iPhone 5 Prototypes Secretly being Tested by Wireless Carriers

[Wiley John Wright]

Apparently, Apple has sent out iPhone 5 prototypes to high-level wireless carrier employees for testing. Security is so tight it would seem, that the phones are being sent in special, highly secure boxes to ensure that no one gets a look inside before Apple has a chance to unveil them. Apple doesn’t want another Gizmodo incident on their hands.

According to the Guardian, “The next iPhones go for their testing inside locked and sealed boxes so that the carriers can carry out checks on their network compatibility in their labs. It's very high security, as you could guess; my understanding is that barely anyone inside the carriers gets to open those boxes, and even when they do the hardware is encased in a dummy body which means there's no clue to what the actual phone will do.”

When Apple tested the iPhone 4, it was disguised to look like an iPhone 3GS. Even if anyone does manage to spot one of these iPhones, you can bet that it will not look anything like the finished model. Judging from Apple’s past experiences, it would be safe to assume that the current models being tested probably bear a strong resemblance to an ordinary iPhone 4.

It’s not uncommon for wireless carriers to do extensive field-testing before launching new phone models. Apple especially doesn’t want another Antennagate on their hands when the iPhone 5 is released.

The Guardian also says, “You can bet that Apple has come up with some sneaky scheme that would instantly identify any leak of a phone photo from any of those testing labs; and you wouldn't want to be the carrier whose employee had done so.”

The good new is that Apple is currently testing the iPhone 5 in the wild, which is a strong indication that it be released sooner rather than later. The latest rumors point to mid-September launch date, but we won’t know anything for sure until Apple holds it’s annual Special Event in September. Are you looking forward to it as much as I am?

Source: Guardian

[Mysterion]

i wanna test it

[Outrager]

I wonder what would happen if they find something wrong with it. How long would it be delayed?

[barsukoff]

I wonder what would happen if they find something wrong with it. How long would it be delayed?

well there was the white iphone 4....

[zYxMa]

So they tested iPhone 4 in an iPhone 3GS plastic case? How could they possibly know about the antenna issue or rather Death Grip?!

Why so secret?

[RICO_]

It's gonna be really annoying to alot of people if all this "secret" testing is on a phone that looks exactly the same as the iPhone 4.

But then again the mere fact that they don't even want the look of the phone exposed would suggest a possible redesign.

[sziklassy]

If this is factual, I don;t understand the secrecy. The previous phone got leaked months in advance, ended up selling better than any of their previous phones, and nothing bad actually happened. What on earth COULD happen if specs were leaked? Specs from other phones are leaked weeks/months in advance all the time/ What's the big deal?

[dsg]

how can they test it properly if it's not the semi-finished product? (in it's own casing)

Are you looking forward to it as much as I am?

yes, I seem to skip a generation of the iPhone I jumped from a iPhone 2G to a 3Gs so this time it will be from a 3Gs to a 5

[Cer0]

So they tested iPhone 4 in an iPhone 3GS plastic case? How could they possibly know about the antenna issue or rather Death Grip?!

Why so secret?

Because that is what Apple does. Jobs has always been extremely secretive with his stuff. It adds to the appeal or media build-up of the product release.

[fatalcrixer]

If this is factual, I don;t understand the secrecy. The previous phone got leaked months in advance, ended up selling better than any of their previous phones, and nothing bad actually happened. What on earth COULD happen if specs were leaked? Specs from other phones are leaked weeks/months in advance all the time/ What's the big deal?

To build suspense so all the suckers get suckered to buy and spend more and more money

[mmaboi21]

Were getting closer ladies and gents.
I have always loved the hype...

To build suspense so all the suckers get suckered to buy and spend more and more money

To each is own bro

[SwatPac]

Apple is very stupid if they don't want "another Gizmodo incident" to happen. That was a whole bunch of free publicity for the iPhone 4. If I was one of the big dogs at Apple, I would suggest we "lose" or "leak" every upcoming model a few weeks before release to create some hype for it.

[Poseidon79]

Someone want to go on a "Mission Impossible"?! *sings theme song*

[raduga]

Apple is very stupid if they don't want "another Gizmodo incident" to happen. That was a whole bunch of free publicity for the iPhone 4. If I was one of the big dogs at Apple, I would suggest we "lose" or "leak" every upcoming model a few weeks before release to create some hype for it.

You misunderstand.
Being a "big dog" at Apple basically means that your liver is a good match for Steve's.

[psilocybin]

You misunderstand.
Being a "big dog" at Apple basically means that your liver is a good match for Steve's.

Huh? What a stupid comment

[tudtran]

can somebody leave one at a bar? Please

[Stray]

Someone want to go on a "Mission Impossible"?! *sings theme song*

I'll take that mission

[RICO_]

Don't think Apple will be making the same mistake twice........right?

By all accounts they've probably called in the National Guard to protect whoever is doing the testing since Apple treats every imminent product launch like the friggin' Cuban Missile Crisis.

[chberain]

Good point!

So they tested iPhone 4 in an iPhone 3GS plastic case? How could they possibly know about the antenna issue or rather Death Grip?!

Why so secret?

[louietsang]

not so secret if there's secret rumor reports bout it... just saying...