“We’ve gotten word from a reliable source at Foxconn in China that the iPhone 5, as it is currently being called, is currently being geared for production,” Seth Weintraub reports for 9to5Mac. “The source said various sample devices are also floating around (which vary slightly from one another) so it is impossible to tell which one will be the final.”
Some things in common with all of them, however, are:
• 4+ inch display (made by LG on at least one of them)
• No teardrop-shaped devices as were rumored in the lead up to the iPhone 4S. Samples so far have been symmetrical in thickness. Also longer/wider.
• None of the sample devices have the iPhone 4/4S form factor
• None of the devices are final versions
Weintraub reports, “This source is the same that indicated to us late last summer that the iPhone 5 wasn’t happening against the prevailing tide of information, and Apple was building the iPhone 4S model instead.”
Read more in the full article here.
I call this one complete BS. A larger screen will require a different resolution and as for increasing the form factor, no way!
No, changing screen size does not require a change in resolution, just like when the resolution went to retina res without a screen size change… Pixel size can be modifed.
Just to play devil’s advocate, it might make sense to change the form factor in a way that compliments the new resolution.
I guess it could work. It could be the same number of pixels (960×640), but just slightly bigger (4″ diagonal). That would make the resolution slightly lower, but it probably won’t be noticeable with retina graphics. It would affect the usability of existing apps, but it would actually make everything slightly easier to see and touch because it everything would be slightly bigger.
The only thing I can think of that it would really screw up is any app expecting an exact screen size, like a ruler app, but I don’t think there are many apps like that, and they can be updated by the developers.
I agree, gcap. For a display with 960×640 pixels, the resolution would decrease from 326 ppi for a 3.5″ display to around 288 ppi for a 4″ display. I would be willing to trade a modest reduction in resolution for a ~30% increase in display area. It would be better for photos, videos, internet, maps, etc., because it would be larger (~14.3% increase in linear dimensions), even though it would not display any additional information. As has been stated, some icons, etc. might look a bit strange, but new versions of the apps could be developed to readjust the touch controls to be more compatible with a 288 ppi display.
As I have said in the past, I would expect only minor changes in the dimensions of the iPhone 5 (relative to the iPhone 4) to accommodate the larger display. Of course, other design changes, such as 4G wireless connectivity and battery capacity may also have an impact of the dimensions of the iPhone 5. As far as I am concerned, it’s all good.
I am a bit leery of going much larger than 4″ for the iPhone display. There is a practical limit in there somewhere, unless the display is flexible/deployable, or projected (hologram?!). I have not personally checked out the 4.5″ displays on some of the Android phones. Larger displays would probably work a little better on a display with an HD ratio (1.78:1) than on the iPhone 3:2 ratio. The HD ratio makes the screen narrower in the portrait orientation.
This post is an obvious TROLL! Probably written by some pundit with accuracy worse than a stopped clock. How many times is something like this posted? Anyone want change for a $10, I have $3 and $7 bills. 🙂
Not gonna get myself all lathered up about rumors.
Seth, take a break and go have a cup of coffee…
I’ll wait for Apple to release the ‘real deal’.
Somewhere deep in the bowels of the Colorado Mountains, a certain Timothy F. Cook is planning a nuclear strike against Android.
“It’s no use resorting to the law courts, Tim. We’ve tried, and it’s an abject failure.”
“Ok, bring me the launch codes.”
“There you are sir, what number should I punch in?”
“4.”
“4, sir? Is there no other?”
“No, just 4. Muhahahahahahaha…world domination!”
If this turns out to be real, will you shut the hell up? Or will you find something else to whine about?
——RM
I’m afraid we all alread know the answer to that question…
What did the left nut say to the right nut? If we can just get 4″ between us, it would be world domination. Alas, only three-and-a-half.
The moral of the story? Sometimes just half-an-inch makes all the difference.
Will you stand out in the cold, over night, camp out, first in line, to get one?
Your posts are about as witty as your stupid gay username.
Please return to us, o Shadow Warrior. We have need of your talents on the battlefield of gods.
Bring back zunetang. We miss you.
Zilla has exiled me but I will return. With plenty of shurikens.
We already have the same rumours for all of previous year before October release of fifth generation iPhone.
Now we are going to have this year, too.
These are probably just the testing models. Somebody got a tip on a production run and blew the issue out of proportion.
iPhone 5 will be able to SEND and RECEIVE calls and texts and emails and as bunch ofg other neast stuff. It will be released in the future and wqill have a display screen. Humans qwill enjoy it immensely
Gee, that’s nice. I’ll see it when it gets here.
I think Apple intentionally throws iPhone prototypes out there, to confuse the rumor mongers and fuel the ongoing media frenzy. Last year, most people were sure there would be a “tapered” iPhone 5 with 4-inch screen, probably because of a prototype.
If Apple feels compelled to have an iPhone with 4-inch screen, but not make the phone bulkier or heavier, and not affect compatibility or usability, here’s how to do it. Keep the current screen’s width (same number pixels in the short direction). Make the screen taller so that it is 4 inches diagonally (more pixels in the long direction). It should be possible to fit such a screen and not make the iPhone noticeably larger.
When held vertically, the current 960×640 screen gets displayed from the bottom upward, leaving a narrow “gap” of slightly less than half-inch at the top (the status strip is still be at the very top). This makes the user interface identical to the current iPhone, when the phone is held vertically. That extra space at the top gets used to display additional information, with options for the user (weather, stocks, Facebook, etc.). There is no compatibility issue with existing apps, and no change in usability (especially when the iPhone is used with only one hand).
When held horizontally, there is a new “widescreen” mode. Videos would look significantly better and larger using the whole wider screen. Developers can take advantage of the new widescreen mode, just as they updated apps to take advantage of the Retina Display. Existing apps are simply centered on the wider screen, and there is no compatibility issue or change in usability.
Don’t forget that Apple in the past has intentionally told certain employees differing specs or models to ferret out who is leaking what.
Depending on what rumor hits the web, Apple would know which employee to grill.
Take all sources with a grain of salt… and tequila.
You are stretching the pixels, ken1w. Apple likes square pixels.
Yes, “sources say,” “sources say.”
Amazing how none of these “sources” have any names attached to them ever.
I think Apple has prototypes and rumors started just so the Toy Phone and Tablet companies like SameSlung, and Htc, etc, are sure to copy those features, thus gaining a competitive advantage! To the copiers of the world-go with the rumors!
🙂