Edible Apple

Well, the iPhone 5 rumors are back, just in time for the new year.

BGR “confidently” reports that Apple’s iPhone 5 will feature a complete redesign, and contrary to previous reports we’ve seen, will launch sometime in the Fall of 2012 rather than during the Summer.

We have also learned that Apple is planning to use a rubber or plastic material — similar to the material used in the company’s bumper cases — that will be built into the new iPhone case. In all likelihood, this material will be used as a bezel surrounding the front edge of the phone (like the iPhone 3GS bezel) and it will serve two purposes. First, it will join the glass iPhone face with a new aluminum back plate. It will also cover a redesigned antenna system that surrounds the device, allowing Apple to build the rear case out of aluminum without having to use a large plastic insert above the antennas as the company does on its iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G. Earlier reports suggested that Apple’s next-generation iPhone will feature an aluminum case similar to the one found on the iPad 2, as well as a larger display around 4 inches.

This of course isn’t the first we’ve heard of a redesigned iPhone 5. About a month ago reports surfaced claiming that Apple had already pegged Toshiba, Sony and Hitachi Displays to provide 4-inch LCD displays for the next-gen iPhone. And before that, it was reported that the iPhone 5 will be about 8mm longer than the current iPhone 4S design and will also sport a metal casing on the back instead of the glass Apple currently employs. And while we’re sure leaked schematics and case designs are only a few months away, we wouldn’t put money on the teardrop form factor making a reapperance.