iPhone 5 battery, camera module surface in raw parts
updated 07:45 am EDT, Mon August 22, 2011
More iPhone 5 components arrive
More claimed if probable iPhone 5 parts have surfaced that point to at least subtle design changes. Coming from the same TVC-Mail source as an earlier sighting, a new battery, a camera module, and an audio jack flex cable have all arrived. The battery is one of the clearest signs of change as it has a new but consistent part number, 616-0580, a newly oriented connector, and a slightly more efficient 5.3Whr (up from 5.25Whr) pack.
Matching evidence has surfaced at MacRumors, which was also tipped off to the other parts. UK repair firm iPatchiPods was given a DVT_B3 (Design Verification Test, Beta 3) version of the same battery found at TVC-Mail. Both are virtually identical and point to the battery having stayed the same through at least late-stage testing on its way to production.
The camera lens is closer to the original and, if itself accurate, would debunk rumors of a moved flash. The space to hold the flash has changed slightly, as has the connector. It's not visible from the module details whether or not it's using the rumored new eight-megapixel sensor.
The flex cable is itself different and consistent with Apple's part labeling scheme.
With the launch of the iPhone 5 anticipated for October, production is likely to have already started. As such, components are very likely to have already been made and escaping out to third-party dealers. Foxconn staff are known to let parts or their blueprints slip, although this can lead to arrests.
