14 DAY TRIAL // In response to claims that the white iPhone 4 is thicker than its black counterpart, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing said “don’t believe all the junk that you read,” dismissing reports that provided visual evidence of the handset’s bulkier body.
Going by Schiller’s remarks, those who’ve posted photos of the two iPhone models next to one another are simply wrong.
The Apple exec does not explain why multiple such comparison shots seem to corroborate a scenario that the manufacturing difficulties posed by the controversial handset have led to a slightly thicker body.
For example, some claim to have had trouble fitting their new white iPhone inside a black iPhone’s case. The reason? The white one appeared to be fatter.
One person even went on record to say he immediately saw the difference as he picked the phone up to hold it - no measurements, no nothing.
Yet, according to 9to5mac, Schiller confidently told an Apple fan on Twitter “It is not thicker, don’t believe all the junk that you read.”
In light of these events, Softpedia would like to propose a theory that would corroborate Schiller’s assertion, in that the white iPhone 4 is, indeed, identical in depth to the black one.
Assume that the plastic frame surrounding the phone’s front and back plates - which rises above the glass to mark the phone’s tallest point - wears out over time as the device is manipulated (i.e. laid down and picked up hundreds of times, slid on a table surface etc).
This can well lead to an apparently slightly thinner used black iPhone 4 next to a brand new white iPhone 4, Softpedia believes.
Moreover, if claims that the difference is of just 0.2mm (2 microns) are correct, we’d say one micron of wear for each of the two plastic frames sounds very plausible.
Those with access to both a brand new black iPhone 4 and an older unit can compare them and determine if our theory is correct, then sound off in the comments. Send us your photos and we’ll publish them.
Of course, this theory fails if standard accessories really don't fit the white version of the handset.
But has anyone even bothered to measure the damn' thing without comparing it to something else? Apple's specs page touts 0.37 inch (9.3 mm) of depth for both models. Is that true for the white iPhone 4 or isn't it?
Those who can get their hands on the ivory phone and have access to precise measuring tools are encouraged to contact us with their findings.
If you have similar / different thoughts on why the white iPhone appears to be thicker, you are invited to share your opinion in the comments.