The latest picture was discovered by Apple.pro (via Google Translate), and shows a back panel allegedly for Apple's fifth-generation iPhone. The purported part shows a hole as usual on the left side for the camera lens, while the space for the accompanying LED flash has been moved to the far right side of the device.
Moving the lens and LED flash farther apart could allow for better quality pictures on a next-generation iPhone. Such a change can reduce the red eye effect that sometimes appears in photos.
The site obtained the photo from a microblog, and noted that they could not verify the authenticity of the picture. However, the photo supports information from a previously discovered third-party case, as well as alleged "iPhone 5" components.
Earlier this month, the same site shared photos claiming to show a fifth-generation iPhone rear camera, without an attached LED flash. That would be a change from the iPhone 4, with which the LED flash and camera lens are one component.
The alleged parts were revealed about the same time a third-party case was discovered online. That case showed the camera flash and lens with new positioning, as well as a slightly larger edge-to-edge display.
Though Apple.pro is not the direct source of the latest alleged component, the site has been the source of numerous Apple-related hardware leaks in the past, including the tiny touchscreen that last year became the centerpiece of the new iPod nano.
In February the site claimed that Apple was evaluating three new smartphone prototypes for potential release in the future. One of those models was said to include a physical slide-out keyboard, though it was not known whether the company actually intended to bring such a product to market, and rumors of such a device have not persisted.
23 Comments
Does moving the flash further apart reduce red-eye, as claimed in the article? If so how come point-and-shoots have red-eye issues?
What is this, like the 4th post on this issue? Is it really that important? Slow news day maybe?
Does moving the flash further apart reduce red-eye, as claimed in the article? If so how come point-and-shoots have red-eye issues?
Moving the flash helps red eye, but does not eliminate it. Apple probably moved the flash to keep the light that reflects off near surfaces of the camera and goes into the lens from affecting the pictures. Eyes get red by reflecting the light straight back to the camera lens, the further the lens is away from the light source the less light gets bounced straight back. You really need to be 8 or 9 inches for it to be real effective to move the light source. The other method used is to pre-flash the subject so that the pupil will close down some, this reduces the amount of light that enters and leaves the eye.
Does moving the flash further apart reduce red-eye, as claimed in the article? If so how come point-and-shoots have red-eye issues?
Moving the flash two inches from the lens does very little to reduce red-eye, which is why typical point-and-shoot cameras still exhibit this shortcoming.
What this may do is improve picture quality by reducing lens flare from an adjacent flash.
As launch date for iphone 5 draws closer, I guess the speculations about specifications will soon reach fever pitch. The re-spacing of the camera flash further from the lens is worthwhile, but in the whole scheme of things is the least of Apple's problems.
I will be very disappointed if iPhone 5 is simply a speed bump of the existing design. Attractive as the iPhone 4 is, it needs major work if Apple is to stay on top:
1. The antenna issue is real for a lot of users; worse still, even for those for whom it is not, it introduces an element of uncertainty: is my iPhone as good as it could or should be? Is it worth what I paid for it?
2. Equally annoying, the glass on the front and back is extremely prone to breakages should you drop it. This was not the case with the iPhone 3GS. For me the physical design of the iPhone was a step backwards versus the previous one. Sure the iPhone 4 is more capable, but it is less robust.
3. I don't know how many times it's been said, but most of us, don't want a thinner phone. We want longer battery life. So instead of making it thinner again, just give us a bigger battery.
4. I also want a larger screen - not a whole lot larger but 4"-5" would be perfect. (I'm a grumpy middle-aged man, and my eyes are just not as good as they used to be - I struggle to read text on the iPhone at times). The software also needs updating so that larger text sizes can easily be selected.
5. The flimsy silent mode switch needs beefing-up.
6. Put a protective steel bezel around the screen.
7. Replace glass back with aluminium or plastic.
8. Ensure phone can be held securely in the hand - iPhone 4 is too slippery. The rear glass panel means it literally slides off flat surfaces that aren't 100% level.
It's all very well saying buy a plastic case, but when you're spending $400 on a phone, you shouldn't need to have to buy anything else. If it is necessary, then the product designers haven't done their job properly.
We need a redesigned iPhone 5 not just to correct these problems but to show that they've been corrected.
I won't be upgrading to iPhone 5 unless it is a major redesign, which is a surprise for me. I've bought every previous version. Maybe I'm just getting tired of annual upgrades for the sake of it.