This morning we showed you a glimpse of what the iPhone 5 could look like, as imagined by Italian designer Antonio De Rosa. While it’s certainly an interesting mockup, it’s unlikely to be too close to the one picked out by Apple. But that doesn’t really matter: in the time between now and then we’ve heard word that Apple is testing a couple of different handsets.
What’s the story? Read on beyond the jump for the secret details.
9to5Mac has apparently “independently heard” that Apple is in the throws of testing not one, but two potential iPhone 5 builds at its Cupertino lair. The two handsets sound incredibly similar, but would no doubt have slight differences either in terms of design or internals.
“We know of two next-generation iPhones in testing with a larger display: the iPhone 5,1 and iPhone 5,2,” reads the report. “These phones are in the PreEVT stage of development and are codenamed N41AP (5,1) and N42AP (5,2).”
Essential reading:
- iPhone 5: Why a 4-inch display finally makes sense
- iOS 6: Six things we want to see
- iPad Mini? Nope: Not gonna happen
Code names aside, the crux of the rumour is that both models have had their screens increased to 3.95-inches, by keeping the width of the display on the iPhone 4 but extending the height to 3.45-inches so that the resolution hits 640 x 1136px.
That should land us with an iPhone 5 with the same overall dimensions, but a larger screen, which is something we can get behind. On top of that, iOS 6 will have a bespoke layout for the iPhone 5 that’ll allow for an extra row of icons per home screen.
If the secret insider who’s been talking to 9to5Mac turns out to be legit, things seem to be shaping up nicely. Of course, we won’t know for sure until Apple launches the handset, which is rumoured to happen in October. Or if someone leaves it in a bar again. Is this the iPhone 5 you’ve been waiting for? Let us know below.
Image via Niilo Autio
