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Purported next-gen iPhone SIM tray appears similar to current design

A new SIM card tray claimed to be a component from Apple's next-generation iPhone has appeared for sale online, sporting subtle differences when compared with the tray found in the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4.

The "iPhone 5 Sim Card Tray Holder Slot" was listed this week at the parts reseller website SW-Box.com. And as noted by MacRumors, the SIM card tray has subtle differences from the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

Specifically, the new tray has a "slight tapering of metal frame pieces," as well as "an extra metal shelf not seen in current trays." If legitimate, the part could be seen as evidence that Apple plans to redesign the next iPhone, rather than stick with the same appearance of its predecessors. But rather than implying any drastic changes, the part has only seen minor modifications.

There have been some rumors that the next iPhone will have a metal back, replacing the glass back panel that has been utilized with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. Those reports also claimed that the side of the next iPhone would be curved, but the latest component implies the side of this particular prototype handset would be flat.

The part also suggests that the next iPhone will not utilize the micro-SIM standard that Apple has proposed. A vote on the standard by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute was postponed in March after Apple and Nokia could not come to terms over the design.

The latest part comes just over a week after pictures of a new home button claimed to be for Apple's next iPhone surfaced online. That part suggested the next iPhone's home button will look largely the same as it always had, but also gave an indication that the part will be redesigned internally.

The parts serve as further evidence that Apple is currently working on prototype models of its next-generation iPhone. In March it was said that Apple was reviewing potential components for the new iPhone, which is expected to be released this fall, one year after the iPhone 4S.

It has also been said that Apple's sixth-generation iPhone will feature Qualcomm's "MDM9615" LTE 4G chip for high-speed wireless connectivity. Reports have also claimed that the next iPhone will adopt in-cell touch panel technology, which will allow Apple to make the next iPhone thinner by 0.44 millimeters, or fit in a larger battery.



15 Comments

suddenly newton 15 Years · 13819 comments

Disappointed. I expected a revolutionary tray! More evidence that Apple is slipping behind the competition.

nagromme 23 Years · 2831 comments

I take this with salt, but the current design does maximize battery capacity better than some tapering/curved shape. And the flat sides are nice to hold, especially for camera use.

 

Change is fun, though, so I kind of hope the styling does change!

 

(This could also be for an upcoming low-end iPhone; a slight tweak to the 4 or 4S, ready to accompany the iPhone 6.)

isaidso 16 Years · 750 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by nagromme 

I take this with salt, but the current design does maximize battery capacity better than some tapering/curved shape. And the flat sides are nice to hold, especially for camera use.

 

Change is fun, though, so I kind of hope the styling does change!

 

(This could also be for an upcoming low-end iPhone; a slight tweak to the 4 or 4S, ready to accompany the iPhone 6.)

There are so many uses (and, indeed, actual apps) that utilize the iPhone's ability to be set up upon it's vertical or horizontal edge, that I find it hard to believe Apple will eliminate it's right angle edge.

Anything's possible.

tallest skil 15 Years · 43086 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidso 

Anything's possible.

 

It could get a kickstand! 

 

htc-thunderbolt-sexy-kickstand.jpg

 

Oh gosh, that was unexpected… the site I found this image? Called "phandroid". The name of this image? "htc-thunderbolt-sexy-kickstand.jpg". My sides…

 

Or maybe each iPhone could come with a specialized stand that fits its new contour? Maybe, oh, say… 

 

Toblerone chocolate bar.jpg

applegreen 16 Years · 421 comments

The heck with all this !

 

When are we getting new Macs?