Case leak pointing to iPhone nano?
updated 09:50 am EST, Mon December 15, 2008
iPhone nano Case Leak
Apple may be close to releasing a smaller iPhone, a case leak from China suggests. Coming from the same site that accurately leaked cases for the current iPod nano and iPod touch, the shots of an XSKN case show a device which is about 20 percent shorter than the 3G model and slightly narrower; thickness is unknown but doesn't appear substantially thicker than the iPhone 3G, with which it shares its tapered design and a likely chrome bezel. The device accordingly has a smaller home button but keeps a camera and side controls for the ringer and volume.
Full features aren't disclosed, though an accompanying leak suggests the phone will drop 3G as part of its price reduction. Production is allegedly starting on December 20th with between 60,000 to 80,000 units made per day and may see Apple introduce the phone at Macworld with availability shortly afterwards.
Corroborating reports have yet to surface, though the claim partly supports a rumor of 4GB iPhones that would be sold at Walmart for $99 on contract. Concerns nonetheless exist over the viability of a smaller device, such as consistency in interface for the smaller screen and a potential smaller resolution as a result.
Such a device would be potentially very damaging to both Palm and Research in Motion, both of whom have so far been able to count on lower-cost devices like the Centro and discounted BlackBerry Curve and Pearl, all of which significantly undercut the iPhone 3G's base $199 asking price.
The rumor also mentions that Apple may also choose to introduce a redesigned iPod shuffle, though the device was just given a new color range in September.
iphone? more likely ipod.
12/15, 11:01am reply
doesn't it seem far more likely that this would be a case for a ipod touch nano???
if you have ever seen the internals of an iphone,
it is pretty easy to see how unlikely it is that this is a phone... think about how the battery life would suck.
dtheory
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2002
Then I'd bite...
12/15, 11:05am reply
I spent a few days with a 3G phone and no data plan - yikes! I'd just as soon have a non-3G phone, shut down data and use the non-phone stuff when I'm in WiFi range. Sorta like I do now with an iPod Touch and a regular Cell phone but on one unit.
jpellino
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 1999
shuffle
12/15, 11:15am reply
I am still waiting for the iPhone Shuffle ;)
byRyan
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
not a touch
12/15, 11:24am reply
there is a camera.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
not a touch
12/15, 11:25am reply
there is a camera.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
$99?
12/15, 12:52pm reply
The only way you are going to get a $99 iPhone is if Walmart were indeed subsidizing the device....and what benefit would they get by doing that? Not like you are signing a 2 year contract with Walmart.
This whole $99 Walmart iPhone still sounds like bunk to me.
Roehlstation
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Well
12/15, 01:33pm reply
It looks like an iPhone, so it must be for an iPhone!
It certainly couldn't be a case for some knock-off device! Not from China!
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Has to be a phone
12/15, 01:34pm reply
There's a cutout for the ear speaker.
My guess? This phone no phone data support. It's like an ipod touch with the ability to do voice calls.
Plans start at $40 rather than todays $70 (which breaks down as $40 $30 extra for the data).
With a $40 plan this will be far more affordable.
gperks
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Oct 2003
Re: Has to be...
12/15, 03:14pm (1 reply) reply
But why go to the expense of creating a whole new product line and market, when they could just as easily sell the current iPhone without a data plan.
Because if you got an iphone without the data plan, and then decided "Wow, I just can't live without instant always on internet access without having to go to a local hotspot!" and just add the plan.
With a different phone, you have to exchange out the phone for another one, spend even more money, and tack a couple of years onto your contract.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Come Onnnn...
12/15, 05:08pm reply
... Pay-As-You-Go with Wifi! Cross them fingers!
Monstermind
Junior Member
Joined: May 2000