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iPhone 5 with Metal Chassis and Less Than 4" Screen?

Monday August 29, 2011 2:50 am PDT by Arnold Kim
Digitimes offers a bit of a strange report this morning that just seems to reinforce some details that have been previously reported about the iPhone 5.

The strangest bit, however, is that their report attempts to refute a fake "leak" video that circulated on YouTube earlier this month.
Despite rumors about iPhone 5 featuring a 4.2-inch panel circulating within the IT market for a while, following a leak from Apple's website in Switzerland in early August
The referenced "leak" video was a clear fake. They seem to have taken the video seriously, but at the least they refute the details of the leak citing "upstream panel suppliers."

Instead, their sources indicate the iPhone 5 will include a 3.5 to 3.7-inch panel "with a design to allow the bezel of the panel to become thinner and make the screen look larger." They also report that the glass back of the current iPhone 4 will be changed to a "metal chassis".

iPhone 5 artist rendition with 3.7" screen and circular home button

Despite the confused nature of the report, these details come at an interesting time, as the vision of the iPhone 5 has become increasing confused.

Last week, we saw a number of part leaks for a device that looks just like the iPhone 4, but carrying an upgraded A5 processor. That device carried an internal name of 'N94' which was previously believed to be the iPhone 5. Over the last few months, multiple conflicting sources have described the iPhone 5 as both thinner and lighter as well as largely identical to the iPhone 4. The "largely identical" report came from Reuters who did say that the new device would have a "bigger touch screen".

The only concrete design that we've seen is one of a leaked design spec but we've not yet seen any related parts leak out into the supply system.

Tag: digitimes.com
[ 156 comments ]


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karlth
104 months ago
Anything smaller than a 13" screen on the iPhone will be a disappointment.

I want people to cower in fear when I answer the phone.
Rating: 26 Votes
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RobertMartens
104 months ago

Can we just get a date for the event


Look, MacRumors is exactly that, a rumors site. It is not an escort service. You are going to have to find your own date. There must be someone at work you can ask. Good luck.
Rating: 24 Votes
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Žalgiris
104 months ago


i agree, even iOS looks dated and getting boring. they can change the hardware as much as they want, the OS is still gonna be boring after having owned 3 generations


Yep let's change things for the sake of change. When people talk this nonsense, makes it clear they have no idea what they are talking about.
Rating: 13 Votes
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montycat
104 months ago
I hope it has the bigger screen.
Rating: 12 Votes
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Wingsy
104 months ago

i agree, even iOS looks dated and getting boring. they can change the hardware as much as they want, the OS is still gonna be boring after having owned 3 generations


And each generation got better & better, kinda like the evolution of MacOS which has been around for 10 years. Or Windows XP, we had that for 10+ years. Not sure what it is you're wanting. A brand new OS isn't something a company like Apple (or any other) can pop out every 3 years or so.

Perhaps what you need is to use another mobile OS for a while (Android comes to mind). That should make you appreciate your boring ole iOS.
Rating: 10 Votes
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kyjaotkb
104 months ago
looks like Apple is better at blurring the rumors related to the future iPhone... this time...
Rating: 9 Votes
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Jarra
104 months ago
I would be really really disappointed if the screen wasn't bigger. However a 3.7" screen seems consistent if you take into account maintaining resolution and ease for developers.
:(
Rating: 8 Votes
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Navdakilla
104 months ago
Do you guys think 3.7" is even good enough?

I don't think a 3.7" would make me drop the iphone4. only a .2" isn't much.

I would much rather prefer a 4". That would be a instant sell in my mind
Rating: 8 Votes
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itsmemuffins
104 months ago
C'mon Apple, just announce the thing already. :eek:

At this point I'm not even bothered about a release date, I just want to see what it's going to look like.
Rating: 6 Votes
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LobsterDK
104 months ago

Yup, it'll either make us devs produce a LOT more images for each app we make, or will cause stretching. Either way its a loose loose situation for users and developers.

Even if the resolution is kept the same, it'll still give the appearance of stretching.


I'm an iOS developer myself. What "stretching" are you talking about? If the resolution and aspect ratio remain the same (and they would, without question) then it will look identical only slightly larger. Given we are talking about touch devices, that's not a bad thing. It makes the hit area of UI elements slightly larger and easier to hit. It won't cause any visual distortion in the way you are implying. And the consistent resolution (960x640) would mean you don't have to create any other assets than the same standard and hi-dpi resolutions assets you are using now. There wouldn't be any extra pixels for higher res artwork to take advantage of to begin with.
Rating: 5 Votes

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