Mikey Campbell
As Apple's annual iPhone refresh cycle draws near, the number of rumors regarding the so-called "iPhone 5S" continue to grow, the latest being a set of photos claiming to show the handset in near complete form.
The images, obtained by MacRumors, appear to show a near fully assembled next-generation iPhone, minus the display assembly. However, a closer inspection seems to yield more questions than answers.
It should be noted that AppleInsider cannot confirm the veracity of the photos, and offers the following analysis for purposes of discussion only.
At first glance, the image of the supposed iPhone 5S internals looks to be in line with rumored parts leaks, which include the handset's logic board, loudspeaker, SIM card tray, vibration motor, and other smaller components. Taken part by part and compared with recent rumored parts leaks, the photos appear to show either an early prototype, or a hybrid of the current iPhone 5 with components from an as yet unreleased version of Apple's smartphone.
From the top left: the vibration motor is clearly visible and has a single weight. This is counter to a recent photo that suggests the next-gen iPhone will use a dual-weight system. There is also a slight crimp in the attachment arm, which on the iPhone 5 is at a perfect 90-degree angle. This, along with the off-center contact plate, shows the motor has been previously removed, replaced, or damaged.
The logic board looks to be the same part revealed earlier this week, as seen by the display connectors, which are in a different layout compared to the iPhone 5. Photos of the alleged iPhone 5S display assembly and attached flex cables matched up with the board's connections almost perfectly, suggesting the two parts may be legitimate.
Below the display plugs is an unlabeled processor with a small Apple logo. Here, the capacitor arrangement appears to line up with the CPU, but as MacRumors notes, the screen-printed numbering suggests this chip was made in late October of 2012, a very early run for a next-gen handset. This could be evidence that the components pictured, or at least the logic board and processor, are early prototypes and not reflective of a near-final production version.
At the bottom of the picture is the speaker sitting atop flex cables belonging to the microphone and Lightning dock connector. These parts are identical to supposedly leaked components pictured earlier this month.
Finally, the battery carries markings that, if legitimate, point to a capacity of 5.92 Watt-hours. In comparison, the iPhone 5 has a 5.45 Whr unit.
Colored boxes added to original photo.The second image allegedly shows the handset's back casing, though this photo contains details that are somewhat incongruent with a next-gen handset. For example, the model number appears to read "A1214," a designation never before seen on an iPhone. The original iPhone and iPhone 3G bore "A12XX" model numbers, while the iPhone 3GS to 4S carried numbers in the "A13XX" range. Apple's GSM version of the iPhone 4S moved into the "A14XX" tier, which continues with the current iPhone 5.
It is possible that the number seen on this particular casing reads "A1234," signifying a probable prototype, but the fourth digit is not curved and looks to be either a "1" or a "7" when enhanced.
Despite being quite blurry, the image clearly shows the much-rumored dual-flash positioned near the rear-facing camera. Interestingly, the chamfered edge on the left side of the phone is in crisp focus while the rest of the photo is not.
Taking the above into consideration, along with the visible wear and tear to the chassis, it can be speculated that the image shows an early prototype. If indeed legitimate, the part demonstrates that Apple changed very little in the way of design, and is only looking to upgrade the device's internals.
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Charles Martin
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24 Comments
Apple have settled into this two year cycle, making the S configuration better in sometimes subtle ways. I know it's not always popular. Apple are trying to bring laptop thinking to the mobile world. It's possible to 'get away' with the same, or similar, design for say a laptop to a certain extent as that is a mature market. However, mobile has only just got past the Model T stage and is roaring towards the E-Type Jag phase! So folks expect a new box every year. However, there are only a certain number of things you can do with a candy bar shape; changing the material is one (liquid metal anyone?!). I will end up getting one (after a few months to let the dust settle) as my wife is itching to replace her 4 and get my 5. It's fortunate that I'm on a flexible contract and I quite like my iphone 5 (IMHO it's a bit big but not as unwieldy as my Galaxy SIII). I would also now like a bigger memory capacity to match my iPad for spare space - some of the new games are huge, and even a powerful astronomy app such as SkySafari Pro takes nearly 1GB (great app though)! I predict S this year will be for security! And I suspect this year's fanfare will be for the "iphone Air" (copyright ME LOL), aimed st poorer markets in Europe, Asia and India. Should be interesting anyway.
Apple is betting that most people won't bother breaking their two year phone contracts just to get a new iphone every year, so a 5s would still represent something new for a consumer looking to upgrade from a 4s. Btw, how significant is that higher battery capacity?
So, you conclude it is a "very early prototype" where there is "little change in the design". Of course an early prototype is going to have little change in design. The error all these rumor sites make is that they don't understand how Apple works or how these products are made (and I mean, on a fundamental level, they don't understand.) There are at least 6 different designs for the next iPhone. They range from radically different to minor upgrades, and they represent different possibilities for various technologies and market initiatives. AI and MacRumors etc. are written by people who think Apple knows what the next iPhone is going to be like before they even start. It's stilly. This is one reason you get conflicting rumors-- things leak out from the different prototypes and the rumor mongers assume there is only One True Next iPhone and can't understand the conflicts. Anyway, assuming this stuff is legit (it could be just a late stage prototype of the last device.....) it really tells us nothing.
I am really glad they doubled down on security.........
/s
I'm amazed that "the spies" can hardly manage to take sharp, clear photos. They seem to use cell phones from 2004 to take their pictures. You'd think with more modern cameras with more megapixels, they'd be able to take better pictures.