Mockups show what Apple’s next-gen iPhone may look like

Feb 26, 2010 11:09 GMT  ·  By

Deisgner Antonio De Rosa of ADR Studio has created a mockup of what the fourth-generation iPhone may look like. Considerably different than current models, the surreal device features a back aluminum case, a more square-ish appearance, and a front-facing camera. The artist has posted both a video, and pictures of his mashup.

To make his renderings as appealing as possible, De Rosa went for the Apple-style promo method, complete with catchy tagline and specs. As such, the iPhone 4G is presented as the “re-evolution of the species” featuring an all-new AMOLED display, an aluminum shell, a frontal camera (as well as a camera situated on the back of the device), and iPhone OS 4.0. Everything seems fairly possible for Apple’s next-gen handset (including the front camera and AMOLED screen), except for the aluminum shell.

Aluminum is one vicious radio wave-absorbing material, which, not surprisingly, was dropped in favor of a plastic casing when Apple shipped the iPhone 3G. The same material was used to house Apple’s next device, the iPhone 3GS. While the iPod touch also features a metal casing, the area where the Wi-Fi antenna is situated inside the device is covered with a black piece of plastic.

The same method of avoiding loss of signal has been applied to the 3G version of the iPad, Apple’s forthcoming tablet device said to change the rules of the game for many tech-industry players. We’d be inclined to believe that, whatever approach Apple has in mind for iPhone 4G, it will most likely not feature an all-metal back case. Unless, that is, it goes with Titanium.

Titanium, as shown in a video by an Engadget reader, allows a 3G signal to pass through it like a hot knife through butter. He used a milling machine to craft a titanium back cover for his iPhone 3GS, complete with carved Apple logo and sleek finish. Check it out here.