Mikey Campbell
Seemingly confirming ongoing rumors that Apple's next iPhone will feature a redesigned 'True Tone' flash unit, an electronics wholesaler on Tuesday published high-resolution pictures of circular dual-LED flash assemblies supposedly bound for both 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch "iPhone 6" models.
Following up on a parts "leak" earlier on Tuesday, Chinese smartphone repair company ElekWorld posted pictures of newly stocked parts, including purported "iPhone 6" power flex cables with round multi-colored flash assemblies.
Offered in both 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch variations, both cables feature what appears to be a dual-LED flash assembly with "cool" and "warm" tints, a hallmark of Apple's branded True Tone technology.
Further, the round flash lines up with a series of purportedly leaked iPhone 6 rear shells, each featuring a round hole for the rear camera's flash unit. It was previously speculated that the circular opening was merely a placeholder for what would ultimately house the familiar pill-shaped port seen in the iPhone 5s.
Also worth noting is the location of the sleep/wake actuator, which resides on one end of the flex cable, opposite a low-profile connector. Judging by the positioning in relation to the flash unit, the button could be side-mounted as rumored in multiple reports. An identical component for the rumored 4.7-inch next-gen iPhone was seen amid a cache of purportedly leaked parts earlier this month.
Apple first introduced the True Tone flash with the iPhone 5s last year, saying the dual-LED setup helps even out color temperatures in low-light situations for more natural looking photos.
Chip Loder
Marko Zivkovic
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28 Comments
Son Of a Gun - a 5.5 rumor -
Glad to see this, when I first saw the circular flash leaked, I had some concernthat the True Tone flash was going away. True Tone flash is outstanding, took a few pics of my kids the other day in not so great lighting and the results were terrific.
I think this is a good counterexample for the people who are always accusing Apple of following "form over function". They wanted a two-tone flash, discovered the devices just weren't available to do it all-in-one, and brought it out anyway, despite the inelegant appearance of the pill-shaped hole. Then, they worked on getting it into more Apple-like form.
Hmm. Sorta surprised to see two separate designs for a component like this. But I'm no electronics engineer.
[quote name="Mac-sochist" url="/t/181983/rumored-circular-true-tone-flash-for-4-7-and-5-5-iphone-6-detailed-in-new-photos#post_2584778"]I think this is a good counterexample for the people who are always accusing Apple of following "form over function". They wanted a two-tone flash, discovered the devices just weren't available to do it all-in-one, and brought it out anyway, despite the inelegant appearance of the pill-shaped hole. Then, they worked on getting it into more Apple-like form.[/quote] I personally find neither pill not circular shaped any more appealing than the other. Just my preference. Hope the flash stays just as good.