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Aluminum backing will provide more grip and show no fingerprints on the back other than the Apple logo (perhaps).

But is it scratch-resistant? No. Ask iPad and original iPhone owners. You will probably still buy a case for it if you plan to be OCD with it during those early honeymoon days.

And Apple telling us where the antenna is going to be will still have more people gripping it at those certain spots. An aluminum backing may not help reception either. Antennagate from last year was overblown by the media, Android fans, and Apple haters. Even sour grape iPhone 3GS owners who couldn't upgrade last year probably complained about it on the internet. Because that is what the internet is for in this attention-whore grabbing Facebook/Twitter culture we live in. To complain about any little thing and document any little flaw to be try to be funny and gather comments and "likes."

A few % of returns claimed and the satisfaction rating for iPhone was still #1. iPhone is still the most envied phone out there. But some of these idiots ended up with a free case out of it and refund for their bumper. Props to Apple for being generous trying to cater to them. Apple may have went with looks over ergonomics last year, but it would be a shame to see the glass gone from a small percentage of complainers after spending time and money with R&D on it.

You would be foolish to think aluminum backing prevents it from scratches or slipping. It does help prevent shatter and fingerprints though. I prefer a soft touch from the back of the BlackBerry Storm. More grip. Every single year a new iPhone gets released, you will always hear some complaints about it. Always. Whining on the internet about a new iPhone every year is as guaranteed as death and taxes.
 
I'm not sure if this was posted, but I hope with the tapered bottom it will fit in my ipad dock that I do not use since I do not use it.
 
I doubt Apple would just abandon the iPhone 4 design just like that. It's kinda admitting that the antenna issue is real. Imo Apple would stick with the same design for probably another round (plus the advantage of accessories aplenty, something that they pointed out as the advantage of the 3GS during the antennagate keynote). This one, however, could be likely the cheaper iPhone.
 
While I'd like an aluminum back on the next phone I don't like the scalloped back of that mockup. Just like the 3g/s. Boo! Put an aluminum back on a design like the iPhone 4 and I'd be a happy consumer!
 
While I'd like an aluminum back on the next phone I don't like the scalloped back of that mockup. Just like the 3g/s. Boo! Put an aluminum back on a design like the iPhone 4 and I'd be a happy consumer!

That's funny. I didn't upgrade to the iphone4 because it didn't have the curved back. The 3gs is much more comfortable in my hand. I'm going to the iphone 5 no matter the case b/c my 3gs is slowly dying, but I'd love it if they brought back the curved back.

Different strokes for different folks as they say.
 
here comes all the iPad 2 look alike mods for iPhone 5... like this has never happened before.
iPhone-G4.jpg

I LOVE this design. Only thing missing is flash :) But I don't see any reason why apple WOULD NOT go for this. It's a good design. Sexier than iPhone 4
 
I'm not sure if this was posted, but I hope with the tapered bottom it will fit in my ipad dock that I do not use since I do not use it.

There is no tapered bottom. That was just a mock-up someone invented. The whole rumor is false. Stop it.
 
Well it *better* happen if they don't do a redesign, since a serious bumps in specs is needed to keep high sales.

On the other hand - the current specs are quite impressive already, how to improve that significantly?

They could make the "Phone" part of iPhone work. I can see the marketing line, "The new iPhone 5 only hangs up when you want it to."
 
I guess I had temporary amnesia in regards to apple coming out with a new phone every year. I wouldn't mind if the upgrade was minor.. When I had my iPhone 3G, it didn't bother me at all about the 3GS coming out.
 
If they replace the iP4 glass back with anything other than glass for the iP5 I'll buy one. An iPod touch with included phone would do me fine, thank you. My 3G is fine as far as it goes, but I want better specs, just not more fragility.

Oh and glass sucks as a design material by the way. It's just not warm and fuzzy, it's sharp, prickly and unfriendly. The smooth curves of my iP 3G caress my skin every time use it so that I get tactile satisfaction from it every time I hold it! Fantastic phone.
 
Kitchen sink is so 20th century.... I was thinking induction stove top. The Glass back will be not just a cover any longer, but you can cook meals :p

surely they can do it, they've already implemented the technology in their MacBooks!
 
I like iPhone 4 design better than this mockup!

I like the styling of the iPhone 4. Why not use the same antenna for the iPhone 5 but just add a thin layer of glass on it just to insulate it.
 
I really hope this is true. The original iPhone is probably the best looking one. I'm hoping they will make the iPhone 5 look like a smaller version of the iPad 2. They should offer the iPhone 5 with the aluminum back, with a choice of black or white for the front panel, just like the iPad 2. :)
 
if apple stick with the same design, am i fu*k getting it. this iphone 4 has been nothing but trouble for me personally. so they best bring out new design. also the same design as iphone 4 with aluminium back will look stupid. its gunna look like new ipad i think same back and same front as ipad and iphone 4
 
iPhone 4S, This changes nothing really, again.
 

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