In the past 4-6 months it seems the iPhone 5 rumors have exponentially grown to an unacceptably high rate. Ranging from mild iterations (iPhone 4s) to “tear-drop” designs, to iPod touch style thinness.
It is very easy to get confused by this mess and some days it feels like people are throwing darts rather than sharing real information.
Just today 9to5 mac posted some information currently circulating showing case dimensions for accessory manufacturers (LINK). Their picture, posted below, shows a curved back design similar to that of an iPad 2, the oft rumored “edge to edge” screen of an increased size (strong personal prediction being 3.7 inches), as well as a modified design to the iPhone home button.
By itself this rumor feels a little shadily sourced, but the design really looks spot on to something Apple would release. Something about that home button reminded me of something I had read a few months back. Thisismynext posted back on April 22nd a scoop they had received regarding the iPhone 5 form factor. (LINK)
Their mock-up, pictured below, does include the previously rumored tear-drop design, but more importantly the front fascia of the device is a near identical match to these latest renders.
So while it is certainly possible that these new mockups were based on the folks over at TIMN prediction it seems like their original information from April is near spot-on. It is worth noting that the crew at Thisismynext has a near perfect track record in regards to Apple predictions, and predictions in general.
Personally, I love the new rendered design and I think the flat back matches nicely with the current design aesthetic of the iPad 2 and should allow them to one up their current thinnest smartphone claim. More importantly, this thing should be launching in about a month so me and every other Apple nerd can line on up and buy one day 1.
