Purported iPhone 5 Built From Individual Parts by Japanese Repair Site

By Christina Bonnington

The rear of the purported iPhone features a large metal panel across the center of the device. Photo: iLab.

Photographs of what could be Apple’s next iPhone surfaced Sunday, giving impatient iPhone fans an idea of what Apple could be unveiling sometime during the next few months. Maybe. Possibly. It all depends on whether the parts are actually from Apple.

Japanese-language repair site iLab.cc reports it assembled an iPhone 5 using individual parts that have recently become available. The phone features a smaller dock connector, what looks to be an elongated display, a centered FaceTime camera, and a rear plate dominated by a metal panel.

The images match up with other reports of what Apple’s next iPhone could look like.

 A fully assembled look at what could be the next iPhone. Photo: iLab.cc

In June, a number of purported iPhone 5 parts were listed on the website of a Chinese mobile phone parts seller along with a video showcasing the phone’s rear panel. And earlier this month, it came to light that you could even pre-order the not-yet-released product from enterprising sellers via the online marketplace Taobao. 

As we get closer to the anticipated launch date of the next iPhone, the likelihood that leaked images and specs end up proving true certainly rises. However, Apple’s not a n00b at playing its side of the speculation game — it’s not inconceivable that the company would create decoys and false trails. And let’s also consider this: With some rudimentary 3D printing and prototyping chops, any avid Apple fan could manufacture the iPhone of his dreams and attempt to pass it off as the real thing. 

But if you’re hungry for more photos, head on over to iLab for the full set.

Source:  Wired