Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Alleged Parts for Upcoming iPhone Leak Again, Mute Switch to Become Push Button?

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,556
30,884



Several weeks ago, photos of a pair of parts alleged to be from the iPhone 5S surfaced through a Japanese parts vendor. The parts included a flex cable for the device's home button and a second flex cable housing the vibrator and volume/mute controls.

Another Japanese parts vendor, iLab Factory, has now posted a new set of photos showing not only those two parts but also a third flex cable that appears to house the device's front camera. iLab Factory points out that these parts may be from the iPhone 5S but could alternatively be from Apple's rumored lower-cost iPhone.

ilab_iphone_2013_volume_controls.jpg
Vibrator/audio control flex cable for iPhone 5S or lower-cost iPhone​
One interesting item of note that we neglected to point out in our previous report relates to the vibrator/volume control flex cable. The part contains a strip of three buttons to run along the edge of the device, corresponding to the locations of the two volume buttons and the mute switch on previous iPhone models. But on this part, all three features appear to be buttons, suggesting that this upcoming iPhone may see the mute switch become a push button.

iphone_5_audio_control_cable.jpg
iPhone 5 audio control cable with mute switch boxed in red (Source: iFixit)​
iLab Factory also notes that the vibrator in this part uses a dual-head design, which is distinct from the iPhone 5 vibrator design, although it is unclear what may have prompted the change.

The other two parts shared by iLab Factory reveal little information, with the home button flex cable appearing essentially identical to the previously seen part except for a part number change from 821-1684-01 to 821-1684-02. These parts do, however, contain a significantly longer cable than seen on the corresponding iPhone 5 part.

ilab_iphone_2013_front_camera.jpg
The layout of the front camera flex cable is nearly identical to the corresponding iPhone 5 part, although this leaked part is missing the microphone and other sensors seen on the iPhone 5 part offered by iFixit.

Article Link: Alleged Parts for Upcoming iPhone Leak Again, Mute Switch to Become Push Button?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/04/11/alleged-parts-for-upcoming-iphone-leak-again-mute-switch-to-become-push-button/
SamGabbay

SamGabbay

macrumors 6502a
Oct 15, 2011
757
868
Haven't seen a leaked part rumor like this in a while...

Nice to see that production is underway.
 
bbeagle

bbeagle

macrumors 68040
Oct 19, 2010
3,542
2,982
Buffalo, NY
XboxMySocks said:
Why?? Nothing is wrong with the toggle.
Click to expand...

I think a toggle is BETTER than a button - not as easily pressed accidently. Plus, I can see the little orange color easier on a toggle to know that it's in silent/vibrate mode.

Of course, you'll get the snarky Samsung commercials about all the Apple fans waiting in line for a 'button instead of a toggle', and the Samsung sheep will eat it up.
 
Roessnakhan

Roessnakhan

macrumors 68040
Sep 16, 2007
3,518
510
ABQ
Since the iPhone 4, the silent switch has been really sturdy, I would hope it wouldn't become a button, because I imagine it would require some long press or need the screen on to trigger so it doesn't accidentally get triggered in your pocket. Not as easy as just flipping a switch, and it's one of those little things that the iPhone has that no other smartphone I've used has that's really convenient.
 
N

newdeal

macrumors 68030
Oct 21, 2009
2,510
1,769
its likely a dedicated camera shutter button and the silent switch will be moved
 
gregwyattjr

gregwyattjr

macrumors regular
Oct 17, 2008
198
1
I'll be surprised to see any design changes to the 5S, including an alteration to the mute switch. But that's not to say it won't happen.
 
PracticalMac

PracticalMac

macrumors 68030
Jan 22, 2009
2,857
5,242
Houston, TX
So, about 4 to 6 weeks for assembly to start? Seems to be the trend of when internal parts are seen to when produced.

Then another 2 weeks to go on sale.

more or less. :)
 
Tankmaze

Tankmaze

macrumors 68000
Mar 7, 2012
1,707
351
a redesign iphone 5 case probably with this new vibrator. hopefully with bigger screen :D
 
Porco

Porco

macrumors 68040
Mar 28, 2005
3,315
6,909
I think it would make more sense for it to be a play/pause/next track control, like you get on headphone remotes.

The iPhone and iPod Touch have always been a great iPod in most respects, but the classic scrollwheel designs had the advantage of being really controllable in your pocket without even looking at the screen. In either shuffle mode or a playlist, the ability to skip tracks, pause and play without looking at the screen is something that's been lacking unless you use headphones with an inline remote.

I think messing with the mute switch would be a silly mistake, it functions perfectly.
 
JGRE

JGRE

macrumors 65816
Oct 10, 2011
1,012
664
Dutch Mountains
There are two things I don't like about the iPhone:

1. two buttons for volume, which are impossible to locate (at least the one you are looking for) without looking or in the dark
2. The mute swith which has to be pushed in the opposite direction as the length of the iPhone itself.

So a push switch to mute would be welcome, now the volume buttons integrated in one switch please.

----------
bbeagle said:
I think a toggle is BETTER than a button - not as easily pressed accidently. Plus, I can see the little orange color easier on a toggle to know that it's in silent/vibrate mode.

Of course, you'll get the snarky Samsung commercials about all the Apple fans waiting in line for a 'button instead of a toggle', and the Samsung sheep will eat it up.
Click to expand...

Have never pushed one of the volume buttons incidently......
 
TheHateMachine

TheHateMachine

macrumors 6502a
Sep 18, 2012
846
1,354
bbeagle said:
I think a toggle is BETTER than a button - not as easily pressed accidently. Plus, I can see the little orange color easier on a toggle to know that it's in silent/vibrate mode.

Of course, you'll get the snarky Samsung commercials about all the Apple fans waiting in line for a 'button instead of a toggle', and the Samsung sheep will eat it up.
Click to expand...

How often do you accidently press the other buttons? I personally never accidently press any hardware buttons.

Also... Thanks for bringing Samsung into an article totally unrelated to Samsung.
 
lokey

lokey

macrumors regular
Jul 3, 2003
144
44
An on/off toggle switch gives you 2 options, and only 2 options.
A push button potentially allows you to toggle through multiple options or "profiles". With the right implentation this is an improvement.

Think about it.
 
A

aajeevlin

macrumors 65816
Mar 25, 2010
1,427
715
gregwyattjr said:
I'll be surprised to see any design changes to the 5S, including an alteration to the mute switch. But that's not to say it won't happen.
Click to expand...

Looking at the past, I totally agree with you. But giving that the general public's taste for smartphone have changed quite bit a few over the last few years and most people are becoming more techno craze I think Apple should switch to a half year update cycle. This could Apple put on part with the rest of the companies and to stimulate people to switch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom