Iphone 5

Adding more -- if decidedly similar -- fuel to iPhone 5 rumor fire, China Times is reporting that trial production has begun on the device, and that it does indeed have a 4-inch screen, metal back/chassis, NFC (near field communications), and perhaps an improved antenna and dual GSM/CDMA support. All this packed into pretty much the same form factor as iPhone 4.

They claim, however, it will only ramp up production in Q3, 2011 (July to September) which would be later than Apple's typical summer release schedule.

9to5Mac says a source at Foxconn -- Apple's Shenzhen based manufacturer -- has sneaked them some details about iPhone 5, namely it keeping the same form factor as iPhone 4 but switching the back glass for metal and bumping up the screen size.

Although some reports claim the iPhone 5 will adopt a curved metal back, our source says models have been floating around with a flat metal back. The material of this metal is unspecified. Our brains say aluminum but our hearts wonder if this could be Liquid Metal.

Despite recent rumors, NFC (Near Field Communication) may not be included in the iPhone 5, according to UK newspaper The Independent. The information apparently comes from sources at several of the largest UK mobile operators. They claim that Apple disclosed in meetings that it would not be included as Apple had concerns over the lack of a clear standard across the industry. NFC is an RFID-related technology that allows for secure, close range data transfer including but not limited to payment information.

Another iPhone 5 rumor has surfaced overnight and again it is emanating from a Chinese site that claims to have some engineering diagrams of the iPhone 5.

The images resemble the current iPhone 4 with the exception of the screen. The screen appears larger and takes up most of the front face with an extremely slim bezel. The images do resemble a previous leak of the front panel which many claimed were fake.

We just got what appears to be mold engineering drawings for iPhone 5. These would be used by case designers to create plastic, TPU, aluminum, silicone and leather cases. A while back we hear rumors that iPhone 5 would have a curved back but these images show iPhone 5 with the same form factor as iPhone 4 but with an edge to edge screen.

It is certainly not unusual for case manufacturers to receive information in advance of a new Apple product launch. We have recently seen iPad 2 information leaked in a similar way and turn out to be accurate.

We don’t know if this is real at this stage but the idea of a larger screen in a similar sized form factor is very appealing. There are a few more images after the break; take a look, then let us know what you think? Would you like a larger screen without a dramatic increase in the size of the device?

[iDeals China via MacRumors]