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Alleged 'iPhone 5' case shows larger home button area, curved sides

A schematic claimed to be for a case for Apple's anticipated fifth-generation iPhone shows a larger area for the home button, a slightly larger screen, and the return of curved sides like on the iPhone 3GS.

The documents allegedly come from a Chinese case manufacturer, and were obtained by MobileFun.co.uk (via Cult of Mac). They show a design with curved sides, similar to iPhone models released before the current iPhone 4.

On the front, the case appears to have a larger, oval-shaped opening for where the device's home button would go. That could lend support to rumors from earlier this year that Apple's next-iPhone would feature a multi-touch "gesture area" in place of the current home button.

That same report also predicted that Apple's next iPhone would have a slightly larger 3.7-inch edge-to-edge screen. The images that claim to show a so-called "iPhone 5" case also suggest that the device may have a larger screen.

The photos show the handset's volume buttons and SIM card slot in the same place, but also show placement of the vibrate switch on the opposite side.

The case also suggests the device will feature an unmoved LED camera flash, which would contradict purported fifth-generation iPhone parts (1, 2), which leaked in May and suggested the camera lens and flash would be moved further apart to improve picture quality. Separating the camera flash and lens can reduce the red-eye effect seen in photographs.

The alleged schematic would contradict other rumors that the next iPhone will have a design largely similar to the current iPhone 4, with one of the biggest changes being a new, higher-resolution 8-megapixel camera and the addition of the A5 processor. Some reports have characterized the device as an "iPhone 4S," in references to the alleged minor changes.

Though the next iPhone will arrive later than usual this year, reports from Apple's supply chain have been picking up, indicating that the company is preparing to begin mass production of the next-generation device. Last week, during the company's quarterly earnings conference call, Apple executives revealed that an unnamed major product transition is in the cards to take place by the end of September.



53 Comments

bloggerblog 17 Years · 2536 comments

Thank god! I hated the rectangular shape!

cam 24 Years · 35 comments

I actually LOVE the current, more rectilinear design.

The design in this article seems like a real step backwards... here is hoping it's not real.

cloudgazer 14 Years · 2161 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by CAM

I actually LOVE the current, more rectilinear design.

The design in this article seems like a real step backwards... here is hoping it's not real.

+1 I can see no way that Apple would produce a device looking like that as a premium phone, I can see it conceivably as a replacement for the 3GS as an entry level phone.

jd_in_sb 15 Years · 1599 comments

Unlike previous generations, these iPhone 5 rumors are all over the map.

cloudgazer 14 Years · 2161 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by jd_in_sb

Unlike previous generations, these iPhone 5 rumors are all over the map.

Where is a microbrew quaffing field-tester when you need one eh?