After the release of the purported iPhone 5 design document, we've received a couple of mockups what the iPhone 5 might look like. While we don't normally indulge the purely speculative mockups, the recent rumors have given us some guidance as what the iPhone 5 might look like.

The first comes from MacRumors user bikr who we asked to try to closely approximate the leaked document, with a tapered design and elongated home button.

mock
The design has a slightly sloping taper to it from top to bottom, reminiscent of the MacBook Air.

Meanwhile, CiccareseDesign has created their own mockup but was a little more free with their design choices. They retained the top-to-bottom taper, but ignored some of the other elements. They call this the "iPhone Air".

iPhone Air 05
A few of the other images show that the designer took some liberties, retaining the squared off design of the iPhone 4. Obviously, this is not likely to be predictive of what the actual iPhone 5 might look like.

Top Rated Comments

nathanjbrown Avatar
190 months ago
I have a hard time buying the tapered design. Holding the phone in portrait would be fine, but in landscape it would feel lopsided; out of balance and, therefore, out of the norm for an Apple product. When the iPhone 4 was released, engadget likened it's weight and construction to a Leica camera. A lofty claim! When I got my hands on mine, I completely agreed. The fit and finish - the feel of it in hand - was superb. That tapered design would be a step in the wrong direction.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stanluca Avatar
190 months ago
Makes me feel

like I'm living a Teenage Dream!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bikr Avatar
190 months ago
Some important notes here..

I was asked for a iPhone 5 mockup that resembled the cad drawings that were released, from the iphone 5 case rumor.

I didn't conceptualize this design at all, nor did I submit this to MacRumors unsolicited.

I was approached by MacRumors for a mockup, and I provided a really early, trivial piece I was working on personally. I was told that a few of the details didn't match, and I offered to revise it and make it match the CAD drawings more precisely. The image you see is what resulted..

I'm a little perturbed that the article made it seem like I sent these in as original concepts and unsolicited.. Not nearly what happened..

(http://skitch.com/bikr/fcgkx/keyshot-2.1-pro-floating-license-untitled.bip-64-bit)

Click for large view (http://skitch.com/bikr/fcgkx/keyshot-2.1-pro-floating-license-untitled.bip-64-bit)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
itsmemuffins Avatar
190 months ago
Qwerty! Qwerty! Qwerty! Qwerty!

No! No! No! No!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
myrtlebee Avatar
190 months ago
I'm sorry- I've worked in design for years and the second mockup is simply not practical. The weight distribution would be a nightmare- in both portrait and landscape. The thing would be entirely top-heavy and extremely awkward to hold (for a few seconds, let alone an entire phone conversation). Forget gaming.

The first is a bit more subtle and practical, but still would not be optimal for a phone by any means.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Liquinn Avatar
190 months ago
If it looks anything like that I won't buy it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...