What appears to be an iPhone 5 screen protector has appeared on the Hong Kong-based website Unwire.hk, which fits a screen significantly larger than the 3.5-inch display of the iPhone 4. If genuine, the screen protector corroborates long-standing rumors that the iPhone 5 will come with a larger display.
In addition to the larger size overall, the screen protector also has a cutout slot for a bigger, elongated home button.
This is not the first time we’ve seen alleged iPhone 5 accessories that would fit a larger device. Earlier this month, design documents emerged for a supposed iPhone 5 case. MacRumors commissioned the production of a case based on the designs, to see how the measurements compared to the iPhone 4. And, sure enough, the case would fit a device estimated at 4.7-inches tall by 2.6-inches wide. The iPhone 4, by comparison, measures 4.5-inches by 2.31-inches.
The case was also shaped differently thickness-wise, measuring 0.3-inches at the top, tapering down to 0.065-inches at the bottom. IPhone 4 has a consistent thickness, from top to bottom.
By MacRumors‘ estimate, the size of the case would mean that the iPhone 5 has a screen size of “at least” 4-inches. This contradicts earlier reports that the iPhone 5 will have a slightly smaller 3.7-inch screen.
This new screen protector, however, provides the first posible look at the size of the screen itself. Because all we have are photos of the screen protector, it’s difficult to judge the exact size of the screen it would fit. But based on the images, we can see that the screen itself extends noticeably beyond the sides of the iPhone 4, bezels and all.
Given that we have an actual product to base this speculation upon, this “rumor” is more substantial than much of the hearsay iPhone 5 chatter we hear so much about. And, in the past, it has not been uncommon to see iPhone accessories leak out of China — where the iPhone is produced — just before the official announcement of the next-generation handset.
Regardless, we should be seeing the actual iPhone 5 soon enough, likely in the first half of October.
UPDATE: BGR is now reporting that smartphone accessories maker Case-Mate published on its website images of cases for the iPhone 5 (they refer to it as “iPhone 4S,” so there’s that), which show the phone with tapered edges, a thinner profile and a metal back — more or less what we’ve seen before.
Case-Mate has since removed the page with the fifth-generation iPhone cases, but not before BGR was able to snag ‘em. Check out the Case-Mate next-gen iPhone cases here.
It’s just a screen protector for the Galaxy S II…
Nah, the hole in the bottom is too wide to be for the S2.
Not sure if I really want a larger iPhone. I like to carry my iPhone 4 in my pocket, and it already feels a bit bulky.
If the iPhone 5 is bigger in terms of height and width, i’m hoping it’s thinner.
They should be giving the damned things away to make up for all those iPhone 4s out there that SUCK! My question to Apple is … “Why do you keep re-inventing newer models with supposedly even greater features when the models you’ve been putting out are NO better than the previous generations?” … which BTW, used to work pretty good? I guess having a larger/newer customer base who is going to fall prey to those “new” innovations is better than keeping their current and long-time customers satisfied! Notice that I DID NOT say “Happy!” Satisfied would be a good place to start. GET A GRIP APPLE!!!
Apple is the new crack pipe, once hooked, always on apple
Nice! 4″ is a good size screen.
Just join the dark side Ulpiano Lugo and get a Droid….
What has me puzzled is the extra cut out on the right side of the phone’s case. Looks like a perfect place for a shutter button.
It very well may be. I know during the iOS 5 announcement, Jobs said that one of the volume buttons would now serve as the shutter button for pictures. Maybe the new iPhone has a dedicated button?
The placement of the opening looks like it could be, and maybe the volume button is more for iPhone 4 and 3GS owners with button envy.
Too big. The Droid X and HTC Evo are gigantic. I dont want that in my pocket!
I also thought the Droid X would be too big for me, but it fits perfectly in my pocket and the extra screen space makes looking at/reading everything better & easier. The battery life is def good enough, too. To each their own, I guess.
yeah, maybe I would just need to get used to it.
To the above post: Why, you ask? Simple: the Apple “Fanboi” mentality of “I NEED THE NEW APPLE PRODUCT REGARLDESS OF WHAT IT IS OR WHAT IT DOES” is one that the average consumer does not understand. For instance, If I buy a something and it it’s a horrible product, odds are that I’m not going to buy its successor. Apple, however, knows there are enough of these “fanbois” to continue this strategy because it’s been working since the release of the original iPod. “Fanbois” will buy the iPhone 5 regardless of what it has or doesn’t have because to be a true Apple fan, having anything older than six months is a sign of weakness. In fact, Apple could rerelease the iPhone 4, hell, they could relrelease the iPhone 3gs and stick an “iPhone 5” logo on it and it would sell by the truck load purely because it’s the newest item and in the realm of Apple: features are irrelevant, how new the product is the only thing that matters.
Personal anecdote: I know someone who doesn’t make a lot of money – lives paycheck to paycheck so to speak – he isn’t eligible for an upgrade but he’s going to buy a full retail value iPhone 5 JUST because it’s the new model (he has a 4 currently) so he’s willing to spend $600 he doesn’t have, JUST because Apple says you have to do so and he isn’t the only one, there are THSOUANDS of people who will do this.
Apple doesn’t need to fix features, it doesn’t need to add features; Apple just has to continue to slap new labels on products and watch them fly out the door. It may not make sense to you or I but that’s the mentality that Apple sells to and it works.
They should be giving the damned things away to make up for all those iPhone 4s out there that SUCK! My question to Apple is … “Why do you keep re-inventing newer models with supposedly even greater features when the models you’ve been putting out are NO better than the previous generations?” … which BTW, used to work pretty good? I guess having a larger/newer customer base who is going to fall prey to those “new” innovations is better than keeping their current and long-time customers satisfied! Notice that I DID NOT say “Happy!” Satisfied would be a good place to start. GET A GRIP APPLE!!!