The folks over at iLounge seem to be on a roll today. Earlier we told you about the site’s report that Apple was working on some kind of “enhanced Smart Cover” for the iPad 3, and now it’s claiming to know new details about the next iPhone.
After what happened last year, we’re not sure anyone really knows what Apple has planned for its smartphone line. But iLounge is reporting that it has learned some interesting information regarding the iPhone 5 from a “repeatedly reliable source…”
Up to this point, all of the reports and evidence we’ve seen on the iPhone 5 have suggested that the handset will feature an aluminum back with a thinner, tapered profile. But iLounge is hearing different:
“Despite the well-established “aluminum-back iPhone 5″ rumors that have continued to circulate since the iPhone 4 was released, Apple is nonetheless continuing to experiment with glass and ceramic rear shells for a future iPhone model. The upshot is that the new design would look like the iPhone 4, but thinner, thanks to Corning’s stronger Gorilla Glass 2 and further reduction of internal components.”
The site goes on to say that its source also noted that a larger screen is still in the plans for the next iPhone, and, as we’ve heard in previous reports, Apple is looking to phase out its 30-pin Dock Connector in the near future.
It’s worth noting that iLounge posted a number of claims earlier this year regarding the iPad 3. And so far, they all seem to be materializing. So we have no reason to believe this report is off.
This means that the next iPhone could very well sport the same front and back glass panels that customers have been complaining about since the iPhone 4 debuted. Keep in mind, however, that Apple has been heavily experimenting with glass for years now. So we doubt we’d see glass casing again without significant improvements.
What do you think of a glass-backed iPhone 5?