Mockups based on leaked case designs might be a fair guess at the shape of the iPhone 5. Image: MacRumors/CiccareseDesign

Leaked case designs have been a surprisingly good barometer for predicting the shapes of previous iPhones and iPods, and even the iPad 2. The thinking goes that iPhone cases are big business, and case-makers are willing to pay big bucks to get their hands on the details so they can have cases in stores on launch day.

Couple this with the fact that Apple is surely already building iPhone 5s in their zillions to avoid any shortages at the expected September launch, and there must be some underpaid worker, somewhere, willing to sell the secrets.

So it is that MacRumors commissioned Italian designers Ciccarese to make a CG mockup of the iPhone 5 based on already leaked case designs. Could this be the shape of the iPhone 5?

Ciccarese’s design looks like a cross between an iPod Touch and an iPad. It is incredibly thin, has a huge screen that stretches almost to the edges of the body, and adds in a weird, lozenge-shaped home button. It is also gorgeous. I’m planning on buying my first ever iPhone this year, and I would certainly be happy with this one.

Some features make sense here. The iPhone’s screen is looking small by today’s standards, and Apple could easily let the resolution drop slightly in exchange for an extra half-inch of space. Thinner is almost always guaranteed with Apple, and the slightly tapered wedge shape would provide space for cameras up top while slimming things down everywhere else.

The only thing that seems really off is that wide home button. But then, what do I know? I was sure the leaked iPad designs were fake because of the ugly great speaker grille on the back. Then again, I still can’t quite believe it’s real.

This Could Be What Apple’s iPhone 5 Looks Like [MacRumors]

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