Filed under: Hardware, Rumors, iPhone
Purported pics of next-gen iPhone front face surface
iResQ, the iPhone/iPod repair site, has posted pics of what they claim is the front faceplate of the next-gen iPhone. Two things about this piece of hardware are particularly interesting. First, the part is approximately 1/4 of an inch taller than the iPhone 3GS, indicative of a slightly taller form factor for the next-gen iPhone. Second, there's a small, reflective strip directly above the hole for the phone speaker. iResQ believes this is likely to be the new location for the iPhone's proximity sensor rather than an indication of any new hardware; however, moving the proximity sensor to a new location and increasing the overall length of the device could still point to a front-facing camera or other new hardware on the next-gen iPhone.It's worth mentioning the possibility that these "iPhone" parts aren't legitimate. iResQ hasn't revealed its source for the part, and purported iPhone bezels leaked in 2009 turned out to be parts for a completely different device. The backside of the supposed next-gen iPhone's face is missing quite a few parts present on the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, which either means the part iResQ received was incomplete, the next-gen iPhone has had its internal hardware shifted around, or the part is fake.
So case manufacturers, don't throw out your old blueprints just yet. Unfortunately, it's likely we won't find out whether these are legit or not until June/July of this year; despite rumors of an iPhone update in April, the most likely date for the next-gen iPhone's release is early summer.
[Via MacRumors]
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ashley Jones said 3:07PM on 2-08-2010
It's taller to fit the CDMA radio
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turtlejp said 3:16PM on 2-08-2010
Apple already has a CDMA phone out. South Korea ring any bells?
moo083 said 3:29PM on 2-08-2010
turtlejp: The iPhone in South Korea is not CDMA. South Korea was CDMA until recently but the government had another network put in place so it wasn't a single network. I have read about people using their iPhones in South Korea with an American 3G iPhone in international mode which would not work if it was CDMA only over there.
There was a lot of talk about this in the forums in http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/22/iphone-launching-in-south-korea-this-week/ but in the end its not CDMA.
Anthony said 7:09PM on 2-08-2010
Yeah, what radio would most likely go into a new iPhone would be a hybrid Qualcomm GSM/CDMA2000 chipset, which would be the same size as a Qualcomm GSM chipset. It would make more sense if Apple were to use a hybrid chip to reduce design and manufacturing costs, not to mention the cost of designing software for both GSM/WCDMA/HSPA and CDMA2000 phones. Also, the Qualcomm hybrid chipsets are ready for HSPA+ networks.
Sasher said 3:15PM on 2-08-2010
@Ashley Jones: Why would it have to be taller to fit the CDMA Radio? I don't quite understand your comment. Can you help clarify for non-geeks? thanks!
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Ashley Jones said 3:28PM on 2-08-2010
Oh I was just speculating haha
n00neimp0rtant said 3:36PM on 2-08-2010
Reflective surface = make sure your face is in the camera view while you're video chatting =]
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macxprt said 3:55PM on 2-08-2010
Don't forget about those Apple patents with the video camera embedded into the screen itself.
See story at http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/01/08/apple_files_patent_for_camera_hidden_behind_display.html
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Tony said 4:04PM on 2-08-2010
"It's worth mentioning the possibility that these "iPhone" parts aren't legitimate. iResQ hasn't revealed its source for the part, and purported iPhone bezels leaked in 2009 turned out to be parts for a completely different device."
And what device was that?
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Josh said 4:10PM on 2-08-2010
A small change in form factor means all of Apple's partners get to sell new cases to every customer that buys a new Fetishphone.
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Shawn said 6:44PM on 2-08-2010
As opposed to, you know, the LG chocolates, motorola RAZR/KRZR, Nokia, Samsung.... I think you get the idea. Only difference? Chances are that you dock related accessories (assuming they work with the 3G/3Gs) including chargers will still work.
Jeroen Sack said 4:12PM on 2-08-2010
Screw holes in the corners, that would probably make the screws very good visible. I hope that's not the case, they are good the way they are now.
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Josh Smith said 4:17PM on 2-08-2010
Interesting you should mention case manufacturers changing designs. I just recently switched from my 2G to a 3GS, and my InCase case fit the new phone just splendidly. I'm sure it would fit a phone of this new size.
My advice: if you're in the market for a case but change phones often enough to warrant flexibility, get a softer case like mine and save yourself the hassle and few bucks of buying a new case.
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ryan said 4:33PM on 2-08-2010
because we all want bigger phones...
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socritic said 4:51PM on 2-08-2010
I am a true true, tried and tested true Apple fan (2 macbook pros, mac pro, numerous ipods, even an apple tv). But i will NOT BUY AN IPHONE WITH AT&T. APPLE! Please enough with At&t. they SUCK!!! they always have and they always will. i really want one, i even hold my ipod touch to my ear and say "hello" just to see how it feels. ENOUGH with AT&T.
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puhsitch said 5:18PM on 2-08-2010
If AT&T for the time being remains the only option for simultaneous voice and data, then I'm all for sticking with them!
Anthony said 7:16PM on 2-08-2010
@socritic - I've never had a single problem with AT&T in the 11 years I've been with them. Even with an iPhone, my service has been great (though I long ditched that piece of crap for another phone).
@Puhstitch - Verizon and Sprint will never have simultaneous voice and data unless they pull a Bell and Telus and switch to HSPA or Qualcomm somehow updates the CDMA2000 standard to include that feature, and T-Mo will never have the iPhone with their extremely limited coverage area and random-ass band of 3G spectrum.
Alexandre Strube said 5:27PM on 2-08-2010
turtlejp. Korea is not CDMA-only for years. Don't talk about what you don't know.
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Mike said 5:34PM on 2-08-2010
I'm really hoping for more screen and less bezel in the next iPhone... (ie... stretch the screen out more towards the corners).
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Joe said 6:53PM on 2-08-2010
I was just thinking this the other day, but they cant really make the phone shorter and the only other way would be to stretch the screen into the corners but to do this they would have to make the phone wider to keep the aspect ratio the same for all the apps.