Just a day after images of a physical mockup of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 surfaced, new images have been shared by Macitynet showing a mockup of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 variant, with most of the rumored design changes.
The physical mockup shows the much-rumored repositioning of the power button to the side of the device for easier one-handed operation, the thinner design with rounded edges as opposed to the iPhone 5s’ chamfered edges and the circular flash. There was some confusion about the size of the mockup shown yesterday, but this mockup, based on the relative size of the hand and the device, seems to have a 4.7-inch screen.
These mockups are believed to be made by case manufacturers to test their cases well-before Apple actually releases the iPhone 6. This is done so as to ensure that cases for the device are available in stores on day-one of sales. Macitynet further adds that these prototypes have been refined over a period of months to closely resemble the iPhone 6:
In practice, this model would be made molds of the latest cases and tested the prototypes of the enclosures to verify their compatibility with the real iPhone 6. It is not uncommon that during the process of engineering accessories manufacturers are forced to progressively refine their plans, as they come under the table information on the specifications of the phones. In practical terms, it was explained, in recent months there have been various “versions” experienced by manufacturers of accessories (and these were modeled and rendered drawings of the iPhone 6), but there is now confidence that this one located final.
Apple is widely reported to be working on two variants of the iPhone 6 this year, with a thinner design, smaller bezels, rounded edges and more. The first variant will have a 4.7 inch display, and is expected to be launched this fall, but the larger 5.5-inch variant is facing yield issues, and is reportedly delayed.
[Macitynet via MacRumors]