Source in Bangkok, Thailand admits that the device is a nonworking unit

Aug 3, 2012 07:13 GMT  ·  By

As Tim Cook & Co. are gearing up to unveil their next-generation iPhone, leak after leak seems to confirm that Apple’s next handset won’t look much differently from its predecessor, or its predecessor’s predecessor.

Tech site Neowin, which doesn’t have much of a track record on Apple rumors and leaks, claims to have “a hands on with what appears to be a prototype finalized design casing of the iPhone, in a mall, somewhere in Bangkok, Thailand.”

The source is reportedly “an ex staff member from a long time ago” who confirmed to the site that the iPhone was not a working unit, but rather a “non functional replica prototype.” The source went on to say it was “pretty accurate too.”

Indeed, all the recent hardware leaks indicate that Apple’s next iPhone will boast an elongated body, a two-shade metal finish on the back, a larger screen, a relocated headphone jack and a redesigned dock connector featuring eight pins.

However, if the “non functional replica prototype” in these photos is an accurate depiction of the next-generation iPhone, Apple might have a bit of a problem on their hands.

It appears that three years after the iPhone 4 has debuted, Apple plans to sell pretty much the same design to fans worldwide.

Granted, the device in these photos is not identical to its predecessor, as the iPhone 4S was to the iPhone 4. But the design is still strikingly similar to both.

The problem is that all these leaks have been consistent with one another, which makes it fairly possible that we are, indeed, looking at the iPhone 5. While the back is different enough to consider this a new affair, the front side of the phone looks three-years-old, only a bit taller.

Some analysts believe Apple simply can’t afford not to innovate this time around. Maybe this is not the iPhone 5 after all. What’s your take on the matter?

Photo Gallery (2 Images)

Alleged iPhone 5 hands-on
Alleged iPhone 5 hands-on
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