Next-gen iPhone photos, video show A4 chip, new screen
updated 08:00 am EDT, Wed May 12, 2010
2010 iPhone gets even more detail
A pair of surprise tests from Vietnamese sites have provided a slew of new details about the future iPhone, including video (shown below). Unlike the lost prototype, this version appears to be near or at final production and has a 16GB capacity that suggests Apple either has a low-end model planned or won't change storage. A higher resolution screen is also in evidence through an Apple engineering demo, but whether it's 960x640 or a lower density like 800x480 isn't known.
The phone no longer has the screws seen in the Apple engineering test build but still appears to be easier to open, as Taoviet had the opportunity to open the phone and not only revealed a similar internal layout to the earlier example but went so far as to reveal some of the chips. Its processor appears to be either the A4 itself or a close variant as it has the same chip markings as the processor in the iPad, just without the A4 logo. The phone is already known to be slightly narrower and thinner than the existing iPhone, but also taller to accommodate both the front camera and the larger battery.
Tinhte has tried docking the iPhone and confirmed that it needs iPhone 4.0 as iTunes didn't have the firmware to apply an update. The site did, however, manage to profile the hardware and spotted not only a Broadcom interface controller chip but a "built-in iSight," although whether that refers directly to the front camera isn't as clear.
The hands-on time with the more functional handsets still leaves some questions about the final production, such as its camera resolutions, how the expected video chat will work, and whether there will be higher capacities beyond 32GB. An Apple engineer's prototype had 80GB of storage but could have had extra storage for debugging.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2003
I gotta say
I find it interesting that this is the second leak with this device. Though there are some interesting differences between this and the Gizmodo device, I'm just not buying the design. I'll probably eat my words later. This device, if designed by Apple, is one of their shoddiest designed pieces ever. I think it's really ugly. It looks more like an LG handset than an "Apple Designed" handset. I certainly don't think the design factor is as intriguing as the current 3G or 3Gs. It will be a difficult sell, for me, if this is a final product. And that is REALLY saying a lot.