Based on leaked schematics, accessory maker churns out potentially accurate case design

Apr 11, 2014 09:17 GMT  ·  By

Chinese accessory maker Elam has created an iPhone 6 case rendering based on leaked schematics that remain to be confirmed. If the drawings are accurate, we could be looking at the design of Apple’s next-generation iPhone.

Reportedly borrowing more than one design element from the iPod touch line of portable players, the next-generation iPhone 6 will have rounder corners, a bigger screen, relocated and / or redesigned buttons and switches, and a slimmer form factor.

Two distinct models are allegedly being prepared, one with a 4.7-inch display and another with a much bigger, 5.5-inch screen, the latter boasting a pixel density of 401 PPI.

It isn’t clear if Elam’s rendering is accurate, just as it isn’t clear whether the leaked schematics themselves are accurate.

Based on the same drawings, which reportedly came from an assembly plant in the Far East, artists took stabs at the design process and created possible end-product versions of the handset. Particularly appealing is a mockup created by Dutch designer Martin Hajek (embedded below).

iPhone mockup
iPhone mockup
Of interest is Hajek’s decision to imagine a phone that has a double glass plating, much like the universally-attractive iPhone 4 did. It wouldn’t be too farfetched to see Apple returning to this design in a much thinner form factor with more rounded corners and a different set of material choices.

Another take on the iPhone 6 design arrives from Ferry Passchier (below).

iPhone mockup
iPhone mockup
Back to the rendering shared by case manufacturer Elam, this rather pixelated image is something even an average computer user could achieve with specialized 3D design software. In a nutshell, it doesn’t prove anything. However, if it does turn out to be accurate, it seems Apple will indeed launch an iPhone 6 that looks a lot like the iPod touch.

The launch date remains a mystery to this day. Even though the company has already announced its first event for 2014 – the annual Worldwide Developers Conference – there is still a lot of debate as to whether it will again wait until fall to unleash its new product lineup.

Among these rumored products is the redesigned iPhone 6 in two screen sizes, a revamped Apple TV that remains encased in a small box and only adds software features (and perhaps new input methods), the elusive iWatch (also said to arrive in different sizes and price points), and the usual Mac and iPad upgrades.

Photo Gallery (3 Images)

Purported iPhone 6 case design
iPhone mockupiPhone mockup
Open gallery