Lost Next-Generation iPhone Believed to Be Late-Stage or Final Design

[MacRumors]

Since the leak of a next-generation iPhone earlier this week, questions have been raised about how closely the device in question matches what ends up being the final shipping product, expected to be launched later this year. Apple undoubtedly creates a number of prototypes of its products as it seeks to settle on designs that will achieve its technical and aesthetic goals, and while one might expect that Apple would wait until a nearly-final design had been reached before sending Apple employees out into the wild with the devices, time constraints and other issues could result in Apple sending out devices for performance testing while continuing to redesign other aspects.

In a lengthy post analyzing the circumstances of the lost iPhone, Daring Fireball's John Gruber notes that it appears that the device closely resembles, if not matches, the final design for the public launch.

According to Gizmodo, one of the barcodes attached to the unit read "N90_DVT_GE4X_0493". According to several sources (of mine) familiar with the project, "N90" is Apple's codename for the fourth-generation GSM iPhone, slated for release this June or July. "DVT" stands for "design verification test", an Apple production milestone. The DVT milestone is very late in the game; based on this, I now believe that this unit very closely, if not exactly, resembles what Apple plans to release.

Gruber's thoughts echo those of iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens, who noted earlier this week that the device appeared to be close to the final shipping version.

It's closer to production than I was expecting. I'd say this thing is very very close.

While the evidence does not preclude Apple from making last-minute feature or design changes to the next-generation iPhone, it does indicate that Apple believes it has essentially a final design in hand.

Article Link: Lost Next-Generation iPhone Believed to Be Late-Stage or Final Design

 

[Grimace]

If only we knew if there was going to be a Verizon version...finding one of those in the wild would have been monumental.

 

[sbrhwkp3]

Cool. I love it. I think that phone is great.

 

[theheadguy]

After purchasing, and returning, the first few generations of iphones, something tells me this will be a keeper regardless of how the final design is tweaked.

But, the phone is definitely not 'spectacular' or 'magical' rolleyes in its current form, that's for certain.

BTW: people who are still wiping tears of anger and sadness that something got leaked early, get over it already.

 

[MacConvert07]

Fine by me....This design is great....Except for those tiny screws at the bottom...I bet they won't be there in the "street" version.

 

[VenusianSky]

Looks good enough for me and I am ready for an upgrade.

 

[Goona]

Apple should sue Gizmodo. This 'I would do anything just to get the lead on a rumour" attitude people have these days is sick. I guess they benefited from it, look how much page hits they got.

 

[Staindsoul]

I honestly don't care too much what it looks like. Going to put a case on it anyways.

I care more about what it does. Please just release it this summer, thats what I care about.

 

[lifeinhd]

I really hope this is it, minus the seams. I love the design!

 

[nwcs]

Apple will probably change up something, just enough to keep some surprise in store for the real reveal.

 

[Wolfie Scooter]

Fine by me....This design is great....Except for those tiny screws at the bottom...I bet they won't be there in the "street" version.

I agree. I think the outer aluminum "ring" will be unibody without the visible screws or break lines. Those are most likely just to make assembly easier for the prototype units.

 

[modit]

Good to know

This design looks like a winner. Going back to the aluminum-esque style of the 1st generation is going to make my 3G look like a toy.

Hoping the increase the screen size in the future.

 

[Perrumpo]

I really hope this is it, minus the seams. I love the design!

Agreed, I like the retro look of it, but not the seams.

 

[breatheasy]

I love the new design, and I think its very unlikely that the screws will be there on the mass produced model.

 

[nikhsub1]

Apple should sue Gizmodo. This 'I would do anything just to get the lead on a rumour" attitude people have these days is sick. I guess they benefited from it, look how much page hits they got.

 

[douglaswilliams]

All the more reason why Gizmodo should have ripped the thing opened to find out what processor is in it!

 

[mubo]

I dont know if this has been picked up, but has no one noticed 2009 on one of the ribbons?

 

[Compile 'em all]

Gruber's post was really solid. I am guessing Apple will start suing after they release the iPhone.

 

[SPNarwhal]

why do you guys care about seams so much?
holy ****.

and even if the screws are still there, it's not like they're popping out.
i personally like the screws and seams.

 

[3goldens]

I think there will be some modifications still. It would not be like Mr. Jobs leave screws visible, the overall look is very unfinished and to me very "Un Apple".

But we shall see and I am sure the speculation will be rampant until it is formally unveiled!

 

[The Phazer]

Fine by me....This design is great....Except for those tiny screws at the bottom...I bet they won't be there in the "street" version.

Arrghh! Why! They're there on the 3GS already! they ain't going anywhere.

I'm really glad we're getting past this idea that Apple have somehow engineered everything into the cases that phone has in a way that they're going to make any significant changes to. They'll have sunk a lot into making this - it's obviously near final if not absolutely final.

Phazer

 

[*LTD*]

Agreed, I like the retro look of it, but not the seams.

I don't think Apple would actually intend a retro look for any of its products.

I'm a bit hot and cold on this design now. Still, Apple might unveil something different in June. We cant know for sure.

 

[otis123]

That can't be the final design for the volume rocker, looks too retro. And why wouldn't they have used that button design on the ipad? I bet it changes back to the rocker.

 

[Otaviano]

I think there will be some modifications still. It would not be like Mr. Jobs leave screws visible, the overall look is very unfinished and to me very "Un Apple".

But we shall see and I am sure the speculation will be rampant until it is formally unveiled!

Guess he looked the other way with the current iPhone which also has visible screws.

 

[mubo]

I think the little hole next to the jack plug has more to do with the seems than just opening an imaginary door to the battery. It could be a touch sensor which works with the sides?