AppleInsider Staff
New snapshots that purport to show a prototype of Apple's so-called "iPhone 6" have emerged from China, though the device pictured bears some bizarre inconsistencies that call its authenticity into question.
The photos depict a handset slightly taller, wider, and thinner than the iPhone 5s and are said to have come directly from insiders at Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn, Apple's longtime iPhone assembly partner. They were originally published on Chinese microblogging site Weibo and first noticed by GforGames.
The two most prominent changes from current models are an iPod touch-style protruding camera lens and the lack of the dual-LED True Tone flash setup found in the iPhone 5s. While the external camera lens may be a trade-off for overall device size, it seems unlikely that Apple would abandon the True Tone system as imaging becomes a more important differentiator in mobile devices.
It is difficult to ascertain the exact size due to the photos' low resolution, though the spacing between the headphone jack and the Lightning port suggests it may play host to a screen somewhat less than five inches diagonally. Schematics included in the images also show iPhone 5c-style speaker holes.
There are some areas where the pictured device does line up with rumors about Apple's next-generation iPhone. That handset is believed to sport a larger display, for instance, and an industrial design reminiscent of the iPad mini.
William Gallagher
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78 Comments
It's either completely fake or a new revised iPod Touch.
Steve would never have had the camera protrude.
No, seriously, he wouldn’t have. He would have waited until they could engineer an optical zoom that would remain flush with the case before putting it in a shipping product. Not sure of Apple’s game here.
And how can it be said that it’s taller, wider, or thinner from these images? There’s absolutely no frame of reference.
The iPod touch has a single panel back. It wouldn’t need separation.
The iPhone doesn't need to be any thinner. If depth room can be saved internally, please make the battery larger. I'd rather have 2 days of charge.
And how can it be said that it’s taller, wider, or thinner from these images? There’s absolutely no frame of reference.
I guess because the headphone jack and lightning port are known points of reference: "It is difficult to ascertain the exact size due to the photos' low resolution, though the spacing between the headphone jack and the Lightning port suggests it may play host to a screen somewhat less than five inches diagonally."
Looks to me like an iPod touch. Perhaps all these rumors of a 5"+ phone are for a new iPod touch?