Rumor: Apple to abandon glass back for aluminum on iPhone 5

By Molly McHugh March 7, 2011

Now that the hungry masses have gotten a look at the iPad 2, onto the iPhone 5 rumors! There’s a new morsel originating from China’s Economic Daily News, saying that Apple will forego the glass casing of the iPhone 4 and return to the aluminum backing of the original model. According to Japanese blog Macotakara, which printed the news (via Google translation): “Decision to design similar to iPod Touch instead of using glass is supposed that Apple seems to stop problems which are told widely damages from scratching, difficulties of panting white and weight of glass.”

The remodel may also get Apple on the good side of Consumer Reports. Reverting to the aluminum chassis means Apple would be reworking the antenna as well, and wouldn’t face the same roadblocks it did with creating a white iPhone 4. The phone would also be lighter and possibly slimmer than the previous model, more closely resembling the iPad 2 than the iPhone 4. And of course, it wouldn’t be prone to scratches like the current device.

The report also says the iPhone 5 will include the A5 processor and is on Apple’s regular release schedule, meaning we should see the iPhone 5 this coming June or July. And around that time, you can cue the iPad 3 rumors to reach full swing.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…

Mobile

Don’t expect a folding iPhone anytime soon

Concept render of foldable iPhone.

Samsung is expected to reveal the sixth-generation Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip in July. And what about Apple? A new report suggests the first foldable iPhone might not arrive until 2027 -- two years later than a previous rumor suggested.

According to TrendForce, “Apple is still evaluating component specifications and performance, with strict requirements for crease and reliability.” Further, “(Apple’s) entry could significantly shift market dynamics.” TrendForce monitors and forecasts demand for smartphone components.

Mobile

The iPhone 16 Pro may set a new record for smartphone displays

An iPhone 15 Pro Max sitting upright, showing one of its home screens.

The iPhone 16 rumor mill will almost certainly pick up speed now that we’re just three months away from the expected reveal. The lastest information isn’t so much news as confirmation of one of the changes coming to the top-of-the-line iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Similar to previous rumors IceUniverse, says Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature the world’s thinnest smartphone bezels. Thinner bezels make sense when considering another long-running iPhone rumor: the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to offer bigger displays. Where the iPhone 16 Pro should see its display jump from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches versus the iPhone 15 Pro, the one on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is likely to increasefrom 6.7-inches on the iPhone 15 Pro Max to 6.9 inches.

Mobile

The iPhone’s new AI features may come with a gigantic catch

An iPhone 15 Pro Max laying face-down outside, showing the Natural Titanium color.

Imagine paying a minimum of $999 for a new iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, only to discover that it can’t run the full iOS 18 experience in less than two years. It might sound dystopian, especially for a product known for its long shelf life that's largely the result of an industry-leading software update policy at Apple.

Yet, it seems that nightmarish surprise will be here in just over a week. Bloomberg recently reported on some crucial AI-driven features coming to iOS 18, with Siri being one of the main recipients of all that innovation. But iPhone users might have to pay a pretty price for it all.