Website 9 To 5 Mac released these images, which were obtained from “supply chain sources” according to their original article. One of the biggest apparent changes is a move to a metal back plate for the phone. This could be a completely stylistic change, or allow molding of the iPhone antenna to the backplate, meaning more room for internal components. 

Other changes include a smaller dock connector for the phone which can be seen on the bottom of the pictured devices. The opening next to this is likely the headphone jack, which has been moved from the top to the bottom of the phone.

The other big change is a longer screen. According to 9 to 5 Mac, the screen of this new phone will be longer than the iPhone 4S but remain the same width, which will require a redesign of the iPhone user interface.

A taller screen, huh? It seems Apple is following the trend of flat smartphones with large screens seen in the Samsung Galaxy series, the HTC One X and, of course, the Galaxy Note. This is opening up a whole new direction for smartphones in the apps world - here at PopSci we’re very sure you’ll be seeing console style gaming on large-screened phones in the next few years as apps become much more sophisticated. Call of Duty on the train ride home? We’re all for it.

[9 To 5 Mac]