iPhone 5 Reportedly Smuggled Out Of Foxconn Factory
Posted by Michael Nace on Friday Jul 27, 2012 Under Android, iPhone 4, iPhone 5 OpinionNew purported images of the iPhone 5 bear some resemblance to the famed 9to5mac iPhone 5 sightings, but with marked differences. Is this the real iPhone 5, or just another riff on the rumored specs suggested in the late spring?
Time and time again, glimpses of a new iPhone spotted in the wild have broken hearts. Even in 2010, when an iPhone 4 prototype was opportunistically scooped up in a bar and splayed across the internet by Gizmodo, only its innards were revealing; its form factor was still masked in an iPhone 3GS-inspired fuselage. That’s precisely why so many have taken the 9to5mac photos and subsequent case sightings with a grain of salt — it’s just too hard to believe that we’ll ever get a real glimpse of the iPhone prior to its official rollout.
but considering that Gizmodo has come closest to showing us the finished product of an iPhone, their reports are always worth taking a second look at. And it appears that they are claiming a fresh sighting of the iPhone 5 — in its complete form.
Read on to see for yourself.
According to a new Gizmodo report, this above-pictured iPhone 5 prototype was smuggled out of the Foxconn factory: ”A Chinese case manufacturer is showing what looks to be an iPhone 5 in their product shots. It looks like the white 3D prototype we published a while back—complete with its new 19-pin dock port.”
The crux of the Gizmodo article draws direct parallels to the appearance of the iPhone 4 prototype; essentially, they argue that this could be the iPhone 5, since sighting a new iPhone has happened before. Of course, the circumstances at first seem widely different: with the iPhone 4, the unit was accidentally left in a bar by a Cupertino engineer. This story, however, claims that the device was smuggled out of a Foxconn plant in Asia.
And yet, Gizmodo reminds us that, “another iPhone 4 appeared in video and photos on a Vietnamese site. Apparently, it had been smuggled from the factory. The same happened soon after with the iPod touch.” This was the video:
Still, that was 2010. Since then, I have argued for some time that while smuggling small parts out of the Foxconn plant, such as home buttons, is feasible, getting a complete iPhone off the assembly lines would be exceedingly difficult, especially in light one the stepped-up measures that Apple’s Worldwide Loyalty Team have undoubtedly put into place after iPad 2 specs were leaked to some case designers ahead of its release.
Of course, Gizmodo hedges its bets on this iPhone 5 sighting by stating exactly what we’ve been saying here on the blog; that the 9to5mac specs could very well have spurred on all of these fake sightings: “On the other hand, this may be just a custom-made test prototype based on the rumored specifications and leaked parts. Maybe that’s why they are not showing it up close and not making a big deal out of it. The iPhone shows iOS running with a weird combination of icons, including the old Maps icon. That’s strange.”
Yes, it is. It would seem that, while counterfeiters would want to design a fully-functional iPhone 5 unit to further prove its authenticity, it would be highly unlikely that there would be discrepancies in the operating system. While it’s possible that Apple doesn’t pipe in the new iOS until close to shipment (considering that iOS 6 is still in beta testing), one would not expect iOS on this unit to raise eyebrows.
Even if these sighting prove to be false, what remains to be seen is that the iPhone 5 rumor mill could really have guessed some of the more landmark features that we’re seeing, such as the elongated screen and 19-pin dock connector. It’s hard to imagine that Apple would allow these features to leak prior to the iPhone 5′s official release, which still leads me to believe that we’ll see a different design in the fall when Tim Cook officially reveals it.
By Michael Nace
Michael Nace is the Publisher of the iPhone 5 News Blog and iPhone 6 News Blog. He has published articles about the iPhone since 2010.
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July 27th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
I doubt that these are the real thing. Also notice the headphone jack has switched sides compared to the 9to5 pics parts pics.
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July 27th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Actually maybe the headphone jack is on the same side (left)?
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July 27th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
I think that the iPhone 5 look nearly the same like this, but this photo is to 99% a fake, because it shows that the iPhone is charging but it isn’t plugged in…
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July 27th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
I don’t like it! I don’t think Apple will keep the same thickness in the newest iPhone. Apple is well known for liking to be the thinnest out there (talk about anorexic products…) even though the iPad actually gained a few pounds. I just think they’ll go thinner with the iPhone (insert weird monicker here) because they lost the title for thinnest smartphone about a year ago.
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July 27th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@Christian
The leak parts are thinner. Okay it is without the front glass, but im pretty sure that they use Gorilla Glass 2 and in-Cell touch and so I think it will be a little bit thinner (something about 8,0 mm)
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July 27th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
The rumors of the new iphone seem to resemble old prototypes that Apple has released pictures of for the patent suit against Samsung (see 9to5mac). I think the first rumors of this phone only said that it would be longer and then later said it would have the two tone back plate. You can find pictures of said prototypes from Apple’s old ones that were just released. It’s funny how with that little information that has been rumored to be on the new iphone that all of the leaked pictures all show what appears to be the iphone 4/4S but longer and thinner. I feel very confident at this point that Apple isn’t going to release the same looking phone. It may resemble it in some way, but I don’t think it will look the exact same with a stretched out body.
Also, if somebody happened to smuggle out an actual iphone 5 then how come they are just sending out a few vague pictures of what it looks like? Why wouldn’t they be telling the world about all the specs and the hardware that it has?
I think 9to5mac’s article paints a better picture of the significance of these photos…in that it appears very much to be a fake that is used to show off their covers (I would guess to scam people into buying covers for what they think will fit the next iphone).
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July 27th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Also, for those that like to say that Apple always blows away Samsung and that Samsung isn’t a legit competitor:
http://9to5mac.com/2012/07/27/idc-samsung-clobbers-apple-with-twice-as-many-phones-sold-in-q2/
Although the Galaxy S3 may not be selling as many units or as quickly as the iphone does, Samsung as a company does much better in selling phones than Apple. As I mentioned in a comment a week or two ago (and also a few months ago), I think Apple would be smart to release more than one new iphone to appeal to the desires of the different customers.
If Apple’s products are mostly about having a nice interface and a great ecosystem for their products, why not diversify a little with the phone models? When the new phone comes out, why not release a sweet new model but maybe with a couple different sizes? People like variation, which is why not everybody buys a black phone….which is why Samsung has sold millions of the Galaxy S3 and millions of the Galaxy Note. Apple would be even more successful if they diversify their portfolio a little….as they will soon find out with releasing the smaller ipad. They did it with the ipod and each one met the needs of different people and each were very successful. So why not with the iphone?
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July 27th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
@dofe, even with the picture of the hand holding the iPhone is fake?
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July 27th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
@Jeff – I think they are the same mockup. We all know how Apple is with QC and if you look at the home button layng flat you will see how off center the square is on the home button. Then if you look at the phone in hand and look at the home button there, again you will see the mis-alignment. I don’t think this is a working model of an alleged iPhone. If it were I think you’d see a video of it before you would see the stills.
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July 27th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
this is not an real phone.is a sample,and a poor one…
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July 27th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
“As for those who like to say” Samsung isn’t a legit competitor, you’re right.
……..Apple’s 1st released quarter ALWAYS has to be compared to Samsungs 1st quarter to compare sales.
“Hey lets compare the sales of a 9 month old phone to a 1-2 month old phone”
“OMG finally! After the iPhone 4S is 9 months old we FINALLY saw a brand NEW phone beat the 4S current sales!”
Yeah? Compare release to release, and compare 9 month old phones to 9 month old phones. Aww Apple wins
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July 27th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Dear Incoherent readers: Samsung owns TONS of phones, and out of their TONS of phones, they beat Apples phone sales this current quarter.
A total of TONS Of phones VS 1 phone
Samsung shipped 50 million phones this quarter, not 50M GS3. The GS3 already proved its low sales numbers. Someone had to write an article regarding all of Samsungs other phones combined sales hahahaha what a fail
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July 27th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
WOW THIS IPHONE5 IS AMAZING ABOUT AS AMAZING AS MY OCEAN FRONT VILLA IN NEBRASKA!!!! Sorry I could resist… I know that as we get closer to a possible release the more the fakes will come out. Like with the previous Iphones, I will not believe anything until it is in the hands of Tim Cook (or previously SJ)
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July 27th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
And once again the usual person fails to understand the words that were written. As I mentioned, Samsung sold 50 million phones (not of any particular model, and even mentioned that the GS3 isn’t selling as many as the iphone. However if you want to get particular, the GS3 had millions more of preorders than the iphone 4S did) in one quarter….and as I said, it would be very smart of Apple to release more than one model of a phone. Any company that can sell 50 million phones in a quarter is definitely in competition for sales with Apple. Unless you are completely blinded by Apple’s prestige and fail to understand how business works, I’m sure it is hard to understand that a company that sells more of a product than you do is definitely a fierce competitor.
Along those lines, I’m sure there are other very small companies that Apple could be suing over patent infringements. Why did they choose to go after Samsung? Because they are the biggest competitor and the biggest opportunity to “recover” money.
In any case, i’m not trying to make a case for Samsung here. I’m excited for the new iphone. Samsung and Apple both have a great thing going. If it weren’t for Samsung, Apple wouldn’t have the amazing displays (and other components) that make Apple so great. If it weren’t for Apple, Samsung wouldn’t be competing as heavily as they are. Their competition makes even better products for the consumers. It’s just annoying when iSheep are blinded to reality and make bad statements with very limited and biased information.
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July 27th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
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July 27th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
****
ATTENTION ALL VIEWERS:
Let me make this more clear for you
Samsung makes 26 phones for AT&T
Samsung makes 18 phones for Verizon
Samsung makes 12 phones for Sprint
Samsung makes 18 phones for T-Mobile
Samsung makes 71 phones for all other carriers
Apple makes 3 phone for AT&T
Apple makes 3 phone for Sprint
Apple makes 3 phone for Verizon
Samsung’s 145 phones sold 50 Million this quarter
Apple’s 9 phones sold 26 Million this quarter
Oh IMPRESSIVE. Samsung did NOT sell double Apple’s. They actually fell short of double. How disappointing. Samsung makes 136 MORE phones than Apple, yet cannot even sell double the amount? And its being advertised? Advertising failure?
Once again,
Samsung – 145 Phones (50 Million shipped this quarter)
Apple – 9 Phones (26 Million shipped this quarter)
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July 27th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
@GetSwole “There use to be an android tab at the top of this website where you could read about android news. I wish it was still there.”
Did I have an Android tab on the top menu? I seriously do not remember that. But it is possible. I still have all of the categories in the sidebar, Android included.
Here’s what I’ll say about discussing Android phones: I always write and discuss them here as a kind of foil to the iPhone. Particularly the Samsung phones — Samsung is the only company that has even come close to matching Apple mano e mano.
But I think GetSwole makes an extremely good point when he lists all of the Samsung products sold by the top mobile carriers versus Apple. It’s exactly what I have been trying to articulate in blog articles: that Samsung — and Google by extension — has this horizontal approach to marketing, and Apple has a narrow, vertical approach.
“Samsung’s 145 phones sold 50 Million this quarter
Apple’s 9 phones sold 26 Million this quarter”
There you have it. This is one of those misleading stats, since Apple is the one making far more money, pound for pound.
I don’t see this situation changing anytime soon: Apple will continue to see vertically, and Android will continue to sell horizontally.
[Oh, and just a friendly reminder: let's all remember to debate respectfully here, folks.
]
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July 27th, 2012 at 6:59 pm
@Michael, surprisingly enough, when you had the Android tab at the top, I did venture over there from time to time to see what they were up to, but primarily I stayed on the iPhone side and only read about Samsung when it directly involved the iPhone, which is still what you’ve been doing, and I appreciate that a lot. I like how if there’s anything involving Samsung, it always is an article that involves the iPhone. You make very nice connections and points, while always keeping it objective.
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July 27th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Getswole really has a point here. Samsung vs Apple charts always are comparing things that aren’t comparible. Like te Galaxy Note to the iPhone 4S. Really one is a mini tablet and one is a phone. Or the GS3 vs iPhone 4S. I realize that they are current phones but a lot changes in the tech industry in 9 months. Then there are apple vs Samsung sales which are always the most lopsided comparisons ever.
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July 27th, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Hopefully, this is just one of all the aiPhones, eyePhones, wiPhones, whyPhones, diePhones, die4phones etc that can be found in the chinese market.
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July 27th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
It’s like a child that twists everything to try to get their way in an argument. It doesn’t matter how many models of phones each company makes. The point is that people keep trying to downplay the significance of Samsung as if they aren’t even a player in the market. It’s obvious that Samsung makes a lot of models of phones and they would be smart to eliminate the ones that don’t sell well. The point is that no matter how you slice and dice it, Samsung sold 50 million phones versus 26 million iPhones. That’s 50 million more non iPhones in the hands of consumers during a three month period. You can certainly bet that senior management feels the pressure from that…especially when Samsung is reporting record profits and apple missed their earnings estimates.
Anywho, those that understand the basics of business will appreciate the point being made. Honestly I don’t really care how many phones either company sells. They each have great phones and have distinct benefits and features. I appreciate many of the articles that nace posts and most of the comments that offer distinct and thoughtful comments. As I stated before, both companies bring about great innovations. It’s just a shame that some people want to twist everything to share skewed information…all because they are intimidated by competition. Oh well, I guess those that are so closed minded will always only see what they want to see.
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July 27th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
LOL Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry for “twisting” the information by adding my personal opinions! Here, ill present the information without any of my personal opinions.
This last quarter Samsung sold an average of 344,827 phones per model.
This last quarter Apple sold an average of 2,888,888 phones per model.
Which is more impressive?
Apple sold an average of 2,544,061 MORE phones per model than Samsung did.
To calculate this,
Samsung’s 145 phones sold 50 Million this quarter.
Apple’s 9 phones sold 26 Million this quarter.
Divide the millions of sales by the amount of phones each company makes.
Apple sold approximately 8.38 more phones per model than Samsung did.
Meaning for every 8 phones that Apple sold, Samsung would sell 1.
Last quarter was a 8:1 ratio in favor of Apple.
Im dying to know where I twisted this information with 100% mathematical facts.
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July 27th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Step by step:
50,000,000 divided by 145 = 344,827
26,000,000 divided by 9 = 2,888,888
Samsung sold an average of 344,827 phones per model
Apple sold an average of 2,888,888 phones per model
Divide the two and you’ll get a ratio. Divide Apple’s by Samsung’s.
2,888,888 : 344,827 ratio
is the same ratio as
8:1
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July 27th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
@Michael please delete my comments #22 and #23, Apple doesnt sell 9 phones, they sell 7.
I appologize, the 3GS is only available to AT&T users. So Apple sells 7 phones.
Im dying to know where I twisted this information with 100% mathematical facts.
50,000,000 divided by 145 = 344,827
26,000,000 divided by 7 = 3,714,285
Samsung sold an average of 344,827 phones per model
Apple sold an average of 3,714,285 phones per model
Divide the two and you’ll get a ratio. Divide Apple’s by Samsung’s.
3,714,285 : 344,827 ratio
is the same as
10.7 : 1
Almost
11:1 but not quite.
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July 27th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
To kinda get this back on track… Is there anyone who thinks these photos are the real deal? All the comments so far seem to think not, and I would agree with them. If this does turn out to be real, it will need some revolutionary software feature because I don’t see much hardware changes, at least externally. Although, moving the headphone jack and iSight camera does vacate that top left corner for an NFC chip…
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July 28th, 2012 at 6:08 am
@GetSwole : i could be wrong,but i think that there more hemmorrhoid users than iOS users on this blog.
I enter here everyday,and judging from your likes and unlikes i think we are a minority on this blog.
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July 28th, 2012 at 6:36 am
@Cosmin, i’ve proved in the past that users will simply dislike every single one of your comments from multiple devices regardless of what you say.
Its not that what im saying is bad, its that there are 1-2 users who have multiple devices and will dislike every single one of my comments.
Example:
User 1 said Blah blah blah and recieved 7 likes and ZERO dislikes
GetSwole said “I agree with user 1″ and received 4 dislikes
You see, they didnt dislike User 1′s comments. Only the fact that I agree’d with them.
They dislike all of my comments regardless of what I say, simply because they dont like me.
I have a VERY sarcastic tone in most everything I post, and I love it, but a few users hate it, so boo hoo for them lol they can keep disliking my comments idc.
I also pointed out how it happened to undefeatable as well because he was questioning why he received so many dislikes over a completely neutral comment that had nothing to do with anything.
There’s a few users on here who have multiple devices and will spam-dislikes across a few users no matter what they say,
And most of all, they make it “LOOK” like you get a lot of dislikes, when really you dont.
I have 6 devices that all use individual IP addresses and I could easily give myself 5 thumbs ups on all of my comments but I don’t obviously. But thats just an example of how easy it is. All id have to do is visit this site on my other 5 devices with unique IP addresses.
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July 28th, 2012 at 9:04 am
@GetSwole Can you stop your rant? It’s getting annoying. Seems like you know nothing about economics and marketing. Read some books and specialized magazines, maybe you’ll understand why samsung has a lot more models than apple…
You are basicly ruining my good time on this website
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July 28th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Ouch… ^^^^ i think we found him hahaha…
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July 28th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@Willem, I agree. They are actually very simple business concepts. It’s sometimes impossible to reason with a child though.
I seriously hope the new iPhone looks amazing and I would prefer that they keep the 2:3 aspect ratio rather than go up to a 16:9. A long, skinny iPhone would look ridiculous.
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July 28th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Simple mathematics proves that Apple is economically succeeding far beyond Samsung with a much higher demand per phone model. Apple sells an average of 3,714,285 units per model while Samsung isn’t even at 400,000. Economically speaking, how is Apple not superior, please inform me.
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July 28th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@Mike D. I agree, I like the 2:3 aspect ratio as well
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July 28th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
@getswole, It’s not about sales per model…it’s about total units sold.
I’m glad that we finally agree on something.
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July 28th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
@GetSwole i appreciate your stand of view and i do understand what you’re going. I agree with you gettign more sales with one model is good. But i agree the others to. No matter how much models you have if you sell more genrally you’ll have more cash. I think what the others are trying to make clear is this. Yes it costs alot of money to develop and design a new phones. That is where all you’re costs go. Your designers qnd staff. Its not the producten chain that cost alot. You’ll get your money back on the sales. What samsung actually does is. They make a design for a phone. And from that one design they make 3 or more models. This means. They only need to pay their staff to design one phone and from that make 3 models. By doing this. You can specify and meet the needs of your costumers more acurate.
A verry nice example is the car industry. If im not wrong you’ve got this new brand Dacia. And i think its from Renault. But whatevr. Renault designs a engine. Alot of work goes in to this. This engines is then used in several models. And on top of that. Renault came with this new brand Dacia. What they did woth this. Is they used the design of the engine of Renault to fit into the Dacia. With other words. They didnt even had to design a new engine. Evrry time they’ll sell a dacia its pure cash minus production.
Samsung did this also with the Galaxy Ace and Galaxy Gio. One concept 2 models. Gio being the little brother of the Ace.
That being said regardless to the ratio what these companies do. They know what they are doing and how to. And if i may,… I actually don’t give a crap of how the companies compete. Im the coqtumer i got my needs and im willing to pay for a reasonable price. If Apple doesnt give what i want then ill just go to Samsung amd vica versa. When two dogs fight for a bone its the third one who gets its. Im that third one. Let them compete the better for us –> better service for less money. Customer IS always king
Now on topic. I do hope they will not just stretch the phone thats just easy working. Some people say the phone might be thinmer because ofhe parts being thinner. I believe that they achieved the perfect thickness. The phone mustn be to thin to figt nice in the hand. I do believe they’ll use the advantages of thinner parts so they’ll have more room on the inside for bigger battery and blah blah. Anyways Apple will do fine they always did with Steve Jobs and since this was his project. It will not fail
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July 29th, 2012 at 12:10 am
3:2, not 2:3…. My bad
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July 29th, 2012 at 1:29 am
So, this Is pretty boring…. Did John Ive and his staff just take the last couple of years off?
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July 29th, 2012 at 2:14 am
No, Jonny Ives & crew COULDN’T have taken the last year off – I’m sure we’ll see the amazing fruits of their labor revealed soon, and not the bogus pics circulating around . . . . or I’ll eat my leather iPhone wallet case!!!!! But, uhhhh, just wondering here Michael, and murmurs or hints from your friend who works in the iPhone case business??? Had to ask.
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July 29th, 2012 at 4:03 am
@Essence : Dacia is not a new brand.is an Romanian car since 1969…
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July 29th, 2012 at 4:10 am
i cant wait till octomber…i buyed an SGS3 for my wife,but she didin’t like it…she took my i4s and give me the SGS3…
It’s a good phone…but android sucks big time…
restart at least 1-2 time per day…apps are not even close to iOS…
don’t get me wrong,is not a bad phone at all,but…i miss my iPhone…
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July 29th, 2012 at 5:36 am
If this is really the latest iteration of the iPhone, then I reckon this will be Apple’s downfall. Oh how the mighty have fallen…
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July 29th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Boy, I can’t wait for the iPhone 6 discussions…
@Michael, will our comment counts from here carry over to the iphone6newsblog site?
As for the math done here, it would be more interesting to see the breadth of the sales by model. Comparing 4S sales to the lowest end Samsung isn’t fair, and comparing total sales doesn’t capture the low end cheapo phones. What I think would be interesting would be to survey people when they come in a store as to what kind of phone they were looking for, and what kind they bought.
As for the response to my earlier comment… I think you’re right.
Well, I have. We info from apple, and I think I’ll try the mountain lion server upgrade today, again. Wish me luck!
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July 29th, 2012 at 11:54 am
I have more info from apple…
Next iPhone: Must.have.bigger.screen.for.my.fumblefingers!!!
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July 29th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
@Cosmin I feel your pain, Im having to use an Android phone as well :/ my i4 broke and so now im having to wait for the i5 to come out
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July 30th, 2012 at 1:24 am
@GetSwole : thank u brother
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