Edible Apple

The iPhone 5 rumors continue to rage on. 9to5Mac is reporting today that Apple is currently in the midst of testing two iPhone 5 prototypes, and perhaps more. Given that Apple’s complete series of iPhones have all featured a 3.5-inch display, the addition of an iPhone with a larger screen would certainly mark a notable shift in design.

Right now we know of a few next-generation iPhone candidates in testing. These prototype phones are floating around Apple HQ in thick, locked shells in order to disguise the exterior design to “undisclosed” employees. We know of two next-generation iPhones in testing with a larger display: the iPhone 5,1 and iPhone 5,2. These phones are in the PreEVT stage of development and are codenamed N41AP (5,1) and N42AP (5,2). Because Apple reserves certain models for internal-only usage (such as the N96 phone we previously reported on), we’re not sure which of the two devices will make its way into the world later this year.

Notably, the report notes that both of the aforementioned iPhone prototypes are equipped with a 3.95-inch diagonal screen and a resolution of 640×1136. Also noteworthy is that Apple will be adding new pixels to the display – 176 to be exact. And Apple is reportedly exploring ways to utilize those extra pixels, with one cited example being a new homescreen with five rows of icons instead of four.

In terms of hardware other than the new display, we’ve heard that both of these prototypes definitely include a home button and the previously-rumored smaller dock connector. Apple will be bringing these dock connectors to all of their iOS devices over time, and it is not exactly a “pill-shape” as rumored. It’s basically a much narrower version of the current squared off (on the corners) dock connector. It is between the size of a Micro-USB and Mini-USB connector.

And when you throw in 4G LTE support into the mix, the iPhone 5 is shaping up to be quite an upgrade.

via 9to5Mac