iPhone 5 Rumors: Next-Gen iPhone with 4-inch Display Likely This Summer, No Teardrop Form Factor

The source at Foxconn, apparently more forthcoming with information, also shared some other interesting information about the next iteration of the iPhone.

Follow us

According to 9to5Mac's source, various sample devices (or prototypes) are currently floating around. These vary only slightly from each other. Their points of commonality are:

- 4+ inch display (made by LG on at least one of them).

- No teardrop-shaped devices, as rumored earlier. Samples so far have been symmetrical in thickness (also longer/wider).

- None of the sample devices have the form factor of the iPhone 4 or 4S.

- None of the devices are the final versions.

In November last year, an iLounge report shared almost the same details, claiming a next-generation iPhone with a 4-inch display but without a teardrop shape was "on track to be introduced in summer of 2012."

9to5Mac said their Foxconn source was the same one who indicated, late last summer, Apple was preparing for the iPhone 4S model and not the iPhone 5, as suggested by the "prevailing tide of information."

Another report, this time from Digital Trends, went even further. The report suggested the Cupertino tech giant may opt for 4G LTE networks on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, since the new model (if release rumors are true) will launch less than a year after the release of the iPhone 4S, a state of affairs that could hurt its sales figures.

"In fact, Apple could even call the new device the iPhone 4G rather than the iPhone 5," the report added.