iPhone 4G: proof
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted April 18th 2010 4:03PM
posted April 18th 2010 4:03PM
Additionally, a source -- who confirms this is the next Apple iPhone -- also tells us that the device apparently does have a higher res screen on-board, a front-facing camera, a higher resolution camera with flash, and takes MicroSIM cards (that's the little "button" around the side you see in the Twitpic which is floating around the internet). We're working on uncovering more info, but right now you can take a look at the proof above for yourself, and in the gallery below.
Note: The device we're talking about can be clearly seen in the UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE PHOTO, you know, with the arrow pointing to it.
Update: A Mac Rumors forum member has just posted pictures from Chinese site WeiPhone of what appears to be the guts of this device. These images line up with what we know right now. We've added a gallery of the shots below.
Update 2: In response to commenters and tipsters questioning the differences between the Twitpic and WeiPhone pics and the "San Jose" photos; these are likely handmade demo units, therefore there will be minor differences between them such as the screws appearing and then not appearing. We believe the models which will roll off of the production lines in China will look like these devices, likely with some minor physical tweaks, but they will look like these phones. Other major design decisions are already set in stone, such as the rumored glass back, which is present on both of these devices (Daring Fireball's John Gruber mentions them here). Yes, there are very minor discrepancies between these photos, but you need to understand they are from a very small pool of hand-built tester units. It is incredibly likely that the next version of the iPhone will look like the photos you see in the gallery below, and we certainly wouldn't claim that if we didn't have good reason to believe it.
Update 3: Gruber has expanded on the info concerning a glass backing for these new devices, and he's dug up a 2006 Apple patent application on a ceramic enclosure for handheld devices which is also (ding ding ding), radio transparent.
...limit for Apple fanboy news reached...shutting down...
This doesn't change the fact that we have to wait until June.
@JustinB At the most redundant obvious and obvious comment goes to...
Also, wouldn't you still like to know? It's exciting to speculate.
I'm still skeptical
I'm still powerful
@Lord Vader
Although that is true, you really missed out on a "I find your lack of faith disturbing".
@Lord Vader
Are you sure?
@Darth Vadar
Who is this imposter? Lord Vader, eliminate him immediately.
@Darth Vadar
I've seen Darth Vadar and Darth Vador in the same day. Only on engadget...
@Lord Vader
Ohh yes, very powerful. Wait, your flagship still uses LASERS? Hahaha.
@Physicsguy89. What the? You expect me to do work? That's what you slaves are for. Now dispose of him immediately. You will be rewarded with another day to live. and maybe a cookie if the force is feeling generous.
@Lord Vader
"good artists copy, great artists steal"
@Physicsguy89
So am I.
Steve do NOT give into the Apple Haters. Please make sure the iPhone 4G is not that ugly.
@James T Kirk
What else makes that awesome "pew pew" sound?
@TheLondonExchange
Hm, if Steve didn't give into the haters, then we'd still be without multitasking...
But OS 4 has multitasking...
@DanMan Am I too late?
@Lord Vader
The force is no match for the Shwartz
@LordDarkHelmet Lord Vader "Mini Me"
Man, I would have never noticed that. Good job!
@andthemaniam
I'm still skeptical though (looks like there's a hardware switch above the 2 buttons, maybe silence on/off or display on/off? Not very Apple-esque). Maybe it's a prototype or some sort of early production model?
@andthemaniam Theres a silence switch on all iPhones
@andthemaniam - Every one of Apple's iPhone's have had that button, and the iPad has one as well for screen rotation lock.
@MRCUR
ooo I didn't know that (I don't own one)! I thought Apple shied away from hardware buttons and stuff like that. I'd say this is the real deal then :D
@andthemaniam - They generally do, especially on the front of the device (there's only one button there - the home button). The left side has three buttons, one switch for silent mode on the iPhones/screen orientation lock on the iPad. The right side has no buttons, although this iPhone 4G looks to be moving the microSIM slot over there. The top only has one button as well, the sleep/wake (power) button.
So, Josh, are you going to pony up that 10K and see if you can get this thing running?
I would laugh if it was still a con job.
I never doubted that the phone was an iPhone, but I don't think it's the iPhone we're all going to see.
Much like that iPad isn't the release iPad, it's an engineering sample/prototype/whatever you want to call it. The iPhone is an engineering prototype. The one we get won't look like this.
I hope apple announce it before I leave the US
First, this doesn't look at all like a typical design from Apple. It's blocky, you can see seams, it's got a lot of buttons.
Second, I don't really see how you can tell that's an iPhone in the picture. O_o
Yawn...either way it's not going to be released any faster.
It's a fake!
No! The it's-a-fake images are just fakes!
http://i43.tinypic.com/2h6r5s9.jpg
C.
@Carniphage That's fake, ours is real. And the leak we had of the iPad with the phone SITTING NEXT TO IT is super, duper real. Believe me.
@Joshua Topolsky. I can Jedi mind trick him if you want
@Joshua Topolsky
Dude I am a believer!
I spotted that the Spanish "disproof" images were just just cut and pasted images from yesterday's lost-prototype snaps.
C.
@Joshua Topolsky
Josh, with respect, it doesn't look anything like it at all. It's a regular iPhone 3G(S) with some silicon case or similar. This one has been denounced as a Jap clone and has been photographed in user's hands. We're all looking forward to the 4G(SX) but this isn't it!
@Joshua Topolsky
He's agreeing with you, he says that the images claiming the original post as a fake- are in fact- fake themselves.
He just worded it strange.
@Lord Vader You aren't a Jedi?
@bougelahi
Fool, you do not question the power of Lord Vader.
@Joshua Topolsky
Okay, I now believe. Thanks! :)
@Physicsguy89. Good work Physicsguy, I am promoting you to Captain, (shakes fist) do not fail me
@Lord Vader
Seriously, how lame can you get?
@Almo. You must be talking about the imposter, Lord Vador
@Lord Vader
I am honored sir. I will not disappoint you
@Lord Vader You were funny briefly. Only briefly.
@AnalogRebellion Rebel scum.
@Carniphage Applesfera confirmed their photos are fake.
@AnalogRebellion Perhaps a 1-liner once a month on a significant post, but he posts like 5 times on each thread. The whole "fake" thing people started after the site changed has gotten to be quite the beat down.
@Joshua Topolsky "And the leak we had of the iPad with the phone SITTING NEXT TO IT is super, duper real. Believe me."
You've got not credibility what so ever dude!
Going "this is PROOF omg !!!!!!1!!!" and showing some grainy pictures which could be anything, just goes to show that.
Can you imagine how nervous the people at Apple have been the past 3 weeks that somebody would put the pieces together?
Someone is gonna die for unveiling this thing.