iPhone 5 Thinner With Larger Screen and Home Button?

While we're not entirely sure about the iPhone 5 release, that doesn't mean we can't divulge ourselves in the multitude of rumors circulating on the internet. Up till now, we know that the iPhone 5 is going to be a world phone compatible on both CDMA / GSM networks worldwide, will have the same dual-core processor as the iPad 2, an 8 megapixel camera or possibly a 12.6 megapixel camera as well, aluminium back and NFC and a larger screen. In the new round of leaks, former editor at Engadget, Joshua Topolsky has received
some interesting information about the iPhone 5, that's awaiting you after the break.

"In a sketch supplied to us by a source (on which the image above is based), the home button is doing double duty as a gesture area; this falls in line with testing we’ve seen for gestures on the iPad, and our sources say that gestures are definitely coming in a future version of iOS. The home button will likely be enlarged, but not scrapped altogether. Furthermore, we’re hearing that the screen on the device will occupy the entire (or near to it) front of the phone, meaning almost no bezel. Our source says the company is doing very “interesting things” with bonded glass technology, and has been exploring designs where the earpiece and sensors are somehow behind the screen itself, making for a device where the display is actually edge-to-edge. Regardless, the sketch we’ve seen suggests the screen will go up to 3.7-inches while keeping the current resolution, and at that size, pixel density goes from 326 to 312 (a drop of 13ppi). That means that Apple can still tout Retina Display technology (the claim is that anything above 300ppi means the pixels aren’t distinguishable at 12 inches). Rumors have been suggesting that the size would bump up to 4 inches, but at that size with the current resolution, pixel density drops to 288, making it harder for Apple to use the RD branding."


In light of all the above mentioned information, does it really seem like Apple is not going to remove the iconic Home button on iPhone 5, as it has been previously rumored? Also, will Apple roll out multitasking gestures in iOS 5? and if Apple is considering bumping up the screen to 4 inches in order to compete with most of the 4 inch screen touting smartphones out in the market, is the company willing to let go of its revolutionary Retina Display technology? We know that Apple is capable of doing wonders with the glass technology it uses for its products, so does the company have yet another surprise rolled up its sleeves?


We're all very anxious to get these answers. Stay tuned for more iPhone 5 coverage, as it develops.