Apple iPhone 5 prototype 'shown in hands-on
With Apple expected to announce the next generation of the iPhone on September 12, almost every day brings new leaks supposedly showing parts of the product, including what were claimed to be redesigned Apple headphones yesterday (September 3).
Whilst it is impossible to verify whether the handset shown in this latest video is genuine, it does offer one of the most convincing glimpses at what to expect from the world's biggest technology firm this month.
Posted on YouTube yesterday, the hands-on video shows a handset that is longer than the iPhone 4S to accommodate a larger screen - thought to be 4 inches, up from the current model's 3.5-inch display.
However, the new phone is shown to be the same width as the current version and also a bit thinner.
The front-facing camera has moved to the middle at the top of the handset in this supposed prototype, adding further fuel to speculation that the phone will come with an NFC chip, enabling users to make mobile payments.
There is a speaker and a microphone on the very bottom of the handset, and the audio jack has also moved there from the top.
This forms a new-look base to the iPhone with the rumoured smaller dock connector, supposedly a 19-pin port rather than the 30-pin one that is used in all current Apple mobile devices.
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The narrator of the video notes that this is why they are unable to charge or use the phone. Whilst the person can turn the handset on, it merely brings up the Apple logo and prompts him to input the new connector.
On the rear of the handset there is the same camera with flash, along with the Apple logo in the middle above the word "iPhone", suggesting Apple will follow the approach with the new iPad of not adding a numeral to its smartphone.
The new iPhone is often referred to as the "iPhone 5" as it will be the successor to the iPhone 4S, despite actually being the sixth generation of the device. It is thought that Apple is keen to streamline the product branding and avoid confusion.
The supposed prototype has the serial number "XXXX" and the rear casing is made of matte black aluminium, which is described as "nice to the touch and doesn't leave any fingerprints".
Based on what has already been reported, the proportions and placement of components on the prototype broadly fits with previous speculation - although this could still quite easily be an elaborate fake.
