Tenuous Rumor: iPhone 5 To Receive Aluminum Rear Panel And Internal Antenna?

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Mark


Rumors of a new iPhone 5 design offered a step back in time today as it is being suggested that a complete redesign of the iPhone will result in the iPhone 5 having a aluminium rear panel and internal antenna assembly (GadgetsDNA via MacRumors). According to the report, a redesigned antenna would be hidden behind the Apple logo in a body design that is inspired by the iPod Touch.  The back panel would apparently be constructed of alumium to minimize scratching.

There are several parts to this story that, while interesting, may prove to debunk this rumor entirely.  While the original iPhone 2G had a brushed aluminium back panel exterior, Apple had to include a plastic panel at the bottom of the device as the alumium would tend to block wireless signals.  Given the overinflated furore over the iPhone 4 antenna, Apple would likely not revert to a design that would hamper or reduce cellular reception rather than improving it.

However, for the moment, we can hypothesize how it would be accomplished.  The report suggests that Apple would aim to hide the antenna assembly behind the logo on the rear of the device.  If this was the case, then it is likely that the logo would have to be a little larger than it currently is now, perhaps similar in size to that of the iPad.  An antenna behind the Apple logo actually reflects the current design of the Wi-Fi iPad.

Combine this with the fact that generally, when a person is holding a cellphone, most of the rear panel of the device, including the logo, is completely covered with the person’s hand, which is not terribly conducive to high quality cellular reception.  However, could a hybrid antenna be used i.e. one which merges the behind-the-logo design and the current generation iPhone 4 antenna?

Sadly, and despite the fact that a brushed aluminum rear panel would look fantastic on the iPhone 5, we’re a little skeptical of this story.

For More Panel Beating…

Also on AppleBitch.com:

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  • lemoon

    The iPhone 4 is my first iPhone, and while I love the tech specs on it and enjoyable with iFunia video converter on the fly trip, I find myself appreciating the feel of the 3Gs. The glass back is a bit of a pain…I’m so caution it’s ridiculous. So if Apple decides to loose the brick look for a more sleek curved design, and it comes with an aluminum back them I’m all for it.

  • http://www.iphone5rumours.com Ahmad Rashad

    Great news, I don’t think my iPhone 4 could have taken anymore damage! Hopefully they make it look nicer than previous iPhones with aluminum backings.

  • Mr. Bee

    But you still printed it. ;)

    Someday there will be an Apple website that is full of intelligent discussion and doesn’t just reprint every dumb-ass rumour that passes through teh interwebs.

    I hereby officially revoke your “saviour of Apple blogging” status. :)

    • http://www.applebitch.com AppleBitch

      I’m afraid we’ll have to retain our ‘Savior of Apple blogging’ status for another day. 3 reasons why:

      1. We printed it to offer our opinion on it. Impossible to offer an opinion without summarizing the original story.
      2. We attempted to debunk it in our editorial through some rather intelligent, concise and beautifully written prose.
      3. The amount of caveats we placed in this story are tantamount to publishing”Here is another bullshit rumor that we are printing along with a debunk so you don’t read it somewhere else and believe it”

      //insert favicon of big hairy flashing arse here