Fourth-generation iPhone cases match Apple's prototype design

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Photos of new iPhone third-party protective cases show accessories that were designed to meet the physical form factor of Apple's prototype fourth-generation handset.

As first discovered by HardMac, the cases from China feature the same rounded corners found in two prototype iPhones that leaked to the public. The back of the case features a larger space for both the camera and accompanying flash, and the side features holes for two rounded volume buttons.

The report noted that the cases are ready to ship, even though the next-generation iPhone has not yet been formally announced. Apple is expected to introduce the device at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, set to kick off on June 7.

The purported design of Apple's forthcoming iPhone has been photographed extensively, thanks to two high-profile leaks of the hardware. Most recently, a Vietnamese website obtained a prototype handset and dismantled it, revealing an A4 microprocessor and 256MB of system RAM powering the device. Prior to that, Gizmodo bought a prototype left at a bar for $5,000 and also disassembled the device to confirm it was made by Apple.

The new hardware features a forward-facing camera, an improved rear camera (believed to be 5 megapixels), a higher resolution display expected to be 960x640 pixels, and a second microphone expected to be used for noise canceling. Like the iPad, it relies on a Micro-SIM card for connectivity with a GSM wireless cellular network.

The new cases from China are designed to fit the shape of the prototype, which has a back that is completely flat, and reportedly made of a new material to improve cell reception. The new hardware also has split buttons for volume, which some have theorized could serve as a physical camera shutter button.

💬 38 Comments

drummertist

said about 12 years ago

That looks like the Ideal Case Circle Series cases from www.ideal-case.com. I know those are exported from China. It doesn't make sense to make the case before you can mold the phone. They probably have a terrible fit.

oflife

said about 12 years ago

As an iPhone 3GS 32G user, I spent over 20 minutes playing with an HTC Desire the other day, and the larger screen makes ALL the difference. In particular to typing on the on screen keyboard.

If the new iPhone really does feature a smaller screen, they have lost a customer in me. I sold my 3GS yesterday, and on June 7, if the new iPhone really is as un-inspired as the rumors, I'm migrating to Android and going for the HTC Desire.

Apple cannot rely on the App store forever. With services like MSpot and the more open platform offered by Android, if they don't stay leaps and bounds ahead and fix the call quality flaws with the iPhone, people will migrate. Just look at the Android USA figures.

I have owned masses of Apple products, love the company - am typing this on one of their most underrated products (Mac Mini), but think their one step behind approach to some features is starting to get annoying. Am fed up of waiting.

lighteningkid

said about 12 years ago

Do they really know something or are they reacting to the same leaks that everyone else is counting on, in order to get a jump on things?

anonymouse

said about 12 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

The new hardware also has split buttons for volume, which some have theorized could serve as a physical camera shutter button.

Without any additional evidence, I don't see how split volume buttons make it any more likely they could be used as a camera shutter button than the current volume button(s), which could just as easily have served that purpose.

yalskey

said about 12 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oflife

Am fed up of waiting.

For real man... what's it been, like almost a year since the last iPhone came out? I mean what takes them a year to do? It's not like this is bleeding edge technology... it's a phone with a big screen... can't Apple innovate and re-invent their phone to keep up with competitors like every 45 days?

/sarcasm