When the iPhone 4 was revealed — well, leaked, really — it became the most radical iPhone upgrade in many ways at the time, not just in terms of power but also design. Gone were the chunky form factor and curved back, and instead there was a uniform flat edge with a matching flat back. It was, many people still think, one of the most beautiful iPhones Apple has ever designed.
Of course, times change. Now, Apple is back to curves, but for next year's iPhones, it may bring back some of the iPhone 4's design elements.
2020 iPhone To Throw It Back
As first reported by MacRumors, Apple's 2020 iPhones could come with a metal frame design similar to that of the iPhone 4 back in 2010. This rumor comes from usually right Apple tipster Ming-Chi Kuo, saying the "metal frame surface will be changed to a similar design to the iPhone 4, replacing the current surface design."
Kuo also previously stated that the 2020 iPhones will feature an all-new design, though he didn't specify what exactly will make the design "new." Apple has stuck with its current form factor since introducing the iPhone X in 2017.
Compared with most recent iPhones, the iPhone 4 had a more squared-edge design. This was recently brought back, but for the 2018 iPad Pro, which rids of the previous generation's rounded edges in favor of more defined edges. That said, Kuo says that the 2020 iPhones will still incorporate glass with a slight curve on the front and rear panels, which is unlike the implementation on the iPad Pro.
Antennagate
It should be noted that despite clamor for the iPhone 4 design, it proved faulty shortly after release. The phone fell into what's known as the "antennagate" scandal, which saw people lose reception if they held the device a certain way, prompting Apple to hand out free cases to remedy the situation. Kuo says the metal frame on the forthcoming iPhones, however, will be designed to minimize the effects metal could have on high-frequency transmission. To be fair, Apple also has successfully integrated antennas into the sides of its most recent phones, meaning antennagate is no longer a problem for the company.
Apart from their throwback designs, the 2020 iPhones will all support 5G, according to Kuo. Some reports say they'll also feature in-display fingerprint scanners, although Kuo has mentioned this feature may not arrive until 2021.
Did you like the iPhone 4 design? As always, feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
