Leaked images show what iPhone 5 may look like

We have heard a fair share of rumours about the upcoming iPhone, by now, but none of those tidbits are quite as juicy as this one. 9to5Mac have received pictures of what appears to be the next iPhone aka iPhone 5 and this falls in line with previous speculations that it will indeed feature a larger display, smaller dock connector, along with some new information, such as redesigned speaker grill and the relocation of the earphone jack.

The larger display at the front

In the first report by the Apple dedicated website, the author states, “According to our supply chain sources, who obtained these parts, the frame indicates that the new iPhone will be the same width as the current 4 and 4S models, but it will be longer. This adds to our report in which we claimed the new iPhone would sport a taller screen with the same width. Sources say that the new iPhone’s interface will be redesigned to take advantage of the newly available screen real estate. The screen resolution is said to be 1136 x 640, with a screen size of 3.999 inches (diagonally)”

This news comes as a major one regarding the leaked parts. However, from these leaks, we can also gather a fair amount of information. Presumably, if these leaked images are in fact the back and front plates of the iPhone 5, we can expect the front facing FaceTime camera to be moved above the earpiece in a centralized position, rather than at the side of it, which is currently found on the iPhone 4 and 4S. Further, if these images are to be believed, then we can also infer that the edge-to-edge screen will not feature on the next iPhone.

Metal back to be featured again?

Moving on to the redesigned back plate, we can see that the handsets will feature a metallic back plate. However, it does look like a combination of two materials here, as the top and bottom appear to be glass and sandwiched in between is aluminium. The website states, “From a production standpoint, it appears that the metal antenna band is molded into the metal backplates. We assume this is Apple’s way of creating a unibody enclosure for mobile devices. Apple introduced unibody notebooks in late 2008, and the purpose of the unibody is to allow Apple to produce thinner and lighter, yet stronger, devices. Now that most of the phone’s external elements are one piece, Apple is likely able to squeeze more into the iPhone internally. Apple needs all the space they can get with their plans of producing LTE smartphones with proper battery life”

Other notable mentions are the relocation of the earphone jack, wherein it features on the bottom of the handset and not on the top. If these images are true, then this is the first time Apple will reposition the location of the 3.5mm audio jack with it previously being on the top for all the current and previous generation iPhones. The report adds, “The speaker grills have been redesigned, and there is a new opening between the camera lens and the LED flash. We’re not sure what this opening is, but it is possible that Apple is moving the second microphone.”

Let us know your reactions regarding these major image leaks of the possible back and front plates of the iPhone 5 in the comments section below.

For more rumours on the next iPhone, click here.