Thursday, 13 February 2014

Leaked Photos Show Larger, Rounded-Edged iPhone 6 - Mashable

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Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

By Adario Strange2014-02-13 02:07:51 UTC

No sooner has the iPhone 5S carved out its place as yet another confirmed success for Apple than rumors of the next version of the device have begun to surface — this time with images.

In a blog post published on Wednesday, blogger Sonny Dickson posted what he claims are images of the next version of the iPhone. Dickson wrote, "We've gotten our hands on some great photos of the iPhone's rear casing in Space Grey …"

The casing (see image below) has all the signature iPhone design elements, such as a camera and flash port, and even the familiar Apple logo. But that's where the iPhone similarities end, as the larger size and rounded-edge frame shown in the photos are far more reminiscent of the iPad than any previous version of Apple's smartphone.

Earlier, on the same day, the South China Morning Post released a report with similar implications for Apple's next iPhone. The paper, citing industry insiders, reported that the next versions of the iPhone will be 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, respectively, and will hit stores sometime in September.

And while these new images, along with the report emerging from Asia, will likely stir some excitement around the idea of an iPhone "phablet," yet another claim in the South China Morning Post's report may have an even bigger impact on Apple's fortunes this year: the end of the iPhone 5C.

The paper's sources claim that Apple will discontinue the iPhone 5C and keep the iPhone 5S in production using cheaper materials.

If that portion of the report turns out to be accurate, it would represent the first and biggest mobile device misstep on the part of Apple in the entire history of the iPhone's existence. In effect, pulling the iPhone 5C from the market so soon after its release would amount to Apple admitting that it made a huge mistake by rolling out the cheaper device alongside its flagship model of the smartphone.

For its part, Apple hasn't officially announced the iPhone 6, or discussed any plans to discontinue the iPhone 5C.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

BONUS: iPhone 6 Concept Photos