Images posted to the Chinese microblogging site Weibo and first published by Apple.pro purportedly depict a fifth-generation iPhone with a design identical to that of the iPhone 4, running Apple’s iPhone test software. iTunes seems to identify the device as a first-generation iPod touch, so could this really be September’s new iPhone?
Well, I hope not. In addition to its design, the device also adopts the same 5-megapixel camera from the iPhone 4. While details on its other internals are sparse, it certainly seems as though little has changed here.
The device runs iOS 4.0 with Apple’s iPhone test software, which has been seen before on Apple’s test devices. However, when plugged into iTunes, it seems to be identified as a first-generation iPod touch. Some suggest the device could be an “N94” — the iPhone 5 prototype that has been spotted with support for T-Mobile USA, an A5 processor, and a 5-megapixel camera.
However, we’re skeptical this is a new iPhone at all, and think it’s more likely a prototype for the iPhone 4 — mainly due to its camera and the iOS 4.0 software. A number of recent rumors have claimed the next-generation iPhone will be thinner and lighter with an 8-megapixel camera and Apple’s dual-core A5 processor.
[via 9to5 Mac]
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
23 responses to “Is This a Fifth-Generation iPhone Test Device?”
If it is real, somebody (most probably at foxconn) is going to get screwed REAL BAD.
Even judging by the details in the photos, Apple can easily trace down the production line on which department and the person who has so ‘bravely’ taken the photo.
Not to mention there’s a thumbnail photo of a person on the right of the screen on the phone.
Looks like a iPod touch 1g That someone changed the OS on…
What os is that? Sure doesn’t look like iOS5?
Looks like Microsoft Metro UI or an application that represents Microsoft Metro UI.
“The device runs iOS 4.0 with Apple’s iPhone test software, which has been seen before on Apple’s test devices.”
Looks like an iPhone 4 if anything… The metal band and the small lines in it is there as seen in the bottom part of the picture…
“Based on serial number and iOS version, it seems this is most likely an earlier iPhone 4 prototype.” http://www.macrumors.com/2011/…
Why might I ask, is one of the iPhone’s test icons a box of cheerios? (bottom row, 4th across form the left). For everyone, cheerios are a popular oat based breakfast cereal just in case you dont get them where you are.
http://www.google.co.uk/search…
Actually they might not be able to track it down that easily. Because the computer shot is of itunes with someone’s ipod touch or whatever hooked up. Which is why the photo etc is incorrect. It’s a common little trick used in making bogus shots. The “phone” itself could be an old prototype, a knock off or anything
That’s the app for testing the “cereal” port of course. ;)
The thing that bothers me is the image of the syncing screen is likely to be real, but it shows a device with what looks like a black plastic piece at the top on the back. That reads more like a picture of the icon for the new iPod touch than it does an iPhone.
Also, the test iPhone in the first picture is totally *not* the same device as the one the icon depicts.
Dropped call. No big deal…
The usual idea is that you would use NFC to set up the link between the two devices and then do an automatic hand over to a different protocol for doing the actual transfer of data – eg Bluetooth,iphone 5