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Purported next-gen iPhone bezel shows speaker, color changes?
Images from Hong Kong depict several significant changes from the bezels of prior iPhones to the next-generation model, if their source is to be believed. Listings pages from Hong Kong-based part vendor China Ontrade depict what the company claims to be the first next-generation iPhone parts to be supplied directly from the factory, including liquid crystal displays and front bezels. Notably, the bezels appear to show a repositioned and redesigned ear speaker, now significantly higher above the display than the present speaker, and ringed with metal, a change that may make room for additional front-mounted sensor or camera hardware. Alternately, the metal ring may be there to protect a front-facing camera from smudging.
Also changed is the bezel’s color, which has shifted from the prior silver in all iPhone and iPhone 3G models to a nearly black metallic color reminiscent of the backs of later fifth-generation iPod U2 Special Edition models. In the photos, the bezel now stops short of ringing the entire iPhone face, ending at roughly the edge of the LCD screen. The site does not specify what differences there are between the new iPhone’s screen and its predecessor, but the company lists the new screen at $73 versus $35 for the prior version. It is unclear whether the bezel and screen are legitimate components, as China Ontrade sells both identical and modified aftermarket parts for prior-model iPhones. [via iFun.de]
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1
Price increase for OLED! Woohoo!
Posted by Adam on May 27, 2009 at 6:42 PM (PDT)
2
Wouldn’t it make more sense that the ear piece is moved up to make room for a larger screen? That seems like a more obvious upgrade.
Posted by tim smith on May 27, 2009 at 9:23 PM (PDT)
3
@Adam not sure about the OLED screen. The high price is probably just a supply/demand thing, little competition = high price.
The actual LCD looks very similar to the 3G one - sadly we may have to wait another year :(
Posted by vectran on May 27, 2009 at 9:59 PM (PDT)
4
Ahem….given the propensity for iPhone-knock-offs in China (I live in Hong Kong) couldnt this also just be some company who makes parts for any one of the countless knock-offs looking for a bit of noise….?
Posted by shacker on May 27, 2009 at 11:31 PM (PDT)
5
@vectran
well if they are so similar why are they selling the 3g for 80 bucks when you can use the old one from the 3g for 35?
Posted by Peanuts on May 27, 2009 at 11:35 PM (PDT)
6
This could be for parts for the much predicted low-end [for non 3G China?] iPhone and not the premium version [for the rest of us]...
Posted by Rob on May 28, 2009 at 1:00 AM (PDT)
7
@tim smith:
Actually, judging by the demonstrated screens that China Ontrade has provided, the screen stays the same size. The earpiece is up higher so you don’t get grease marks from your face when making a call. Try it (if you have an iPhone or iTouch). The phone sits out more, thus reducing phone to face touchage. The other opinion provided (but unlikely) that there’s a forward facing camera for, well I guess, iChat video conferences.
Posted by shawn on May 28, 2009 at 11:32 AM (PDT)