Hands On with a Physical Mockup of the iPhone 5

[verniesgarden]

IOS is becoming a giant mess also - regular 4/4S phones in one resolution - the iPad in another. A future 7" iPad, the iPhone 4Stretch, The Nano and maybe AppleTV... different resolutions and with different specs.

well considering 3 of those don't exist (yet, if ever), let's look at it from an apple prospective, those older phones are due for extinction, and up until now sported the same aspect ratio, converting an app from the 3GS-4 was mostly updating the graphics in the app, so that's really a minimal transition in the world of UI development.

now, between the iPad and iPhone's aspect ratios being different, they are 2 different devices with different targets. that's acceptable fragmentation (it's not even really fragmentation).


let's think about your 3 devices that don't exist yet.

the iPad mini... if this device is released it has a 99.9% probability of having the same aspect ratio as the normal iPad, and most likely have some for of scaling down like the iPad scales up iPhone apps.

iPhone mini.... just not going to happen, everyone is wanting a bigger iPhone no one is wanting a smaller screen, and if they by chance do make an iPhone mini it' will most likely go the way of the iPod Nano and have only locked in apps and nothing more.

AppleTV... same situation as the iPad/iPhone acceptable fragmentation, it's a different device with a different target. Also know that the iPhone is going to a 16:9 landscape aspect ratio, devs can now utilize the same UI formatting for apps.

so let me reiterate, after the iPhone(5) is released there will be 3 aspect ratios (iPhone4s, iPad, iPhone5/appleTV) and now realize that the pre-iPhone5 aspect ratio is set now to die out, in estimate, in 2-3 years the 4S will be on it's last iOS update.

 

[Burger Thing]

The reasoning for the phone having one size is one of the factors making the appstore so powerful, keeping specs constant allows the devs to focus more into the quality of their app and no so much worrying about the compatibility

Like others have pointed out already: even iOS becomes more and more fragmented, so either iOS itself or the programmers for apps need to implement resolution independence strategies for the future anyway. And the Google App store is catching up in terms of quality.

Its just hype, like the iPhone hype, that's why these people you've met bought iPhones in the first place. Why else did they buy it? Why didn't they demand this or that and refuse to buy iPhones in the first place. Its hype.

I agree with you on some parts. I believe for a lot of people, who never used a Smartphone before and were used to their Nokias, etc, were hyped into buying a iPhone. Because, years ago, if one never used an iphone before, it was hard to judge, what would have missed by not doing so...

Of course, people started to like their iphones (or smartphones in general) and I believe, the hype has worn off a bit and people start to differentiate a bit more. Customers realised, a smart phone can be used quite conveniently to respond to emails, browsing the web, etc. But fact is: for these kind of things screen size matters. Emails can be typed more easy on a larger screen with a bigger keyboard, webpages are easier to read on a bigger screen, etc.

That seems to be especially true in big busy cities like Hong Kong, etc, where millions of people commute every day (taking trains, busses, etc) and use the 1 hours train or bus ride to write emails, etc, on the go.

I don't believe the huge flock of customers moving over to the SG3 or similar devices only doing it, because of yet only another hype. Maybe partly. But I tend to believe they choose now Samsung over Apple, because they like the bigger screen size.

I bought a Galaxy Note exactly for that reason. I wanted to have something similar to Apple but with a bigger screen. While I believe iOS is more polished and resource friendly, the Samsung does the job.

I just can't understand, why Apple is ignoring this market segment (bigger phones). Just offer 2 or 3 different phones and people had more choices. I wish I could make more clear, how popular Samsung became here in Hong Kong all of a sudden. I am afraid, if that mockup we have seen becomes reality and is Apple only weapon of choice in the Smartphone segment, it won't be able to continue the success story of its predecessors.

 

[Michael Scrip]

IOS is becoming a giant mess also - regular 4/4S phones in one resolution - the iPad in another. A future 7" iPad, the iPhone 4Stretch, The Nano and maybe AppleTV... different resolutions and with different specs.

I think you're forgetting that Apple makes both the hardware and the software.

And most importantly... the iOS SDK.

Why is that important? Apple may have multiples resolutions and screen sizes... but they maintain their entire ecosystem like no other. And they make tools for you to develop your apps to make them the best they can be across those different devices.

Developers have survived the original iPhone, then the Retina iPhone... the regular iPad and then the Retina iPad.

And if history is any indicator... developers will be more than happy to make apps for the new iPhone with its new resolution too... and for whatever other new devices Apple makes.

 

[dv8r]

And you take a whimsical metaphor seriously; oh, to be you. There is no greater prison.

Because other mobile OS' don't have anything like that problem. What's the bubble like in which you live?

Good thing I wrote "also" - but don't let facts get in the way of your emotions.

Furthermore, the Nano doesn't run iOS in the same sense as other devices (it's a completely closed environment with no app store), the 8" iPad will probably be a doubling of the iPhone's Retina display resolution, and who knows what the TV's going to be like (it'll probably be along the lines of the framework they have for the Nano). So in terms of radically different resolutions, Apple has three distinct ratios they need to worry about for their fully-fledged mobile OS: (480x320)*1/2/4, (1024x768)*1/2 and 1136x640. How will they compete against the unified framework that Anrdoid provides?

You might want to try arguing against what i wrote and not the first thing that comes out of your a**. It's been said, a lot, that the Nano might become a companion device for the iPhone and that it might get some kind of app store integration - so if this is what's to come, will it run IOS or not?

The iPad Mini might be whatever - you don't know... but if you really think it will be a doubling of the iPhone resolution, then thank you for proving my point: two different ratios, same product line <- more messy.

Whatever the tv is going to be like (and i mean the AppleTV box not the TV), it's a different resolution from both the iPhone and iPad.

Why are you mentioning Android - i'm talking about IOS, do you have trouble reading or what's wrong with you?

 

[nerdflower]

Just hype?

Don't you think maybe... just maybe... people actually enjoy using the iPhone, iOS and all its apps?

But they bought it because of hype, if you met or read people who constantly complain about iOS (or anything really), they didn't buy it because they knew, they bought it because of hype, then either they find out they love it, hate it or it got old and they want/need something new. Yes I'm quite jaded.

 

[dv8r]

iPhone mini.... just not going to happen, everyone is wanting a bigger iPhone no one is wanting a smaller screen, and if they by chance do make an iPhone mini it' will most likely go the way of the iPod Nano and have only locked in apps and nothing more.

I meant more of a companion device for the real iPhone not a iPhone mini. Other than that, sold.

 

[nerdflower]

Of course, people started to like their iphones (or smartphones in general) and I believe, the hype has worn off a bit and people start to differentiate a bit more. Customers realised, a smart phone can be used quite conveniently to respond to emails, browsing the web, etc. But fact is: for these kind of things screen size matters. Emails can be typed more easy on a larger screen with a bigger keyboard, webpages are easier to read on a bigger screen, etc.

You are right, just for me its still a small screen, I don't even like web browsing on the iPad, I like my computer screen best. To me a 4.5 or 5" screen is still tiny, you can't really view a web page in comfort, still a lot of zooming / panning required. For emails, because the larger screen means a larger virtual keyboard, that makes it easier to compose, and maybe afford more formatting options on screen, what's on the iPhone is truly super basic emailing. But that is a lot to pay for marginal improvements, we lived with those old cell-phone typing for how many years (which I got pretty good with but now can't stand anymore). People just want new things, and make up all sorts of excuses to pursue it, materialistic lifestyle, not making judgement there, just stating.

 

[verniesgarden]

I meant more of a companion device for the real iPhone not a iPhone mini. Other than that, sold.

like a pebble watch like device? that would be rather nifty if done right, a facetime cam just so I can play dick tracy....

 

[Michael Scrip]

But they bought it because of hype, if you met or read people who constantly complain about iOS (or anything really), they didn't buy it because they knew, they bought it because of hype, then either they find out they love it, hate it or it got old and they want/need something new. Yes I'm quite jaded.

The iPhone isn't exactly new anymore. iPhones have been around for a long time... and long enough to make an informed buying decision.

It's not like you got tricked into seeing a movie and it turned out to be terrible. Movies are hyped all the time.

The truth is... people DO enjoy using an iPhone. And yes... if your friend likes using his... that might help you decide to buy one too. But I wouldn't exactly call that hype... that's more of a recommendation.

Let's be clear... if the iPhone was terrible... it wouldn't still be on sale 5 years later.

But you seems to be convinced that no one in their right mind would ever be happy with an iPhone.

I must disagree.

 

[sticky.chicken]

I guarantee once the hardware specs come out all the people flaming this prototype will sing a different tune.

It could be the best phone ever invented but with that 2 tone look I'll never buy it.

This is unlike the apple designs and just seems rushed and unrefined. I guess we'll all see in 8 days.

 

[fpsBeaTt]

Good thing I wrote "also" - but don't let facts get in the way of your emotions.



You might want to try arguing against what i wrote and not the first thing that comes out of your a**. It's been said, a lot, that the Nano might become a companion device for the iPhone and that it might get some kind of app store integration - so if this is what's to come, will it run IOS or not?

The iPad Mini might be whatever - you don't know... but if you really think it will be a doubling of the iPhone resolution, then thank you for proving my point: two different ratios, same product line <- more messy.

Whatever the tv is going to be like (and i mean the AppleTV box not the TV), it's a different resolution from both the iPhone and iPad.

Why are you mentioning Android - i'm talking about IOS, do you have trouble reading or what's wrong with you?

Do you just not get how English works? How implications and inferences work? You've also contradicted your own reasoning. Sleep tight, bats**t.

 

[PaulChowHK]

It is too bad but this is IPhone 5 we going to be getting. They having many mor nice design but not going be IPhone 5

 

[nerdflower]

The iPhone isn't exactly new anymore. iPhones have been around for a long time... and long enough to make an informed buying decision.

It's not like you got tricked into seeing a movie and it turned out to be terrible. Movies are hyped all the time.

The truth is... people DO enjoy using an iPhone. And yes... if your friend likes using his... that might help you decide to buy one too. But I wouldn't exactly call that hype... that's more of a recommendation.

Let's be clear... if the iPhone was terrible... it wouldn't still be on sale 5 years later.

But you seems to be convinced that no one in their right mind would ever be happy with an iPhone.

I must disagree.

Every year there is a new model and a new wave of hype surrounding its launch. And the thing with any recommendation, its never a guaranteed fit, a friend likes it you may not.

Let me say that I like iOS the most, for its simplicity, it fits me ... so when did I say iPhone / iOS was terrible? I'll never say that because I don't feel that way. I'm saying some people will chase after whatever is the newest, some of these people have switched to the S3 (or whatever phone) from iPhone, I know people who did this, these people don't care or are not loyal to anything they just buy whatever is the perceived new thing ... can Apple hold on to that new thing hype? They do every year, but thanks to the internet and procrastination time, we hear people are already switching instead of waiting for the iPhone, doesn't this happen anyway regardless of what brand is concerned

The people I know who went from iPhone to something else, its a pattern, I see them change phones all the time before they got an iPhone. These are the people I am talking about, they don't care, they just want the newest thing they can afford, its like new a toy to them.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Every year there is a new model and a new wave of hype surrounding its launch. And the thing with any recommendation, its never a guaranteed fit, a friend likes it you may not.

Let me say that I like iOS the most, for its simplicity, it fits me ... so when did I say iPhone / iOS was terrible? I'll never say that because I don't feel that way. I'm saying some people will chase after whatever is the newest, some of these people have switched to the S3 (or whatever phone) from iPhone, I know people who did this, these people don't care or are not loyal to anything they just buy whatever is the perceived new thing ... can Apple hold on to that new thing hype? They do every year, but thanks to the internet and procrastination time, we hear people are already switching instead of waiting for the iPhone, doesn't this happen anyway regardless of what brand is concerned

The people I know who went from iPhone to something else, its a pattern, I see them change phones all the time before they got an iPhone. These are the people I am talking about, they don't care, they just want the newest thing they can afford, its like new a toy to them.

You never said it was terrible.

I said that people buy iPhones because they like them... so they must NOT be terrible.

And that was a reply to your original comment... that said the iPhone is only purchased because of hype.

You seem to be stuck on the hype thing... when the fact is more people are choosing phones other than the iPhone.

Is the iPhone really the hype-machine when it's only 15% of the market?

I bought my iPhone 4S because I wanted it... not because it was hyped up. I purchased it because I liked iOS and its apps... not because it was over-hyped or exaggerated.

Maybe we are getting confused on the definition of "hype"

Yes... there is excitement around every iPhone launch... including next week, in September 2012.

But... people will be buying iPhones in April 2013 too... will they still be fueled by the hype?

 

[nevermind50]

the iPad mini... if this device is released it has a 99.9% probability of having the same aspect ratio as the normal iPad, and most likely have some for of scaling down like the iPad scales up iPhone apps.

The likelihood is that the iPad Mini will run iPad2 apps unchanged. Although the tap targets will be smaller on the smaller screen, this should still be a viable option.


Nevermind.

 

[Zunjine]

It could be the best phone ever invented but with that 2 tone look I'll never buy it.

Some statements just defy parody.

 

[juannacho]

All the boys & girls getting their knickers in a twist about the two-tone thing need to re-read the thread title. MOCKUP.

If you're remotely aware of preceding rumours you'd already know that this is extremely unlikely.

There will be a dark (shades of black) iPhone, and a light (white & raw aluminium) iPhone.

It's unfortunate that this mockup is a mix of the two as it's clearly blown a few fuses round here...

 

[Compile 'em all]

Image

Posting your own post, twice, in the same thread isn't funny.

 

[Zunjine]

All the boys & girls getting their knickers in a twist about the two-tone thing need to re-read the thread title. MOCKUP.

If you're remotely aware of preceding rumours you'd already know that this is extremely unlikely.

There will be a dark (shades of black) iPhone, and a light (white & raw aluminium) iPhone.

It's unfortunate that this mockup is a mix of the two as it's clearly blown a few fuses round here...

Indeed. That said, there's something quite pleasing about the black and silver version. Remembering that it would have a far higher quality finish in the final product, I could see silver and black being a nice combo. I mean, it looks great on the MacBook Pro, right? Why not on an iPhone. If they made a silver and black version I think I'd go for that one.

 

[spacemanspifff]

All the boys & girls getting their knickers in a twist about the two-tone thing need to re-read the thread title. MOCKUP.

If you're remotely aware of preceding rumours you'd already know that this is extremely unlikely.

There will be a dark (shades of black) iPhone, and a light (white & raw aluminium) iPhone.

It's unfortunate that this mockup is a mix of the two as it's clearly blown a few fuses round here...

Agree - Some of the people here are idiots! They look at a photo don't bother to read the article and immediatly post some comment about it as if they are looking at the real shipping phone.

I've recently seen a video of a prototype without any two-tone or even breaks in the back, it looked fantastic! While I think this design would be unlikely for the final product due to signal issues, I would never assume that Apple didn't find another way to "Think Different" and design a way around this too.

Personally I can't wait for the press conference which I hope is on the 12th.

Also to all the people that are moaning about the speaker/mic holes - take a look at the iMac speaker holes for some Apple design inspiration.

I've just seen on AppleInsider http://www.appleinsider.com/article...ld_lead_to_carbon_fiber_macbook_housings.html that Apple has been granted a patent for a new Carbon Fibre moulding process, so it looks like they could now make a very strong unibody phone with no signal issues. Think Different wins again!

 

[Northgrove]

That translates into "Poor engineering resulted in aesthetic design sacrifices." Doesn't sound like the Apple I know.

The Apple you knew sacrificed functionality for design with the iPhone 4, though. Not sure I prefer that over this. I don't even think the design is that horrible. I can absolutely think of less nice looking competitors.

 

[Diatribe]

Here is what's at the bottom
- Headphone jack
- The speaker grill
- The mic grill
- Charger port

Heres whats at the top
- The power button

See the problem there?

Then there is the back camera/flash, its just way too close the the edge of the 2 tone back, even if you put a case on it, the two tone edge will show through the camera cutout, its that near to the camera lens.

Yep, that's what I meant when I said it looks crowded. This reminds me of the iPod box design video:

Microsoft Re-designs the iPod Package

 

[Macist]

It is the result of a unibody design that increases structural rigidity and allows the phone to be thinner.


Also to everyone saying this is just a stretched 4s, you are incredibly ignorant. The fact is, if many of the rumors are true, this could potentially be the biggest upgrade to the iPhone ever and some of you seem to be cherry picking these leaks for things to criticize. We are potentially looking at a fully upgraded external design with a larger screen, an incredibly thin design, unibody integration, and that's not even scratching the surface. On the inside I think we'll see an all new A6 chip with dramatic enhancements, 1gb of faster ram, a larger battery, 4g LTE, a new faster dock connector, and possibly a better FaceTime camera and NFC. HOW ARE SOME OF YOU STILL SAYING THIS ISN'T A BIG UPGRADE. IT'S CHANGING SOME OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF THE IPHONE FOR THE BETTER. WHAT ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT?!?!!

Yep. I think there WAS going to be a tapered design once - hence all those rumours in the run up to the 4s but it just couldn't quite be done. It sounds like Apple went really deep into a design and just said, 'No, this isn't 100% - scrap it'.

I think the iPhone 5 will be stellar. An all-round upgrade in a clever unibody design that reeks quality.

I don't know why people go on about the SIII - it's nicely specced, but too big for the pocket - and looks like a hunk of cheap plastic. Is that what people want? Apple to just throw something like that onto the market?

 

[franzmueller]

As long as twelvesouth makes a bookbook for it I will be happy!

My thoughts too ...

 

[cmykvsrgb]

I said it before and I'll say it again, I want a bigger screen not a taller screen. But I am very invested in the iOS ecosystem. I'm not sure it is enough to keep me though.

Agreed. I'm on the same boat. Lets see what happens, I have a feeling we all might be in for quite a surprise.