iPhone N94 Prototype Back Cover - Is this actually the iPhone 5?

[bushido]

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i dont want a phone that looks the same as the previous generation. its like buying the same shoes twice. less after a few months delay, where is the excitement of unpacking it for the very first time etc ... im sure im not the only one who feels that way.

 

[chrmjenkins]

Most plausible scenario:

8GB iPhone 4 that's compatible with all 4 carriers for $99 (to stave off the assault from Android). Looks just like the current one but a redesigned antenna.

16/32GB iPhone 5 that's also compatible with all 4 carriers (because it's the new hotness). New design for more lust.

I don't think Apple can pull of a 3GS again and just keep the same design for their high end model. Sure, it sold well, but it ends up causing confusion in the market place because people look for visual cues to tell what phone they have. Simply put, if you had to direct someone over the phone to tell the difference between the 3G and 3GS, you know there's not that much difference between them.

I would buy that (redesigned antenna meaning a new ref des is needed and thus N94), but the problem is that N94 was identified in iOS software as having an A5 processor. So, I'm not sure that's what is going on here.

Cheaper iPhone 4 with an A5 processor?

arn

Doubtful. A5 die area is significantly larger than the A4 die area, so even if the yield is even better than the A4 rate, they're still getting far fewer per die meaning more cost to them. I think the A5 will be restricted to the actual iphone 5.

 

[theBB]

At least the 3GS could take a drop without the back shattering and didn't get a negative review in consumer reports for not holding a signal properly.

They tested it wrong. Well, actually, I am not kidding. You don't test the effectiveness of an antenna in a Faraday cage. Their technicians thought they knew more than they actually did. Other engineering organizations pointed that out, but they were too proud to back down. They also ignored the many other phones that behave very similarly, but at that point denigrating iPhone became more of a badge of honor, an indication of independence.

Don't take me wrong. I really like Consumer Reports. Not accepting freebies and advertising makes their reviews unbiased and reliable for most products. They are my most trusted source for cars, dishwashers, lawn movers etc. When it comes to electronics though, it seems they come up with geeky tests conducted at well controlled environments that emphasize one spec or another. They grade them based on features, but they do not consider how well the whole package comes together all that well and how it may perform in a real world enviorenment. For example, I bought a Samsung Blu-Ray player, among the highly rated ones in Consumer Reports. One of the features was Netflix streaming. For some reason, it never mentioned the buggy interface, the frequent bufferings etc. The image quality with the streaming movies is fairly poor failry often, even though connecting my laptop to the same TV gives really good quality for the same movie.

 

[MH01]

The current design works for me. So not too worried about the externals.

Though if they are keeping the design the same.... that means they are going to sue everyone else in the markert... prefer if they just innovated and got a new design

 

[greytmom]

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I love the current design, so it's fine with me if they don't change it.

 

[GorgonPhone]

My predictions:

1. There will be no "Cheaper" iPhone model as this dilutes the premium brand - the iP4 will be the entry level just as the 3GS is now.

2. There will be no iPhone 4S.

3. iPhone 5 (could be called the iPhone V) will look basically the same as iP4 with amends to antenna design and faster A5 chip (maybe a change to home button on the front - personally I hope not) it will also be a world phone for the first time, so will work on any network.

4. Those case designs with the shallow wedge shape will be for the next gen iPod touch.

^^^ i agree 100% all leaks and images point to this.. there is no indication of a larger screen or a redesign.. so yes they will follow the 3g - 3gs product evolution.. with 4 - 4s.. then 5 next year for the big redesign..

so i will skip the 4s just like i skipped ipad 2 which is morr of an ipad 1s...lol

 

[Number 41]

Yet your happy to have the screen made out of glass that if dropped on could potentially lead to the same desired result?

Proved very durable for me so far.

Congrats to you. I personally know 3 people who have shattered the backs of their iPhone 4s. Glass front + Glass back = 2 x the number of potential shatter events v. an iPhone 3GS.

And as far as the "specs" of the phone mattering, there isn't a single feature in iOS 5 that requires an A5 processor. Not one. So you tell me what good having an A5 will do for you that can't already be done on an iPhone 4.

 

[dixido]

I sure hope that the N94 is an iPhone 5 in a iPhone 4's body that are sent to App developers and that the iPhone 5 will indeed be a redesign.

I think the iPhone is in bad need of a bigger screen to keep up with the competitors. Besides, what is the need of an A5 if the resolution doesn't get quadropled? iOS 5 runs smoothly on the iPhone 4 today. Let's hope for the best!

 

[mdelvecchio]

In effect, they're forcing everyone who wants a new iPhone to buy the 5 even though a current-model 4 has the exact same features (give or take a MP upgrade on the camera or a useless processor update), do the exact same things, and run the exact same iOS (iOS 5) software.

how exactly are they "forcing" anyone to upgrade?

also, why do you feel the need to replace your phone every year? do you replace your car every year Honda updates the Civic? your Mac? no. why? because it's just an update. it's good for new buyers but it's not really expected all existing customers will replace handsets. thats silly.

 

[rockametrics]

People only want a redesign for the iPhone 5 so they can differentiate themselves from previous users and show off. "look at me I have the latest model"

Yep sounds good

 

[Eso]

This is just to throw you off the scent - don't be deceived!

 

[appleguy123]

Cheaper iPhone 4 with an A5 processor?

arn

Is it cheaper to manufacture two processor variants or one?

 

[mandis]

I love the design of the iphone 4. I hope they keep it for many more years!

The 3G/3GS looked cheap and utterly unresolved. Much like all those Samsungs and HTCs...

 

[LoganT]

Even if it is the same design, it will still be a significant upgrade, at least internally. Remember the 3G to 3GS gave us:

Video Camera
Compass
More Storage
More memory
Improved camera

The 3GS was significantly impoved over the 3G, even if they looked exactly the same.

 

[Sedrick]

Even if it is the same design, it will still be a significant upgrade, at least internally. Remember the 3G to 3GS gave us:

Video Camera
Compass
More Storage
More memory
Improved camera

The 3GS was significantly impoved over the 3G, even if they looked exactly the same.

Well, if it's the same exact shell but with new internals, at least we'll know where Apple stands on the iPhone product line: It's finished evolving, just a new engine under the hood every year and a half.

 

[Stevesbodyguard]

You know what ? I bet this is the iPhone 5. There is no 4S. They'll simply make a iPhone 4 with either 8GB or just keep the 16GB model and lower the price.

Like they did with the 3G in 2009 and the 3GS in 2010.

Simplify guys, you're overthinking.

What you are saying sounds smart, but my information came from someone at Apple. I asked, "Is this really the new iPhone 5" and he said, "No. 4S.".

I am still clinging to the hopes of a new form factor for the iPhone 5.

 

[mdelvecchio]

I know but Retina is nothing but a gimmick. Whats the point if the screen is small anyway

no, it isnt. it's a higher dpi than any other phone. this is much easier on the eyes, which has a practical value. i can read content w/o pixelation requiring me to zoom-in, as on 3GS.

 

[Number 41]

The 3GS was significantly impoved over the 3G, even if they looked exactly the same.

iOS 4 features like multi-tasking required an 3GS or a 4 -- iOS 5 has zero new features that require an iPhone 5.

They could quintuple the processor speed on the thing and it wouldn't make a whit of real-world difference to people. Until software requires processor speed, it's just a number on the spec list with no real value except to geeks who like to obsess about such details.

To the regular consumer, what's the selling point for an iPhone 5?

 

[chrmjenkins]

Is it cheaper to manufacture two processor variants or one?

It depends on the processors. In this case, it's cheaper to continue producing A4 because it has a smaller die area, and thus more per wafer, and they continue to need the A4 for as long as they make the appleTV in its current version.

 

[mdelvecchio]

i dont want a phone that looks the same as the previous generation. its like buying the same shoes twice. less after a few months delay, where is the excitement of unpacking it for the very first time etc ... im sure im not the only one who feels that way.

who says your supposed to replace your iphone every year like a pair of shoes? do you replace your Civic every year? your Mac? but...there are updates, right?

updating a product line is to keep it relevant -- memory, cpu, storage, etc. doing a complete aesthetic redesign is gravy, but not the point.

 

[Number 41]

who says your supposed to replace your iphone every year like a pair of shoes? do you replace your Civic every year? your Mac? but...there are updates, right?

2 year contracts = 2 year replacement cycle.

My 3GS is over 2 years old, out of Apple Care, and the radio inside won't pick up a 3G signal any longer.

I've been waiting for the iPhone 5, but it looks like I'd have just been better off getting a 4 and starting my upgrade clock sooner.

 

[appleguy123]

Cheaper iPhone 4 with an A5 processor?

arn

Is it cheaper to manufacture two processor variants or one?

 

[sampdoria]

geez, i do hope for a re-design like this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxYnuHX3LCI

I know it's fake but - thinner, infinity edge screen, symmetrical taper, unibody finish on the back. (Well done Peter, Apple should hire you!)

I love my iPhone 4 but I think it has way too much glass (therefore too fragile) and it could be more ergonomic when held in hand i.e. bring back some curves to the form.

 

[LoganT]

Well, if it's the same exact shell but with new internals, at least we'll know where Apple stands on the iPhone product line: It's finished evolving, just a new engine under the hood every year and a half.

No, it means the iPhone 6 will be the new design.

 

[bushido]

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i dont want a phone that looks the same as the previous generation. its like buying the same shoes twice. less after a few months delay, where is the excitement of unpacking it for the very first time etc ... im sure im not the only one who feels that way.

who says your supposed to replace your iphone every year like a pair of shoes? do you replace your Civic every year? your Mac? but...there are updates, right?

updating a product line is to keep it relevant -- memory, cpu, storage, etc. doing a complete aesthetic redesign is gravy, but not the point.

i do mess around, upgrade my mac and used to get a new phone every few months. i get bored easily and i hate having old hardware, i cant even take it having old softwareversions. im weird like that lol