Question for people thinking that the taller iPhone may be a fake...

I agree with you. Some people are in denial here, "These leaks are fake, Apple put out these false rumors! OMGz!".

Except that these "fake" part leaks would only draw more attention to the fact a new iPhone is coming. Apple would potentially lose sales as people anticipate a new iPhone: people may just decide to buy another smartphone if they don't like the leaks, or antsy people may just buy something else in the interim (but never upgrade to an iPhone).

I'm not saying Apple doesn't start fake verbal rumors (ex. Tear-Drop iPhone), but I don't think they would do these fake part leaks. Also note how this is the ONLY iPhone rumor - surely we'd see another rumor if this was a fake leak (like we did last year with the real 4S rumor, and the tear-drop one).

 

I do not think it is a fake, I just hope it is. I have no desire for the phone to be only taller, and I do not like the two toned back.

The way I could see Apple benefiting from it being a fake is the media reaction and all the coverage that will follow. Also, It would be pretty impressive if Apple pulled it off in order to hide the real phone they were working on/producing.

An example of this: thechive.com created a couple hoaxes that blew up on the internet, which got them free publicity. The Chive is a site featuring hot girls, funny pictures, and funny videos. It now has much more significant traffic and awareness because of the hoaxes they created that went viral.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chive

Again, Do I think they are really doing that? No, but I can dream.

----------

Yet... the sales are down... but their stock is WAY up... and still going up... $651.41 (according to my stocks app right now).

I am not saying you are wrong, but the parts leaks (and possibility of the iPad Mini) are sending their stocks soaring, cuz the sales are not causing it.

ADDITIONAL: The Tear Drop rumor would have hurt them more than this rumor (if it were fake)... because we were seeing the tear drop as a bigger 3:2 phone... and then got the 4S. At least in this situation, it is a "new" design either way

 

Sales will ultimately dictate stock prices; see Palm in 2009 with the Pre announcement then the sales months later (prices tanked).

Also, obviously I'm only assuming the tear-drop case as Apple's rumor. But, my original point stands that starting 'fake' part leaks/rumors may hurt Apple more than help them in the long run.