10 iPhone 5 Concept Designs We're Happy Apple Didn't Use

Image via Complex Original

Designer: Jinyoung Choi

When it comes to its smartphones, Apple’s creed is simple—build the most stylish and simplistic mobile handset anyone would feel comfortable using. So an accessories-laced prototype such as the iPhone Pro wouldn't fit the company’s plan. Granted Choi’s vision of a 1.2 MP 3D camera rear camera that mounts a DSLR lens sounds dope, it’s a little too excessive (and ridiculously heavy) for the average mobile photographer. Oh yeah, it also looks like Apple's version of the Samsung Galaxy Note.

Designer: Bob Freking 

One could only image Steve Jobs reaction to seeing Bob Freking’s Apple flip-phone prototype. We think it’d be the same controversial statement he scolded ESPN’s president George Bodenheimer with after hearing of the sports network’s Samsung phone. We can’t tell what’s lamer: the RAZR-esque design or the spec sheet, which consists of two touchscreens, a notification panel, and the same camera found in the iPhone 4S.

Designer: Federico Ciccarese 

Some people take their love of sci-fi a little too seriously. Enter Federico Ciccarese. This concept designer decided to ditch the handheld outline in favor of a wearable mobile device, one that features metal legs that grip onto your hand. Fucking creepy. The iPod Nano-esque appearance doesn’t help its case.

Designer: Gregory Pizzatto 

Anything that bears a resemblance to the Motorola Flipout falls under the whack category. Gregory Pizzatto should have known better when he constructed this disaster—a square-shaped iPhone with a heavy focus on social media and a slide-out touch QWERTY. Nuff said.

Designer: Unknown

Once word broke out that Apple had interest in acquiring the “swiftmobile” domain, an anonymous jokester put together this long-stretch iPhone concept dubbed the iSwift. The end result looks like three iPhones compiled into one long-ass device. Really? 

Designer: Alexander Black 

Everyone knows Apple’s style. Alexander Black thought he could spice things up by blending different colors into the mix, but the end result makes his iPhone 5 concept look like a handset with a badly placed decal. Even with its high-end spec sheet (10MP camera, dual core 1.9GHz CPU), Sir Jonathan Ive would not approve.

Designer: TheTechnoToast

TheTechnoToast was able to nail the design of the iPhone 5, but one thing he got sorely wrong was the width of the screen. Thinking that Apple would follow in the footsteps of Samsung and build a smartphone/tablet was a fateful mistake. There's no proof yet that peopel actually want a phone that could double as a tablet. People prefer to have booth. Hence the monstrous sales of the iPhone and iPad. 

Designer: Joy Studios

Sorry to crush your Dick Tracy dreams, but there was no way Apple was going to build a phone that could double as a wristwatch. Hell, it even changed the one product it made that could be used as a watch. 

Designer: ADR Studio

Here's another smartphone/tablet mash-up we're glad was way off the mark. When released it was one of the top concepts, but, hey, hindsight's 20/20. ADR Studios mocked up this iPhone 5 concept that adopted the same naming scheme as the new iPad. Not only is the screen too wide, making it difficult for users to hold and tap out messages, the huge bulge in the back doesn't look like it'd be very comfortable. 

Designer: Andro Gama

Yeah... no. Good god, no.