Original Fakes: The Top 15 iPhone 5 Concepts We've Seen So Far

Image via Complex Original

Word around the Apple rumor mill is that the iPhone 5, or whatever it may be called, is on track to be released sometime in the fall; probably around the same time the iPhone 4S was released this past fall. For the past year we've been hearing numerous rumors regarding the release of the iPhone 5—everything from leaked memos from overseas accessory makers, to sources close to the production of the phone—which in turn has caused a number of people to spend their time creating mock-ups of what they think the phone will look like. Some of them are ridiculous while others seem probable. We've rounded up our favorite 15.

iPhone Air

If Apple plans on slimming down the iPhone it should look no further than its own ultra-portable laptop, the MacBook Air. Designer Doriandarko combined the traits of the two products to create a handset with the same curves and tapers as the MBA while retaining the spirit of the iPhone. We're not mad at this one at all.

iPhone Slide

Joy K Studios kept with the current iPhone 4S design and put it on a diet. To further simplify the phone, it removed the home button and replaced it with a touch-sensitive front panel that can be used to close programs and return the phone to the home screen. We doubt Apple will ever ditch the home button, but if it did, it should look like this.

Giga Netzwerk iPhone 5

Instead of mocking up an iPhone concept in Photoshop, the folks at Giga Netzwerk decided to create a real prototype based on the rumors floating around the internet. Much thinner than the current model, Giga's design sports an aluminum back and a larger screen.

iPhone Evolution

Looking like a mix between the current iPhone 4S and the last-gen iPad, this concept appears to be one of the sturdiest of all the concepts which is something the iPhone dearly needs.

iPhone x iPad 2

Apple is known for aligning their product lines under a uniform design, so it would make sense for the company to make the next iPhone resemble the iPad 2. Either that, or the next iPad is going to resemble the iPhone.

Thinner iPhone 4S

Designer Guilerme Martins's concept for the next iPhone didn't stray too far from Apple's current design language. His mock-up is basically an much thinner iPhone 4S with a larger, better screen and camera.

iPhone 5 with Laser Keyboard

The most far-reaching of any iPhone 5 mock-up was this one that featured among other things, a laser keyboard that would appear on any surface with the downward swipe of a finger. Also cool/ridiculous was the inclusion of a holographic display. Looks like these guys were thinking more of the iPhone 10. Head here to watch the video demonstration of the concept in action.

The Verge iPhone 5

Back when The Verge was squatting at ThisIsMyNext.com, the crew had a mock-up of the upcoming iPhone made from reported rumors and specs leaked to them from close sources. What they came up with was a thinner phone with a larger screen with an shiny aluminum back.

MacRumors iPhone 5

This past summer, before the release of the iPhone 4S, a Chinese accessory maker leaked information regarding the cases that were supposed to cover the new iPhone. Using the leaked specs, MacRumors had CiccareseDesign mock up what the future phone would look like. This is what it came up with: larger screen, longer body, thinner frame.

BGR iPhone 5

Speaking to a source close to the production of Apple's next iPhone, BGR learned that the next handset will be made out of aluminum, have tapered edges like the iPad 2, and rock a either plastic or rubber around the bezel. This will be to ensure the phone's antennas get ample reception. We can dig it.

iPhone 5 LM Concept 

Riding on the rumors that Apple will employ the light and durable Liquidmetal material in its future designs, Antoine Brieux has come up with a slim and slick concept for the next Apple handset. Featured here is a Liquidmetal alloy casing, a 4.5-inch display, and a virtual home button positioned in the very same place as the old home button. If an app requires more screen real estate, the home button would give way for more space. Very cool, but very improbable. 

The New iPhone 

If the recent iPad is any indication, there's a good chance the next iPhone won't be called the iPhone 5, but rather the "new" iPhone. ADR Studio is betting on that with this concept. Rocking with a SIM card-free design, the New iPhone is remarkably thin, and has three high-res Retina Displays: one at the very top for notifications and phone information, one in the middle for all the phone's functions, and one at the bottom for the dock. 

iPhone 5 by Federico Ciccarese 

For his latest iPhone concept, Federico Ciccarese takes cues from Apple's Magic Mouse. Everything from the iPhone 4S is here, just placed around a curved back that should fit nicely in hand. 

iPhone SJ 

ADR Studio cooked up this next-gen Apple handset as a tribute to Steve Jobs. As such, this concept is more of a continuation of the current iPhone 4S model, only thinner and lighter thanks to a polycarbonate body. Inside lies a dual-core A6 processor and a 10 MP camera. 

iPhone 5S 

Sure, the iPhone 5 hasn't even come out yet, but that didn't stop Hasan Kaymak from envisioning what Apple's next, next iPhone will be. In his eyes, the 5S will be much thinner but sport a larger capacity 2100 mAh battery, a quad-core processor, wireless charging, NFC, and 4G LTE+. That all sounds like the future to us.