14 
9to5mac and iFixyouri say this could be the back for the next iPhone. If real, the next iPhone would have an aluminum alloy back, bigger speakers, and a smaller dock connector.
Apparently the part comes from a Chinese supplier who, according to iFixyouri, is reliable. But not even they know if it is for an actual product or a prototype. This more or less lines up with past rumours of a metal backed iPhone and a smaller dock connector, but then again, you could probably find rumours to back any combination of features you’d ever think of.
Also worth noting is that the sides of the phone are part of the back plate, which would essentially create a box for the screen and guts to sit in. And not to jump the gun on this, but if that subtle two-tone look ended up in the final product, we wouldn’t be opposed. [9to5mac]
Is This Apple's New iPhone Dock Connector?
What's Really Going On With Apple's New Dock Connector
The Next iPhone's Foolproof Dock Connector
Come on Gizmodo you’re a little slow, white versions have been shown since this was news :p
http://www.macrumors.com/2012/05/29/claimed-rear-shell-with-sides-for-next-generation-iphone-surfaces/
I like the look, it’s like the original iPhone, and a headphone jack on the bottom (like the iPod touch and my HD7) makes a lot more sense.
Hahaha look at that new connector.. So many wasted Speaker Docks
Hopefully some kind of adaptor will be available or yes it will be a big pain for people.
more pictures here btw http://9to5mac.com/2012/05/29/photos-black-and-white-next-generation-metal-iphone-backs-mini-dock-taller-screen-moved-earphone-jack-present/
Sounds kinda un-Apple to me
I recall there being a new EU law that all phone chargers had to be the same by a certain date. Maybe this is for that?
I think only a few manufacturers joined, Apple would not join this willingly. I could be wrong of course.
Yeah Apple agreed that’s why they sell a mini usb to dock connector adaptor, that’s all they needed to do to comply.
I am may sound like a douche, but an adapter seems like it is what is causing all the problems for the users.
From what I recall, all phones had to be able to be charged via micro USB, hence Apple brought out the this adapter http://bit.ly/nt4W3S
Remember all those iPhone 4S rumours? None were true….
One rumour was true, the one you said about it being a major let down.
I second that opinion Mark.
It appears Apple designers still think 2005 LG fridges are cool, pun intended – fugly, Apple are in disarray.
Everyone said that about the first pictures of the iPhone 4 if you rememeber, but as soon as it was confirmed as a Apple product everyone, and I mean everyone in the press, said how great it looked, what an amazing design etc.
couldn’t disagree more. the back, which is what the pictures show, looks sweet. I’m more averse to having the straight edges like the 4 and 4S – it could curve round like the original iPhone and sorta like the One X.
Aye, phone aesthetics are deeply subjective.
I just find Apple have been boring over the last few years. I think with so much money in the market smartphone designers are scared to be creative and progressive. I think Nokia have been brave with their windows line. Samsung kinda throw everything at the wall to see what stuck, and it was Apple-esque – so the S3 is also fairly brave for them.
I’d like to see something risky and edgy, turquoise and black, maybe orange, black and silver. How come luxury fashion cars like this look: http://www.newzy.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/McLaren-F1-2013_thumb.jpg
And smartphones look so boring?
But really like the idea of a modular milled titanium phone, with screws all other the place, so you can replace or upgrade a screen with four allen key bolts, pop out a processing block for a quad core upgrade, replace comms card for 4G tech, basically update and upgrade any phone configurion from a key set of parts for any pocket, then wrap a rubber shell or back and side panels on it – it wouldn’t be the slickest and slimmest design, but a geek’s urban utility dream.
I think I’ll be an old man before we get that sorta tech. Would be rather awesome though.
The Lumia range is the dog’s bollocks in smartphone aesthetics. I think the latest RAZR is also very well designed, as well as the obvious, One X. I think any of these phones looks better than an iPhone, with the Lumia 800/900 absolutely blowing it out of the water.
Not only is the hardware boring on iPhone now, but the software looks like it hasn’t had a designer for the past 3 years. Again, the Windows Phones completely destroy iPhone on this front, and I definitely prefer Android’s new design framework over their’s too.
And yet Apple products are widely regarded the most design-forward… o_O
I cant see this been the next “iphone” looks way to similar in design to the current iphone 4 and iphone 4S and then going form one material to two materials on the back makes it look cheap. Plus the speaker holes make it look like a cheap piece of C***. FAKE!!
Why isn’t Jesus Diaz writing this, isn’t he the inhouse fanboy, or is it because he is too ashamed after his other article! http://gizmodo.com/5912327/why-the-next-iphone-wont-be-169
I happen to think he was spot on with that article to be honest, he was very balanced with the positive and negative points and if it 16-9 I think they will have made a huge mistake.
Is it only me that thinks that back looks ugly?? Really?? The 4 and 4S are so much more better looking.
I totally agree, I remember reading somewhere that the next iphones hardware was been tested by employees but inside current iphone 4 shells. If the screen size is to change then the shell would have to fit that, i think these cases are what we see here. The chamfers around the phone are the same I dont thing the die hard apple fans will want a 3rd phone that carrys the same look.
Yeh I see what you mean about them not wanting it to look the same but surely they can make it look different but in a different way. The 4 and 4S are sexy but they cant be the pinnacle of phone design, apple need to start doing some creative thinking again with their designers.