Leaks have surfaced showcasing Apple’s new iPhone atenna with reports that Sony will be handling more of the iPhone’s camera technology.
A new frame for Apple’s iPhone 5, low-end iPhone 4 or both has been spotted by iPatchiPods and indicates Apple has reengineered their antenna structure.
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| Credit: Electronista |
The design is also lacking the deliberate cut-out needed for the home button, indicating that this is the frame for the iPhone 5. If so, it agrees with reports that the next generation iPhone will be receiving a wider home button so it is easier to use.
Alternatively, the absence could hint Apple has just redesigned their current format in a way that frees up more space.
The redesigned antenna comes as no surprise seeing as the current iPhone 4 suffers from “death grip” reception issues. Recognised by Apple as a design fault, when holding the iPhone in the left palm for roughly a minute it begins to lose reception.
The fault wasn’t much of a deterrent for avid iPhone lovers, but the issue caused Apple to giveaway free phone cases until September, 2 months after the phone’s launch.
In related news, electronista reports rival company Sony is believed to be supplying the camera sensor technology built into the iPhone 5.
Currently Omnivision produces the sensor used in Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch product lines, giving its revenue stream a little more oomph.
However, the company’s expected $260 million revenue intake is considerably lower than its $306 million average. Omnivision hasn’t provided any context for the drop in profits, but surrounding rumours claim it has lost 10 per cent of its orders to Sony, who are producing enough to help Apple meet its shipment targets.
It’s expected that the two companies will be making Apple’s 8MP camera sensors that should deliver good performance in low-light conditions. But with the production being split between two companies, there’s the chance camera quality could differ slightly from phone to phone.
Sony’s CEO Sir Howard Stringer publically announced all of its supply and compounding shortages would be purchased by Apple following the earthquakes in Northern Japan. Since the announcement, little else has been revealed on the new iPhone’s production process.
