When I first saw the leaked photos I was really disappointed. But after having a few weeks to get used to it, and seeing the photos on Gizmodo, I am starting to really like it. The kicker will be seeing it in person, holding it, and really getting a sense of the fit and feel. There are a lot of subtle changes to the form factor that will play out much better in person I feel.
Correct me if I am wrong on this, but it looks as though they are going with a unibody side/back that I feel will really give this phone a more refined look, and I think make it sturdier. Subtle details. The first photos that leaked seemed to indicate that you will still have the same subtle difference in height where the side meets the top glass, that slight raise where you see the space between where the side is meeting the glass and the top. But when you look at the Gizmodo photos, I love that subtle design change where the side is tapered to meet the top of the glass on the front. If that is how it will really be I think once we see it in person, it will leave a great impression on the overall look and feel.
But, there are a few quirks in the design that really took me off guard in regards to what I am comfortable with as far as Apple's design aesthetic. First, the two tone back, the second being the appearance of the larger speaker grill/holes with the headphone jack on the bottom. But when I take into account the 18% difference in overall thickness, I think these elements may come together much better in person.
As far as the headphone jack being moved to the bottom, it makes sense. However, on first glance, these two design differences seem... un-orderly, if you will. I really feel that the back should not be two-toned. This choice makes certain elements just seem, off. Like when looking at the camera at the top and noticing that it's not perfectly centered from the edge of the two-tone below, and the top. The designer in me looks at that and it sticks out, and just seems, to me, like something Jobs/Ive would never let fly. Anal? Yes. But at the same time it's what I am used to now with Apple in regards to their overall approach to design. It also bugs me because it looks as if they just said, the phone is this much bigger, and with the two-tone look, you are seeing exactly how much taller it is on the top, and the bottom, than the iPhone 4/4S. It just looks lazy in regards to the overall design. But at the same time, it does look nice. It's just the balance of that back seems off with the placement of the camera. What can I say, it's the creative director in me and I notice this ****.
The screen size change seemed very strange at first too. Just felt so, un-apple, to segment their devices (iPhone/iPad) with two different aspect ratios. Maybe Apple is starting here and will change the aspect ratio of the iPad next year. I highly doubt it though. I think a 16x9 iPad form factor would be very awkward. But again, without seeing it, touching it, and holding it in your hands, you'll never know for sure.
I do agree that Apple should starting updating their user interface, I think that would go a long way. At this point, iOS is so engrained into their ecosystem that there's no way we are getting away from their overall app/grid UI. I do wish they would start letting developers utilize the whole screen for larger apps/widgets. But overall, I think anyone would be foolish to think, or hope, that a significant redesign of iOS is going to happen now, or in the future.
I remember really disliking the form factor and look of the iPhone 4 when it was released/leaked, both from a design perspective and a functional perspective. But once I went to the store and held it in my hand, I really started to appreciate the industrial design to the point where now, I feel, the overall design of the iPhone 4/4S is a masterpiece. One of the most beautiful pieces of hardware that I have held in my hand. I have hopes that this new design will elicit the same response.
There was a point with the iPhone 4 where I finally took off my case because I felt that the aesthetic value was worth more to me than the utilitarian value (not wanting to scratch, or crack the glass). At that point, for the first time, I felt that the amount of money paid for a phone of this caliber was worth it. It wasn't some hunk of plastic like all the other Android phones. That is the essence of Apple, products that not only function well, but leave the user with a tangible feeling that the premium price paid is well worth it. And that's the ultimate draw, and why we love Apple so much.
I am getting very excited to see it, and I am starting to have high hopes.
Peace
haha
