outside cases or bumpers, it's more of a concept than a practical design, not to mention the antenna issue. No phone that cannot survive a two feet drop on a hard floor should be sold.
Going the touch route would be even worse
iPhone 4 + Bumper = awesome
They should make iPhone 5 like iPhone 4 only with a permanent bumper
Doesnt the iPod touch have the headphone jack on the bottom? This case shows it on top therefore more likely to be new iPhone. I think the phone needs a redesign and a bigger screen. The screen looks small now compared to cone of the new samsung and htc phones.
True but designs can always change (talking about the headphone jack)
Going the touch route would be a huge mistake. Phones are not ment to be that thin.
And why not?
Because the internals just wont fit.
wont happen. Keep dreaming kid
They said the same thing about the ipad 1
All I have to say is anteanna-gate/glass-gate. New design. 100%
The one on the right looks more like an iPod touch case