Leaked Photo Shows Partially Assembled iPhone 4S/5 Components with A5 Chip

Late last month, we reported on photos of what appeared to be the logic board for the iPhone 4S or 5, showing a form factor for the board more similar in appearance to the CDMA iPhone 4 than the GSM iPhone 4, as well as space for Apple's rectangular A5 system-on-a-chip.

iphone logic board a5
phoneArena.com now points to a new image that has surfaced on Chinese microblogging site Weibo appearing to show that same logic board with all chips in place and at least partially assembled. A connection to what appears to be a white iPhone 4-like front panel/LCD display is visible, as are a battery and several other flex cables from the device.

The image clearly shows an A5 chip, which is of course expected for the iPhone 5. There has been some debate, however, about whether Apple will be introducing an iPhone 4-like model that has been unofficially dubbed the iPhone 4S, a redesigned iPhone 5, or both. If Apple does indeed release both an iPhone 4S and an iPhone 5, an A5 chip in the lower-level iPhone 4S would be a significant inclusion given that Apple has typically chosen to offer versions of its previous-generation models and technologies as its entry-level devices.

The battery included in the leaked photo is also generating some conversation, as it appears to be the same model number is seen in previous photos, but carries slightly different specs. Earlier photos had shown the battery offering 3.7 V and 5.3 Whr, for a charge capacity of about 1430 mAh. For comparison, the current iPhone 4 battery checks in at 3.7 V and 5.25 Whr, offering 1420 mAh of charge.

This new photo appears to have the charge of 1430 mAh stamped directly on it, but curiously seems to list the voltage at 4.2 V. It is unclear exactly why the battery seems to be reporting a different voltage, and thus a different energy close to 6 Whr to reach the same 1430 mAh charge seen in earlier photos of the same part.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID Single Camera Hole

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Friday September 13, 2024 2:40 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Shares Full List of Over 250 New Features and Changes Coming With iOS 18

Wednesday September 11, 2024 7:16 am PDT by
Following its iPhone 16 event on Monday, Apple shared a PDF on its website with a list of all new features and changes coming with iOS 18. The list includes many features that were already announced, including Apple Intelligence, new customization options for the Home Screen and Control Center, a redesigned Photos app, several enhancements to the Messages app, a Passwords app, and more....
iphone 16 pro models 1

Skipping the iPhone 16 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 17 Pro

Wednesday September 11, 2024 8:20 am PDT by
Will you be skipping the iPhone 16 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 17 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap key new features rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models so far: 24MP front camera for all iPhone 17 models: All four iPhone 17 models will feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera, according to Apple supply chain analysts Ming-Chi...
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Here's When iPhone 16 Pre-Orders Begin in Every Time Zone

Thursday September 12, 2024 6:12 am PDT by
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16, ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max are set to begin on Friday, September 13 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with the new devices set to become available in multiple countries around the world simultaneously. We've compiled pre-order times for various countries to help MacRumors readers be among the first to order. This list isn't...
iphone 16 pro apple intelligence

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max Shipping Estimates Extending Into October

Friday September 13, 2024 5:48 am PDT by
Apple began accepting pre-orders for all four new iPhone 16 models today, and shipping estimates for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max on Apple's online store in the U.S. are already beginning to slip into October for many configurations. As of 6:45 a.m. Pacific Time, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max were facing a 2-4 week shipping delay for some configurations on Apple's online store, with...
iphone 16 pro apple intelligence

Apple Intelligence Features Expected to Roll Out in This Order Between iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.4

Friday September 13, 2024 1:01 pm PDT by
iOS 18 will be released to the public on Monday, but the first Apple Intelligence features will not be available until iOS 18.1 is released in October. Apple Intelligence features will continue to roll out in iOS 18.2 and beyond, with the expected roadmap outlined below per Apple's website and rumors. Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro model or any iPhone 16 model, and it will...

Top Rated Comments

HarryKeogh Avatar
170 months ago
What an ugly phone. Too industrial-looking. Someone bring Steve back.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cod3rror Avatar
170 months ago
I imagine there will be a lot of disappointed people if iPhone 4S is THE iPhone for 2011.

Personally though, I wouldn't really mind an iPhone 4 shape for another year, it's really a fantastic design.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
trudderham Avatar
170 months ago
Hmm, I overlayed the outline of the iPhone 4 over this image. Looks like the screen is higher and wider:



Interesting how smaller the bezel is, especially at the top.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BornAgainMac Avatar
170 months ago
If it looks like that, I wouldn't buy that junk. :D
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SirOmega Avatar
170 months ago
A change from 3.7V to 4.2V would probably indicate a change of chemistry. Different Li-ion chemistries have different nominal voltages. That said, 6Wh is pretty beefy for a cell phone battery. Makes you wonder if they're going to go LTE and the larger battery is there to compensate for any additional battery drain.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
theperipheral Avatar
170 months ago
"Stupidly upgraded"? Question, did you buy both the 3G and the 3GS?

The vast majority of people around the world that rely on carrier subsidies (let alone the ones that actually pay directly) are on a 2 year or more upgrade cycle. Why would they bring out a completely new case design every year?

Also: Really? A new case design is the one thing that can push you into an early upgrade? Funny, I used to think the naysayers were wrong about Apple fanboys only being in it for the looks & social status.

I have absolutely no idea why people use the 3G - 3GS example to compare this situation to. The 3G was the AIDS of iPhones. It was pretty much a redesigned original iPhone. If Hitler was alive, and I was his captor and he wanted to make a phone call, I wouldn't even allow HIM to use that piece of garbage.

The 3GS was better in literally EVERY WAY, and it needed to be. It was finally fast, it had voice control features, better battery life, more oil resistant screen, better camera, compass (which changed the way that maps worked, which was awesome), etc...so many awesome upgrades.

If the 4S is all we're getting, we are getting an upgraded processor and a better camera. The problem is that at this point, neither of those things matter anymore. The camera on the 4 is perfect. It takes awesome shots, and the resolution isn't so high that every shot takes up half of the memory in the phone. The speed can EASILY handle iOS5...the 3GS can even handle iOS5 perfectly well.

That is why a 4S is a horrible idea. It offers absolutely nothing to people using the iPhone 4 (who at this point are DEFINITELY available for an EARLY UPGRADE at least, and a lot are, like me, available for a FULL UPGRADE), which means that anybody with a version of the iPhone before the 4, really doesn't have any reason to upgrade to anything but the 4.

It IS stupid for Apple to do a 4S. If they do, like me, thousands of customers will tell Apple to smoke them and Apple will lose out on millions of dollars in revenue.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)