We’ve seen several cases based on the leaked iPhone 5 case designs, which we hear are everywhere in China. In fact, Chinese counterfeiters seem to be so confident that the case designs are accurate that they’ve already started selling iPhone 5 knockoffs in China.
M.I.C Gadget reveals that Foxconn - Apple's manufacturing partner has lost an iPhone 5 prototype, which might have been the source for the case designs.
The back story behind the lost iPhone 5 prototype is quite interesting (assuming it's true), which M.I.C claims is based on information they received from a small iPhone accessory shop in Shenzhen:
The missing prototype is said to have been enclosed in a case to disguise it as a current-generation iPhone 4–which brings to mind the iPhone 4 prototype acquired by Gizmodo that was camouflaged as an iPhone 3GS. How Apple achieved that with the iPhone 5 supposedly wider and longer than the current iPhone 4 is a point to ponder.
It is said to be a test model with a finalized iPhone 5 chassis featuring the tear-drop design. However, the interesting thing about it is that it apparently houses what we assume to be slightly modified iPhone 4 electronics with components such as the A4 chip and even the same amount of memory.
With its past experience, one might think Apple would have been able to track that prototype down in a heartbeat. However, Apple was outsmarted. The person who had access to the prototype wiped the phone’s software, thus disabling the GPS hardware needed to track it down. It was then allegedly sold to one of the iPhone case manufacturers for RMB ¥20,000 (about $3,100). We were told that Foxconn was aware of the loss and had penalized internal management for the incident. We also heard from another source that the person who “lost” it was paid to do so.
You can checkout the video below, which shows a detailed comparison of the old iPhone 4 design and the rumored teardrop design:
Apple has announced that it will unveil the next generation iPhone at a media event on October 4th. It remains to be seen if Apple will launch a redesigned iPhone 5 with teardrop design or iPhone 4S that looks like iPhone 4 and comes with improved hardware.
Which one would you prefer?
[via M.I.C Gadget]
Let’s get this over with …….why would apple make you wait so long and not change the design …..teardrop look great…..will upgrade …..
iphone5 will look like the samsung galaxy 2. screen will be the same size, and same camera. AT&T needs to make true unlimited data plans and lower the plans.
X2
Staying with 4. But its all according to what you like best. Id rather the thicker model. Makes me feel like im working with something.
I never cared for the “teardrop” design. Make it too slick and slides around and out of your pocket too much (believe me or not)
What’s what people used to say with the Nokia N95, N73, 3250, etc. Thick makes you feel like you’re holding something substantial. Clearly most people have moved past that and I’m confident you will too…sooner or later.
Would you rather have a thick ass Zack Morris phone or a thin new iphone….how about a fat ugly pc laptop compared to a macbook of any sorts…probably not, thin FTW!!
Why don’t I just cut to the chase and get a Zoolander phone as big as thumbnail or how bout getting devices implanted in me that can be accessed through 3d glasses. Smaller or thinner isn’t always best. Go ahead, put that nice thin phone in your pocket and work for a living. Guarantee it won’t hold up worth a dang.
I happen to like saved by the bell and and one time wanted the brick phone so thanks for the comparison. Its more like a compliment than anything else.
Now if you can all excuse me, I’m gonna go bang Kelly kapowski.
SKOL VIKINGS!!!!
I am suddenly hungry.
I hope its a 5 and not a 4S, otherwise really disappointing.
the case look so sleek n sexy, gosh tempted to buy.