Leaked ‘iPhone 4S’ Casing Reveals Redesigned Antenna & Home Button

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Recent speculation suggests Apple is currently working on a cheaper model of its iPhone 4 that is set to launch alongside the iPhone 5 in the coming months. Expected to be named the iPhone 4S, the new device could feature a redesigned antenna and home button, according to the latest leaked components.

MacRumors has received more components from iPatchiPodsthis time an iPhone 4-like stainless steel frame that sports a redesigned antenna. The new frame is unlike both of those found on the AT&T and the Verizon iPhone 4, with two antenna breaks at the bottom of the casing, which could be to accommodate different frequencies for different mobile technologies.

The casing also shows a SIM card slot — suggesting the device will support at least the GSM standard like the original AT&T iPhone 4. It’s unclear whether it will be dual-mode, with support for CDMA as well, or whether there will be another CDMA model.

The bottom of the casing, shown above, also shows some interesting changes:

As noted by iFixIt’s Scott Head, what’s most interesting about this part as compared to the iPhone 4 part, is the lack of any defined “Home Button” area. The corresponding iPhone 4 part shows a cut-out area for the Home Button. It’s hard to draw an conclusions from this, but there has been a lot of speculation that Apple could be changing the Home Button area on the iPhone 5.

My guess? I think these could be iPhone 5 parts. Many rumors have claimed the iPhone 5 will be identical to the iPhone 4, but that it will also have support for both GSM and CDMA networks. That would explain the similar casing and the redesigned antenna. Rumors have also suggested the iPhone 5 will have a redesigned, capacitive touch home button.

What do you think about these parts?

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