Another supposed part leak from Apple's next generation iPhone 5 has shown up online. The component is listed as a headphone jack/earpiece/Wi-fi antenna. The iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 parts are grouped a bit differently -- but that's not what we find interesting. If this is indeed a part from the next generation iPhone, I don't think what it's listed as is what we're actually looking at. I think it's possible we're looking at Apple's new micro dock connector, the one iMore first reported on back in February.
While it is correct that the headphone jack, volume buttons, and mute switch are grouped together on one component in the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, I don't believe that's what this component is at all. The picture above is a photo of an iPhone 4S with an iPhone 4 dock connector below it. As you can see, the part leak shares a pretty strong resemblance to the dock connector and loud speaker of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. What I think we are actually looking at is a dock connector/loud speaker/cellular antenna assembly. Currently the dock connector and loud speaker are on the same assembly but the cellular antenna is its own component that is fastened to the speaker housing with adhesive and a set of screws.
People also tend to confuse the Wi-Fi antenna (which is actually located in the top portion of the iPhone 4 and 4S) with the cellular antenna located in the bottom portion along with the housing. Above you can see a photo of an iPhone 4 cellular antenna. If you refer back to the supposed iPhone 5 part leak photo, you can see the resemblance to a cellular antenna, which actually would make a bit more sense considering these parts are all grouped in similar areas already. The fasteners are very similar though so I wouldn't rule out it being a Wi-Fi antenna just yet.
What intrigues me the most about this image is that the dock connector (which is what I believe it is along the bottom) does indeed look quite a bit smaller than the current version. This lines up with the new iMore broke back in February -- that Apple would be ditching the traditional 30-pin dock connector and going with a smaller micro dock connector in the next generation iPhone.
While this could be a component for the iPhone 5, it's also too early to assume that this is the final assembly Apple will go with as we've heard reports that the design has not been finalized just yet.
We'll just have to wait and see.
Source: PirateXMac via MacRumors
Reader comments
Rumored iPhone 5 parts show new layout, micro dock
I was hoping the microdock was a myth. I have to buy car chargers and a new iHome this year, too? Great.
Part of me wants to think that Apple wouldn't implement this new dock connector without making an adapter with the current version. I wouldn't focus much on the dock connector for now outside of it possibly might bring an improved/new capability to the phone. (fingers crossed)
Same here. I'd hope Apple would include some type of adapter if this rumor is true. And even though I own iHome products, I'd hate to buy new ones......they're not exactly cheap.
Who knows? If this new phone isn't an "A+ upgrade", a mini dock connector could be a deal breaker for me.
This new iphone 5 part is ugly :P
Ha!
Doesn't really matter to me. I don't have any docks for my iPhone/iPad and the end is still going to terminate into a standard USB port so all my chargers will continue to work.
I'm not even excited about docks. Anything worth having should be supporting Airplay for audio or bluetooth.
My company services iPhones, I've disassembled every iPhone made more times than I can count! That does look like the lower dock assembly, but also looks like the headphone jack is there as well. The small gold colored rectangle is a microphone. The iPhone 4 & 4s both have microphones at the top and bottom of the phone. The one at the top is a noise cancellation mic. Hopefully that smaller connector is actually a top end mini HDMI connector for HD video output! Considering Apple has used the same dock connector on all iDevices for the last 6 years or so, seems odd they would change it now. Anything is possible I guess! The cable like connector you see is an antenna connector, which is used typically on the cellular antenna located at the bottom of the iPhone 4 and 4s on the dock assembly. So its possible they are moving the headphone jack to the bottom of the phone like the iPod touch. We'll know in September!
Could it be for an iPod touch? They have the headphone plug ins located on the bottom near the dock, correct? So this part could be for that instead.
I'm gonna be pissed if there is a new micro-dock and no way to adapt it to use older accessories. I've got older boom boxes and FM transmitters than don't work with iPhone 4/4S, and that's with the same 30-pin connector that they decided to change inside. To have all my other accessories that I own become obsolete is gonna suck rotten eggs!
Need a new iHome. The one I have doesn't charge anything we have anymore. So figure I'll wait for the new iPhone before I get any. I bet any accessories that have the new dock connector will have an adapter for the 30-pin.
iPhone 5?
Micro-USB connection? Didn't apple along with lots of other companies in Europe commit to a standard connector to charge cell phones?
Yes, they have an adapter for that. Much, much cheaper to make an adapter than to redesign the iPhone for two different dock connections. It's only available in Europe, to the best of my knowledge.
The Rumors has been started ;)
Lol I love it now a new way to charge is a feature... Can't wait to see the mobile phone world on 5 years
I think that is a regular connector and the whole thing is bigger, designed for the 7" iPad.
My thoughts too. It looks really wide.
I'm sorry, but in that pic with the iPhone 4 dock connector beside it, the two dock connectors look exactly the same size. What am I missing?
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