Now that the rumors behind the iPad 3 are officially over, Apple fans can start looking forward to the company’s next big release: the iPhone 5. The new phone is expected to be lighter and thinner thanks to the “liquid metal” that will replace the glass screen.
According to the International Business Times , Apple acquired a “liquid metal” patent in 2010 from Delaware-based Liquidmetal Technologies. Korean site ETNews reports that the liquid metal will be used in the next generation of iPhones. ET News writes:
“The next flagship phones of [Apple and Samsung] are expected to adopt unprecedented materials for their main bodies, that is, ceramic for the Galaxy S3 and liquid metal for iPhone 5, both being thin, light and highly resistant to external impacts. The new phase of the rivalry is because neither one of them can get a decisive edge over the other solely with its OS and AP specifications, features or design.”
The iPhone 5 also has a rumored release date. According to ETNews, the new phone will be unveiled in June at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
Analyst Chris Jones told Wired that Apple needs a big change in the new iPhone to keep its hold over the cellphone market. Jones said:
“The next iPhone needs to truly stand out from the crowd. A change in materials is a likely way to differentiate its form factor.”
IHS senior principal analyst Kevin Keller said that Apple may decide to use the liquid metal to construct the entire chassis of the new iPhone. Keller said:
“We expect Apple and other manufacturers to start using this not only for larger and more visible portions of devices, but also entire enclosures.”