The second-gen iPhone: 3G, GPS, only slightly thicker

So we've got it on authority that the second-gen iPhone is already well into testing, and numerous units are floating around in super secret pockets. A trusted source got a chance to check one out, here's what we've heard.

• The first thing people will notice: the 2nd gen iPhone will be about the same size and shape as the first gen.
• It will, of course, have 3G. And proper GPS!
• The most noticeable physical difference is back of the phone is no longer metal -- the whole thing is glossy black, from top to bottom. The volume buttons are now chrome.
• Because it's got a little less metal to deal with, it doesn't have quite as many angular edges. The battery is (still) not removable.
• The phone itself will be slightly thicker than the first gen device.
• The headphone jack will no longer be recessed, and will finally be flush with the body.
• The device itself uses roughly the same size and resolution screen as the first generation product.
• No solid word on battery life or storage capacity.

It could ship (or be introduced) as early as July -- but it's worth noting that none of this is necessarily finalized, and any of it could change between now and its introduction. You really never know with Apple!

P.S. -Image via iPod Observer, MacRumors points out it's probably just a case (which we'd likely agree with); we're not by any means claiming the image above is the new iPhone, just an example of what it could look like given the info we received.

[clak @ Apr 27th 2008 11:35PM]

@Dave

Thanks, Dave, now I can be Rick Rolled using that FREE YouTube app that came with my iPhone. Brilliant.

[Soundscape @ May 9th 2008 3:39AM]

@ Dave

"switching from metal to "black glossy" plastic is obviously Apple attempting to up the profit margins..."

I think you'll find they've made the back of the case black plastic to allow for the added two antennas (3G and GPS). The reason they had the small plastic area on the first iPhone was for the antenna, and they're adding more services to the phone.

Up profit margins? How much do you think those 3 inch pieces of metal are costing Apple? Umm...iMac, MacBook Pro, anyone?

[stan @ May 20th 2008 9:44PM]

@dave
http://www.ipodjuice.com/iphone-battery-replacement-products.htm

[wolfcub30 @ May 25th 2008 8:25PM]

Im just wondering. im wanting to buy an Iphone 16gb. I have a blackberry curve. Im getting anxious about buying this that I dont know if I want to wait until the new 3gphone comes out or just get the other. Whats really the difference other than the look and GPS. I already have GPS. I'm wanting others opinion. If Im correct in saying, My Curver is able to be 3g but I dont have that type of service where I live, so wouldnt this defeat the purpose of the new phone.

Please advise

[ben @ Jun 7th 2008 3:05PM]

YOU PEOPLE ARE HAVING A HEATED ARGUMENT ABOUT A TELEPHONE! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!

[gabe @ Apr 25th 2008 3:34PM]

shit storm starts now!

[amart @ Apr 26th 2008 3:06PM]

lol you were the second person to post :P
the above is one hell of a read if anyone is in for a laugh btw

[BradStar @ Apr 29th 2008 12:34AM]

Confirmed ColorWare- from the site;

All of our standard colors come with the same high-gloss, scratch resistant finish that will protect your phone against minor scuffs from normal usage. You can choose from either metallic or solid colors.

The Metallics have small flakes of metal within the color to add a little variation and sparkle.

Choose Your Combination

Pick any of our colors on:

* Top Back Piece
* Button
* Bottom Back Piece
* Earbuds
* Frame
* Dock
* Logo

http://www.colorwarepc.com/p-103-iphone.aspx

And there I was, all excited to save the picture before Apple shut the site down...

[a @ Apr 25th 2008 3:35PM]

Tell me it will have more megapixles, please?

[gabe @ Apr 25th 2008 3:37PM]

it will have more megapixels please

[Jonathan Keim @ Apr 25th 2008 4:33PM]

You forgot the comma :-)

[Philster @ Apr 25th 2008 4:54PM]

What's up with the Grammar Gestapo on Engadget lately?

[chris fredette @ Apr 25th 2008 5:06PM]

NO, that thing needs a flash! But it really needs GPS, that's more important to me.
I have 3 ipone friends. I make sure I shoot good video, pictures, and then mms them to some one every time I'm with them. Pawned sucka's

[NG @ Apr 25th 2008 5:43PM]

Tell me price stay same please

[Benson @ Apr 25th 2008 6:23PM]

price stay same please

[El Taco @ Apr 26th 2008 9:33PM]

nobody better answer this how I think they will:

Tell me I think Michael Jackson is hot

[Young Boy @ May 10th 2008 9:44PM]

... I think Michael Jackson is hot

[Andune @ Apr 25th 2008 3:37PM]

"the whole thing is glossy black, from top to bottom"
Eww?
Maybe it will look good but i dont like the idea, metal>plastic.

[Homeboy @ Apr 25th 2008 3:47PM]

I fully with you on that one. Glossy plastic rear will only mean one thing = scratches! Highly unsuitable for a product which you store in your pocket with other objects and even place on tables. After a few days the phone will look like crap. So that's a big step back, don't like it at all.

Well, at least there is the HTC Raphael and XPERIA. I'll pick up which ever of those is best. Want the best possible upgrade from my SE k610i.

[slarity @ Apr 25th 2008 3:51PM]

I agree, more shiny plastic=more nasty fingerprints

[Taylor @ Apr 25th 2008 4:03PM]

I already covered up my metal with a Matte Black plastic case, so i can't really say it would bother me.
-Taylor

[Vohaul79 @ Apr 25th 2008 4:18PM]

I disagree strongly..While metal looks good out of the box, my iphones back has gone to complete hell and Im careful with it.
Scratches easily, dents easily, sides start to pop out making sharp edges..Has been my biggest complaint about the phone so far (and the headphone jack being recessed...cmon really?)

Apple and metal + silver paint never go well.
My g4 powerbook bent / scratched / dented easily
My core 2 duo powerbook does the same.
Bottom of my old G5 tower scratched to hell.

At least my iMac 2.8 is finally real metal.

Point being: I'll take a sturdy plastic (if it is) any day over apples chip a thon painted metal..

[Bender Bending Rodriguez @ Apr 25th 2008 4:20PM]

Metal is better than plastic unless you have an embedded antenna that is trying to send and receive data.

And each increase in bandwidth makes the data more subject to interference issues.

Apple can't win, can they. One group will cry it's more form over function and the other will cry it's not sexy enough... and often these people are in both groups.

[Carl Vitullo @ Apr 25th 2008 4:22PM]

matte metal > glossy plastic IMO
chrome and glossy plastic was overused a few years ago, esp by apple, and now it doesn't look good to me.
brushed aluminum >>>> all other matte metals

[Ryan @ Apr 25th 2008 11:04PM]

That was my first thought. I trust Jonathon Ive to make it look incredible though. Thicker is a bit of a disappointment.

[bobartig @ Apr 25th 2008 4:28PM]

@Homeboy: Maybe after observing lots of scratches in preproduction models, they will update the back to be made of OPTICAL QUALITY GLASS! Just don't drop it!

[Dork @ Apr 25th 2008 4:46PM]

No way, I think the plastic looks great.

In my opionion the current white/black glossy Macbooks look way better (in terms of casing) when compared with Macbook Pros/Airs or the rumoured new Macbooks to feature similar aluminum casings.

[Mr. S. @ Apr 25th 2008 5:17PM]

The first gen is actually plastic on the back, just so ya know. The only bit metal was the chrome ring.

[wesg @ Apr 25th 2008 5:43PM]

Apple should bring back the metal used in the 2nd gen iPod nano and iPod mini. That stuff was terrific and hardly scratched at all.

[Samurai Jack @ Apr 25th 2008 6:02PM]

Metal > plastic, but making the back from two different materials is more expensive. Plastic wins here because it's RF transparent.

[Reid @ Apr 25th 2008 6:17PM]

@Vohaul79,

Really? I will admit I've been careful with mine because I didn't really feel like scratching the back, and I keep it in its own pocket in my jeans.. in fact I usually put it face down if I'm worried about scratching something, and have been known to use the face as a coaster for a drink... but the back of mine shows not a single scratch, which makes me think its more durable than I expected.

It does have 1 small dent on each edge of the back where a friend dropped it onto the edge of a dinner plate, but that's a pretty sharp impact on a specific point.

[BK @ Apr 25th 2008 7:33PM]

@ Mr S.

Ummm... No. The only part of plastic in the first gen. iPhone case is the black on the bottom (which covers the antenna) the home button,volume control, silent switch and sleep/wake button. NIce try.

[ATT @ Apr 25th 2008 3:37PM]

question does GPS on cell phone = real GPS

i heard they use cell towers to get your location instead of satellites is true so if no signal your screw ?

[Bootes @ Apr 25th 2008 3:40PM]

The current iPhone can find your location based on cell towers. Real GPS means using satellites to find your location, which is what this rumor is saying the new iPhone will have.

[wwoodard8 @ Apr 25th 2008 5:17PM]

I've always wondered about that and the best info I can get is that is uses both, cell tower triangulation and real GPS. Although I know my LG from Verizon loses its GPS lock as soon as it loses its cell signal. But it is accurate enough to navigate me through traffic...

[Brian E @ Apr 25th 2008 4:15PM]

You're thinking of Assisted GPS (AGPS), which combines information from the satellites and from the cellular network to determine position information. This varies from simply using the network to get data on satellite visibility (speeding up an initial lock while still degrading to normal function when cell service is not available) to offloading all GPS processing to the network (which would result in no positioning at all when there's no service). The first kind is actually better than "real" GPS as it locks faster but otherwise operates like traditional GPS. I'm also guessing that if Apple uses AGPS at all, it will be of this variety.

[Jack @ Apr 25th 2008 6:20PM]

Yes your screw, here ===8

Please dontre luuz lowkay?

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 25th 2008 6:28PM]

when they say proper GPS, they mean it will have real GPS, not that it will have real GPS.

-_-

[phillip9 @ Apr 26th 2008 12:17AM]

I've used winmo phones for years, the iPhone is amazing. I gave my tilt away after using this for 2 days

[Zach @ Apr 25th 2008 3:37PM]

It looks to much like plastic.

[kerunt @ Apr 25th 2008 4:13PM]

Sorry to break it to you, but plastic tends to look like plastic quite often...

[dro @ Apr 25th 2008 3:37PM]

prepare for shitstorm!!

[peshue @ Apr 25th 2008 3:37PM]

Ugh, yet another glossy plastic Apple product that will soon look like total shit from normal use.

[Paul @ Apr 25th 2008 3:37PM]

Glossy black = BOO!

[chris Griffith @ Apr 25th 2008 3:51PM]

yeah, I agree. Glossy black doesn't sound to good, but, when was the last time you have seen an ugly apple product?

[Derbeste @ Apr 25th 2008 3:59PM]

At exactly 3:26pm today.

[Alex Padilla @ Apr 25th 2008 4:01PM]

@ chris

3rd gen nano phatty

/thread

[Blaktornado @ Apr 25th 2008 4:28PM]

@chris Griffith:

2001.

http://www.engadget.com/media/2006/04/flower_power.jpg

[chris Griffith @ Apr 25th 2008 4:33PM]

haha...you got me there.... but i think the nanos look great

[Mic2000 @ Apr 25th 2008 5:20PM]

Yeah, or atleast make it PSP/PS3 piano black, that is someway still nice, but this :S, it just doesn't fit to the world we live in right now, maybe 5 years back...