MacRumors Poll: Design of the Leaked Next-Generation iPhone

[CJS7070]

It looks okay, but definitely does NOT look like an Apple product to me.

 

[Dr Kevorkian94]

this changes everything now that the new iphone has a micro sim i can now wait and get the 3g ipad lets just hope they are interchangeable. even though by that time in a couple months there will probably be a new ipad its great.

 

[syclonefx]

I don't really hate it, but I think the current iPhone looks better. I've been planning on buying a new iPhone for the last year. So I'm buying one. But is it possible that Apple let this version get out on the wild to see everyone reaction? I mean it doesn't look like an Apple product. And if this is the "New" iPhone don't you think Apple's lawyers would be running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to get these pictures off the internet?

 

[puercaeli]

Reminds me of...

http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_n96-pictures-2253.php

as for the design I quite like it but still think quite un-Apple like.
However, given that Apple had to come out with a way of maximising the signal reception.. this can be understandable I guess. Over all, I don't really care as long as it does not dig into my hand...

another thought on this... may be this is like a 'pro' version any may be there is other smaller cheaper version coming out... who knows

 

[Tech-Minded]

I hoping this new design was implemented in order to make the iPhone more comfortable to hold during longer sessions of video watching, gaming, etc.

 

[3goldens]

So they just happened to find this in a bar, somewhere near Apple headquaters and somehow,
whoever found it just knew,
it was the infamous proto type of the soon to be released next generation iphone,
and,
they knew they had to get it to the folks at endgadget so they could release it to the iphone and apple addicts of the world,
who are now hot off the expectation curiosity trail with the recently released iPad and had to have something to quench their insatiable appetities and desperatly jonesing for a brand new gadget to start the rumor and innuendo threads pontificating about how much they love it, hate it, will buy it, won't buy it, because it has this feature, but not another and how in the world could they leave out their personal favorite feature.

Sounds likely to me!

Why don't they just return it to Steve cause he was probably the one that left it that bar in order to throw everyone off track.

 

[na1577]

Anyway, back on topic...

I think the design is a small step backwards. It's not unattractive, but it loses its unique qualities, making it look more like the Zune, and every Sony Ericsson or Samsung phone since 2007 (touchscreen phones, at least).

I do like that it appears to be less fragile than previous iPhones, that's always been a concern of mine.

 

[iSimx]

Although this sounds pretty genuine, that design is very unlike apple. They wouldn't put the sim card slot on the site, they wouldn't put gaps in the aluminuim design along the site. They would want a flush design. Also, How can a square design hold nicer in the hand than the current bevelled design? ...

smells fishy

 

[LagunaSol]

I think the design is a small step backwards. It's not unattractive, but it loses its unique qualities, making it look more like the Zune

People keep making this Zune comparison without acknowledging that the Zune simply looked like Apple products that came before it. How can Apple be derivative of products that were derivative of its own???

 

[Fran-tastic]

One more thing...

If it would have got the bezel it would have been "extremely" akward to take the battery out.

 

[iNtrigued]

I REALLY have doubts about this...................

I mean, do you guys really think this could really have happened?! I mean, c'mon.....an iPhone found at a bar?!?! What did the employee say after going back to work...."I'm sorry Mr. Jobs......I was drunk and accidentally forgot the 4th generation iPhone prototype at the bar. Oops.......can I get a raise now?" PLEASE! LOL

I THINK Apple is starting to hype people up.....this is just the intro to the upcoming iPhone.......because remember.....Apple does have tight lips and security concerning new items........so I really don't think someone just "forgot" or "misplaced" this iPhone. It is probably ALL planned.....who knows? Even Gizmodo might be in on this........

I just think this is just a role Apple is playing on all of us....imagine finding a misplaced iPad at a bar? No way!....you know how much Apple went out of their way to make sure no one would see it or get a hold of it......why would this iPhone be treated any different?

Now, why has no one gone to Apple and ask their execs. to confirm if this iPhone belongs to one of them or if indeed this is the next gen. iPhone??? Once more I think this is Apple's "hype-u-up" strategy for the upcoming iPhone........I bet the next iPhone does not even look like this one on the pictures......

Oh well.....that's the story in my world..........most likely I'll buy it anyway!!! LOL

 

[iNtrigued]

totally....

So they just happened to find this in a bar, somewhere near Apple headquaters and somehow,
whoever found it just knew,
it was the infamous proto type of the soon to be released next generation iphone,
and,
they knew they had to get it to the folks at endgadget so they could release it to the iphone and apple addicts of the world,
who are now hot off the expectation curiosity trail with the recently released iPad and had to have something to quench their insatiable appetities and desperatly jonesing for a brand new gadget to start the rumor and innuendo threads pontificating about how much they love it, hate it, will buy it, won't buy it, because it has this feature, but not another and how in the world could they leave out their personal favorite feature.

Sounds likely to me!

Why don't they just return it to Steve cause he was probably the one that left it that bar in order to throw everyone off track.

I'm with you.......like i said...it's time to turn attention away from the iPad for a little bit and start concentrating on the upcoming iPhone......"we gotta get out consumers pumped up!"

 

[Darbonne]

This design really doesn't look like Apple's style.

 

[Fran-tastic]

So...

(...)

... favorite feature.

+1

Either a total fake

OR

Controlled leak.

This is FREE advertising!

As long nothing that spoil features that can mess up Apple market they won't be taking legal action.

You are just seeing a shell of an already know product and they are not introducing anything that should compromise the product or the company.

This I reckon is more like a market strategy, free advertising and also useful feedback for them.

PS: I like it. Looks solid but I don't get the battery solution after a lot of time of introducing non-replaceble battery devices.

 

[lifeinhd]

Not if they're testing the phone and not selling it. How else would people test their devices before asking for FCC approval? Use logic here, bro.

What makes you think this is a prototype and not a production unit?

Um, why would they put it into production already if the FCC hasn't approved it? What if the FCC were to deny it, then Apple's out $$$. Use logic here, bro.

Now, why has no one gone to Apple and ask their execs. to confirm if this iPhone belongs to one of them or if indeed this is the next gen. iPhone???

You're joking, right?
"Hey, Mr. Jobs, I found this iPhone in a bar, is it yours?"
"Oh, why yes, thank you very much."
"Is it the fourth-generation iPhone?"
"Indeed it is. It's got a double-resolution screen, removable battery, and a front-facing camera. Oh, and don't tell anybody about it, mkay?"

 

[furi0usbee]

Information Removed at Request of Apple Legal

 

[KindredMAC]

Funny how no one has mentioned that this could be considered STOLEN PROPERTY.

 

[na1577]

People keep making this Zune comparison without acknowledging that the Zune simply looked like Apple products that came before it. How can Apple be derivative of products that were derivative of its own???

Because I don't agree that the Zune design was derivative of any Apple designs.

 

[canucksfan88]

i honestly do not believe this thing was found in a bar....
of all the places?

but really, i doubt they would say 'oh we met up with and apple employee in a dark ally"

either
1) this is a controlled leak by apple to direct attention away from the iPad and its problems
2)a very disgruntled apple employee who didn't care that he/she leaked out a iphone prototype

 

[Kwill]

Features embodied in the "new" design are significantly improved. Overall design with complimentary straight and curve lines is better in prior models IMHO.

 

[stealthman1]

It doesn't look like an Apple design at all. I hope it's a fake designed to give MS fanboys erections...but oh, no poon for you, go watch porn on your Zune! One LED flash and a front camera for what? So the person you're talking to can look in your earhole? Or better yet up yer nose...maybe that LED flash should go on the front?

 

[E.Lizardo]

I guess this is a better place for a more formal critique. Here is my take on this as a designer:

I feel this iteration is a step backwards for a number of reasons. The design as a whole is much less familiar as an iPhone and an Apple product. The classic silver bezel is gone as are the simplistic lines that grace all of Apple's industrial designs. By removing the curved backing, Apple has taken away ergonomic considerations, something they were careful to champion when the first iPhone and even the iPad were released.

Taking this a step further, the transition between the glass front and the aluminum center housing is awkward. Evidence by the close up images provided by Gizmodo, the materials are not flush and come together more like tectonic plates than a finely tuned industrial design. There are also smaller design inconsistencies, including the volume buttons, which no longer have their contexts defined. What this means is that the previous volume rocker made it clear that the top was volume up and the bottom volume down. These new buttons, perhaps to Apple's benefit, are no longer as strictly defined.

Overall, the 3G/3GS seem much more well executed and resolved. I will be disappointed if this turns out to be the real deal, but I am extremely doubtful.

How can people look at an imac and ipad and say this is un-apple?In fact,other than materials it also matches the mac mini and airport extreme.

 

[ozarkchoir]

design, buttons, and microsim...and the next hints...

As a person who had the original iPhone then moved onto the 3G quicker than I wanted (dropped my 2G iPhone and had to replace it), I am hopeful that we've gone to a "squarer minimalistic" type design. To me personally it seems sleek and matches the macbook pro line very well. I personally never liked the curvy plastic back of the 3G and 3GS. Take out the seams and I think that's a beautiful phone. But hey I'm no designer I'm just a high school teacher...so what do i know...

As far as the buttons... hmmm I have hopes... Have any developers seen hints at being able to use the hardware buttons as buttons for your app? I mean think of the possibilities... the iPhone, & iPod Touch game market might get even more competitive with the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS if the use of hardware buttons are available. Hold the phone in landscape and use the buttons on top much like many other game consoles and controllers out there.... hmmm possibilities. Not to mention.. my volume rocker just fell off my iPhone 3G. A sturdier individual button design hopefully will be better. And of course as several have mentioned using the volume buttons to aid in the camera app will be a very welcome change.

Microsim... could there be hope for the iPhone crowd to be able to swap sims in the iPad 3G+Wifi.... So we only have one friggin data fee to pay a month... I mean it's probably not an option... but man one can dream right? That in itself would convince me to get a 3G+Wifi iPad instead of just a Wifi. I'm not sure I would use the 3G all that much to make it a worthwhile investment...but if it's something that is interchangeable with my my new iPhone...then I'm definitely tempted. But like I said...wishful dreaming.

Finally... Gizmodo is supposedly coming out with another article right? The insides will be pardon the pun the "proof in the pudding". A4 processor?

Well here's to investigating this for the next few weeks. Exciting times... I'm ready to upgrade my iPhone 3G.

 

[Porco]

I think it looks a little better. And I think Apple leaked it accidentally on purpose. This is likely to be my first iPhone, so if this is it I'd be pretty happy.

 

[sideburn]

Could be cheap or excellent...

Cheap = Plastic
Excellent = Aluminum/Alloy

Quality is why I switched to Apple in the first place. A cheap plastic iPhone gets nothing but a lackluster yawn...

Otherwise, I like the setup.