A Couple of iPhone 5 Design Mockups - MacRumors
Skip to Content

A Couple of iPhone 5 Design Mockups

by

After the release of the purported iPhone 5 design document, we've received a couple of mockups what the iPhone 5 might look like. While we don't normally indulge the purely speculative mockups, the recent rumors have given us some guidance as what the iPhone 5 might look like.

The first comes from MacRumors user bikr who we asked to try to closely approximate the leaked document, with a tapered design and elongated home button.

mock
The design has a slightly sloping taper to it from top to bottom, reminiscent of the MacBook Air.

Meanwhile, CiccareseDesign has created their own mockup but was a little more free with their design choices. They retained the top-to-bottom taper, but ignored some of the other elements. They call this the "iPhone Air".

iPhone Air 05
A few of the other images show that the designer took some liberties, retaining the squared off design of the iPhone 4. Obviously, this is not likely to be predictive of what the actual iPhone 5 might look like.

Top Rated Comments

196 months ago
I have a hard time buying the tapered design. Holding the phone in portrait would be fine, but in landscape it would feel lopsided; out of balance and, therefore, out of the norm for an Apple product. When the iPhone 4 was released, engadget likened it's weight and construction to a Leica camera. A lofty claim! When I got my hands on mine, I completely agreed. The fit and finish - the feel of it in hand - was superb. That tapered design would be a step in the wrong direction.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
196 months ago
Makes me feel

like I'm living a Teenage Dream!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
196 months ago
Some important notes here..

I was asked for a iPhone 5 mockup that resembled the cad drawings that were released, from the iphone 5 case rumor.

I didn't conceptualize this design at all, nor did I submit this to MacRumors unsolicited.

I was approached by MacRumors for a mockup, and I provided a really early, trivial piece I was working on personally. I was told that a few of the details didn't match, and I offered to revise it and make it match the CAD drawings more precisely. The image you see is what resulted..

I'm a little perturbed that the article made it seem like I sent these in as original concepts and unsolicited.. Not nearly what happened..

(http://skitch.com/bikr/fcgkx/keyshot-2.1-pro-floating-license-untitled.bip-64-bit)

Click for large view (http://skitch.com/bikr/fcgkx/keyshot-2.1-pro-floating-license-untitled.bip-64-bit)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
itsmemuffins Avatar
196 months ago
Qwerty! Qwerty! Qwerty! Qwerty!

No! No! No! No!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
myrtlebee Avatar
196 months ago
I'm sorry- I've worked in design for years and the second mockup is simply not practical. The weight distribution would be a nightmare- in both portrait and landscape. The thing would be entirely top-heavy and extremely awkward to hold (for a few seconds, let alone an entire phone conversation). Forget gaming.

The first is a bit more subtle and practical, but still would not be optimal for a phone by any means.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
196 months ago
If it looks anything like that I won't buy it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
Apple AppleCare One Feature

'AppleCare One' is Now Even More Valuable

Saturday July 18, 2026 6:25 am PDT by
While the monthly and annual prices of AppleCare+ plans for Macs and iPads received a slight increase this week, AppleCare One continues to start at $19.99 per month in the U.S., making the multi-device plan even more valuable. Launched in July 2025, AppleCare One allows you to cover up to three devices as part of a single subscription for $19.99 per month, and additional devices can be...
Apple Up Arrow Fearture

Apple's Latest Price Increases Go Beyond Macs and iPads

Sunday July 19, 2026 8:50 am PDT by
After raising prices on all Macs and iPads worldwide last month, Apple increased prices on more products and services on Friday. Apple has raised prices on Apple Music and Apple One plans around the world, iCloud+ plans in eight countries, and on iPhone models in Japan.Apple Music Now Costs $11.99 as Apple Increases Subscription Prices Apple Raises iCloud+ Prices in 8 Countries Apple...