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That alleged aluminium iPhone 5 backplate that got snapped out-in-the-wild with a smaller dock connector last month has been caught on video this time, and it certainly looks plausible.
It doesn’t really show us anything new that the photos didn’t, but it’s good to see it paired-up and compared with an iPhone 4S. The backplate seems to have a unibody design integrating the antennae band. If this is real, let’s hope Apple’s sorted the death grip and interference issues once and for all.
I can’t say I was overly enamoured with the switch to glass for the iPhone 4/4S’s back — nothing has quite beaten the look of the original 2G iPhone for me — so a return to an aluminium back gets the thumbs up from me, if this is real of course. [ETradeSupply via CydiaBlog via Apple Insider]
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Very sceptical here. The large pause of the background of E TRADE SUPPLY makes me think it’s a cheeky viral.
looks plausibly?
Sam just changed it from “plausibly real” to “plausible”…but forgot to change the last letter
Plausibly plausible.
Guilty as charged.
One small note: headphone jack has been moved from the top to the bottom, like the iPod Touch range.
I just watched the last part of the video. Nevermind. XD
Although, I reckon a video make it slightly more plausible that it could be real, Mock-ups/leaks for this design have been up for long enough to actually crack out a quick prototype/concept model.
mmm…aloominum. looks tasty.
I don’t think it’s real, it doesn’t look like an Apple product to me, it changes their whole design language. Nor do I think they’d change the headphone port or have the iPhone text on the back floating like that: It would have driven Jobs insane!
It’ll probably sit just above the usual model info/serial number that they have on all their stuff.
The operative word there is ‘would’. Jobs is dead, it doesn’t matter whether it would have driven him insane or not.
That could be the reason why they’ve changed it now he’s not around anymore.
It looks like a tacky piece of plastic junk! I bet this is some cheap mock up etrade supply have made in an attempt to get some cheap publicity!
You won’t be saying that when the Iphone 5 is announced and does look like this.
Time will tell!
I notice Jesus Diaz is staying well clear of these articles……. I suppose i would too if i had written an essay preaching about why apple would never increase the screen size of the iphone, and then saw these images.
OR maybe it’s because Jesus lives in NYC, so has only just started work this hour? There’s usually a simple explanation for everything, isn’t there?
These back plate images have been around for about a week now, there was even an article on here about them. There’s been plenty of time to comment.
YES, I appreciate that, but this video that Sam posted today probably wasn’t seen by Jesus.
I really don’t know what your point is, if I’m honest. Jesus doesn’t “own” the subject.
well he seems to “own” every other single article relating to the iphone, barring the ones that contradict his apple world view
Yea I wonder what will happen if it is bigger. I would feel silly if I went on a massive rant about why Apple would absolutely not increse the screen size for the new iPHone and then they did.
Eh, people get it wrong sometimes — just look at BlackBerry.
The images were posted last week and the inhouse apple fanboy was no where to be seen….. hide your face jesus….hide your face
We don’t ban commenters here on Giz UK, but might I suggest you find another site to read if you’re just going to troll?
ah, im only messin’
love the site
This is obviously a nicely stamped aluminium part with several different surface treatments on it (no doubt hipped to increase rigidity).
It is also most likely a prototype part, where they are experimenting with new form factors, connector placement (Putting the headphone connector at the bottom makes sense as you put your phone into your pocket with the top of the screen facing down. Anybody declaring that they don’t obviously compromised with juggling when they get a text/call)
As to the overall design of the piece it follows the Dieter Rams 10 rules of design (of which Ive observes and follows). They are clearly experimenting with packaging, from the inside view it tells me that this part has undergone a 4-5 stamp process, the first few to draw up the sides, then to punch holes for location etc… and then machining of threaded bosses on the inside (I could be wrong, this is just a theory).
I wouldn’t be surprised if after stamping the main chassis, other parts were injection molded around the frame to avoid gluing processes (Its silly not to considering the scale of manufacture of this bleepbloop).
As to the decal placement, this is a prototype part, things like decals and whatnot is just fluff and can be changed quite simply, declaring that this is a fake will give me an opportunity to say “I told you so” if this particular prototype makes it through selection. Concentrating on these is quite short sighted.
No doubt apple will be upset that a prototype has leaked out, as they are probably concerned about giving the game away before their hype machine can get too work.
Great comment…and username
Or perhaps it was leaked purposefully, to throw us all off our scent?
OT- Giffgaff.com is down for me, is it for everyone else?
Just you.
I REALLY hope this isn’t the shape of the iPhone5. It’s the same shape as the 4 and in my opinion the iPhone4 (which I own) is the least comfortable-to-hold phone on the market. I was hoping for a nice curved back. Also, if this IS the new iPhone exterior many will be disappointed that after 2 years of waiting and the utter let down the 4S was, the new one is the same shape and not much thinner or more comfortable to hold. Here’s hoping this is just a spoof looking for internet attention.
IF it’s true, no more noise cancelling mic?
It’s located next to the camera I believe.
Not convinced this is the real thing… Although a bigger screen will be welcomed.
It looks to be just as slim as the current phone, only taller?
Interesting that everyone seems to be referring to this as the iphone 5.
It’s actually the 6th generation of iPhone, so I can’t imagine Apple calling it the iPhone 5.
Obviously, calling it the iPhone 6, after having the iPhone 4S, is also kind of strange.
Personally, I would guess we’ll have the new iPhone, similarly to how we’ve had the new iPad (ie Drop the number/letter modifier). The iPhone is, after all, now Apple’s only product line with a (quasi-)numerical naming system. So it seems logical to have it follow the iPad and drop it, especially given the naming difficulties above.
What do you guys think?
They could also name it “iPhone 4G”. It would make sense, as it would point out one of the main upgrades of the product, especially if the new screen remain 3.5″ (which I really hope it does).
However, I would prefer it if it was named “iPhone”. It would be a lot simpler.
I didn’t consider iPhone 4G, actually. Quite a good point, but given the trouble they’ve had with the iPad Wifi + 4G branding, it’s unlikely they’d want to repeat that. At the very least, it would be called something different to iPhone 4G outside of the US.
I prefer just ‘iPhone’ too. It fits with Apple’s simple design aesthetic – though not the weird striped backplate above. Haha.
I forgot about the troubles they have been having with the iPad branding. I must admit, If it has both a 4″ screen and 4G, iPhone 4 would make a pretty good name for it. But that’s already been taken, so…