Volvo makes luxury cars. Awkward to see in writing, I know. But one of Volvo’s latest offerings redefines what it means to have that Volvo logo, up front on the grille. Volvo’s new XC90 is the company’s second-generation luxury SUV. The new XC90 runs on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture which is a modular chassis developed by the company. The XC90 contains the very best of what Volvo has to offer in terms of performance, styling, safety, and tech.
Let’s start off with performance. The XC90 is no slouch for an SUV, delivering 316 horsepower from its supercharged, and yes, also turbocharged 2 liter engine coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. With the power you can feel inside the SUV, the XC90 would definitely not lead you to believe it had a 2 liter engine underneath as Volvo managed to eek out maximum performance from this highly-tuned piece of machinery. A truly remarkable feat that can only really be enjoyed inside the cabin. The ride you get with the XC90 is quite configurable, with adjusting the steering as easily available as adjusting the seats. This demonstrates the fun, playful side of the XC90, as well as the performance seeking “naughty”, other side. Continue Reading
It’s a brand new year, which means brand new Apple Products. The iPad Air 3 is rumored to be released at the first Apple Event of the year, most likely taking place on March 15th. The first cases and schematics started to leak late last week, and the team at SonnyDickson.com decided to share our thoughts on them.
As you can see, the iPad Air 3 combines the form factor of the iPad Air 2 with the features of the iPad Pro. The iPad Air 3 case shows that the same dual stereo speakers from the iPad Pro, however, we doubt the output levels of the Air 3 will match the iPad Pro due to the lack of internal space on the Air.
Another notable addition to the iPad Air 3 that was seen on the leaks is the addition of an LED flash. Even though taking photos with an iPad is slightly undesirable, lots of people still do it, so it makes sense for Apple to add a flash for improved low light shots. Continue Reading
Every other year, Apple comes out with their S line of phones. While these phones look almost completely the same from the outside, they bring major improvements internally. These improvements go on to be defining features for future iPhones. The 3GS brought video recording, the 4s brought Siri (which went on to be one of Apple’s biggest features across their product line), and the 5s brought Touch ID security. Once again, Apple has released an iPhone that looks almost exactly the same on the outside, but do the new internal features make this a radical step forward for the iPhone?
The design of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus is almost exactly the same as the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The iPhone 6s is one of the best smartphone designs ever. The edges of the device are rounded, there is not one hard angle on the main body of the phone, which makes it feel really good in the hand. The glass extends from the border of the screen and slopes down into the metal casing of the phone. The antenna bands extend over the sides over to the back, creating a rounded trapezoid shape on both the top and bottom of the back. The Apple logo is the main highlight of the back of the phone. It has been cut from a piece of polished stainless steel, and then inserted into the cutout in the casing. This creates a two-toned transition between the sand blasted aluminum and the polished stainless steel. One problem with last years design was the use of series 6000 aluminum. This, unfortunately, made the extremely thin iPhone 6 and 6 Plus susceptible to bending. This has been fixed in the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus with series 7000 aluminum. Pure aluminum is now mixed with zinc and magnesium, which creates a very strong alloy. Another material upgrade is the dual ion-exchange glass, which is the most durable glass used on a smartphone ever. Rose Gold joins the existing Space Grey, Silver, and Gold. I would describe this color as a metallic peach more than Rose Gold, but I still like the color regardless. Continue Reading
Motorola recently has been creating some really impressive low and mid-range phones. Starting in 2013 with the original Moto X, they have tried to perfect the ideal Android smartphone that doesn’t break the bank. Motorola almost got the formula right back in 2014, however lackluster battery life and cameras made it hard to compare the phone to flagships such as the iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy. So the question is, does the 2015 Moto X Pure Edition perfect the mid-range smartphone?
The design of the 2015 Moto X reflects the newer design language that Motorola applies across all of their phones. The swooping lines and curved back make it really easy to hold the phone. These details actually look more inviting and friendly than some other phones that use straight edges. The structure of the phone is made of anodized aluminum and this makes the Moto G feel really solid. The back plate can be customized to use plastic, leather, or wood, and the leather and wood options add a bit of class to an already handsome phone. The two major design changes over previous versions of the Moto X are, first, the camera trim, which has been redesigned to be a little less intrusive and second, the bigger screen. The screen got a sizable bump from a 5.2 inch Full HD AMOLED to a 5.7 inch Quad HD LED display. While the screen is nice, it’s not anything special, however the colors and clarity are perfectly fine for the price. Continue Reading
Samsung introduced the world to large screen phones branded as “phablets” back in 2011. While many people didn’t think this approach to phones would work in the long run, it actually did. Now if you look around in the phone market, you rarely find a phone that has a screen less than 4.5 inches. In 2015, most phones have the large screen that was once the Note’s biggest feature. So, the big question is: “Does the Note 5 still have the competitive edge in a large screen world?”
When I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S5 back in 2014, the one thing that stood out to me was just how horribly designed Samsung phones were. The plastic design was actually the focus of a lot of negative reviews directed at Samsung phones before this year. Samsung picked up on this and completely redesigned their handsets to incorporate premium materials, such as metal and glass. The result is a beautiful phone that feels solid in the hand. The front of the phone looks similar to other Samsung phones, but the real design marvel is the curved glass on the back. The back glass not only looks amazing, but it also creates a more comfortable surface to hold. The chamfered edges on the side of the metal enclosure look nice, but, just like the iPhone, do not hold up to long-term wear and tear. Continue Reading
The OnePlus 2 is a paradox. On one side, it is a phone that compares itself to flagships like the Galaxy S6 or the iPhone 6. Conversely, the OnePlus 2 is half the price of those very same phones. The OnePlus 1 was a wildly popular phone in 2015, so the question is: “Does the OnePlus 2 have what it takes to be the 2016 flagship killer it claims to be?”
The design of th OnePlus 2 isn’t very exciting. The main frame of the phone is made of aluminum, a material now commonly used on flagship phones. This design decision makes the OnePlus 2 feel really solid, it’s unbelievable that this phone costs less than $400. The phone comes with a removable plastic back that features a rough matte finish that feels somewhat like sandpaper. This texture actually gives you more grip and prevents you from dropping your phone. If the matte black finish isn’t your style, OnePlus will sell you a different back, including a real wooden one, for $27. Continue Reading
Last week, we gave Lew from UnboxTherapy an unreleased iPhone 6s back housing. If you missed Lew’s findings, here is a recap
Just like rumors suggested, the iPhone 6s casing is slightly taller, wider and thicker. Some people suggested that this minor enhancement was to accommodate the hardware needed for Force Touch, but it actually might be more than that. The iPhone 6s casing measures 138.26mm by 67.16mm (versus the 138.09mm by 66.91mm iPhone 6), so the iPhone 6s has become slightly taller and wider. A bigger change is the internal strengthening of the casing, Apple has actually increased the thickness along the power and home buttons up from 1.14mm to 1.9mm. These changes make the iPhone 6s casing as a whole a lot more rigid than the iPhone 6 casing.
As promised, we are back this week with a much more in-depth look at the iPhone 6s back casing.
Not only has Apple physically strengthened the iPhone by adjusting dimensions, they also use a new grade of aluminum to make it even stronger. The iPhone 5 through iPhone 6 used a grade of aluminum from the series 6000 family. Now, they have upgraded to the same alloy found on the Apple Watch Sport, series 7000 aluminum. Apple describes why they chose this alloy for the Apple Watch Sport on their website: Continue Reading
The Ford Mondeo has certainly taken a long time to be released to the public. It was first previewed back in late 2012 to be released soon after, but due to several delays, it actually took until the 2014 model year to be released in the European markets. So, how does the 2015 Ford Mondeo stack up to it’s other mid-size competitors, and was the long delay worth it?
The Ford Mondeo has matured a lot since the previous generation. The exterior and interior design has been completely revised compared to the older Mondeo, and for the most part, these are really welcome improvements. The Mondeo is, for the most part, almost indistinguishable from the 2012 United States Ford Fusion, which could be a good or a bad thing depending on ones taste. Like most of Fords lineup, the Mondeo shares elements with other Fords, like the Focus. The front looks aggressive and sporty, and looks surprisingly similar to that on an Aston Martin. This gives the Mondeo the look of a much higher class of car. The back of the car looks a lot like the previous generation Mondeo, but more refined and less bulbous. The shape of the car is a lot more aerodynamic and is following its German competitors by looking more like a 4 door coupé than a sedan. This styling, combined with additional underbody panels and active grille shutters, contribute to a 10% drag reduction, which not only helps improve fuel economy, but also reduces interior noise.
The iPhone 6 was a massive success for Apple. The only minor problem it had was something dubbed Bendgate. Now, a year later we have a hands-on look at the iPhone 6s casing. What’s changed in the design, and do these changes help stop the iPhone from bending? We gave our good friend Lew from UnboxTherapy an unreleased iPhone 6s case to answer those very questions.
Just like rumors suggested, the iPhone 6s casing is slightly taller, wider and thicker. Some people suggested that this minor enhancement was to accommodate the hardware needed for Force Touch, but it actually might be more than that. Lew measured the iPhone 6s casing with a digital caliper that has an accuracy of .01mm. The iPhone 6s casing measures 138.26mm by 67.16mm (versus the 138.09mm by 66.91mm iPhone 6), so the iPhone 6s has become slightly taller and wider. A bigger change is the internal strengthening of the casing, Apple has actually increased the thickness along the power and home buttons up from 1.14mm to 1.9mm. These changes will most likely make the iPhone 6s casing as a whole a lot more rigid than the iPhone 6 casing, We will be providing more in-depth coverage in the near future, but in the meantime, if you want to see Lew’s video, check it out below! Continue Reading
Today we have an exclusive look at the iPhone 6s back housing. On the outside, the 6s casing looks exactly like the iPhone 6. Like all “S” release devices, the changes are mostly internal and the iPhone 6s casing is no different. The first thing that we noticed upon inspection is that the screw mounting posts are in slightly different locations, this most likely points to a new logic board in the 6s featuring an A9 chip. The other revision we noticed was the thickness of the metal around the volume and power buttons. Besides that, the case is very similar to the iPhone 6. Check out the pictures below and stay tuned for more part leaks in the future! Continue Reading
It’s time to take a look at some parts for the upcoming iPhone 6s. The first part that we have acquired is the display. The front of the display is almost identical to the one on the iPhone 6 except for one small detail, the front camera cutout. The camera cutout on the cover glass is slightly bigger than the one on the iPhone 6, pointing to a front facing camera upgrade this year. The major change to the display is on the back. On the upper portion of the EF shielding, there is a cutout allowing for some sort of sensor to pass through it. This is most likely a pressure sensor for force touch. Apple is rumored to be bringing force touch to the iPhone 6s this fall and is expected to use it to make navigating through iOS easier.
Our team also was able to get a look at several flex cables designed for the iPhone 6s. The first two are the lightning/headphone flex cable and the Touch ID sensor, both these parts are visually identical to their corresponding iPhone 6 flex cables. One change was the flex cable for the volume buttons and mute switch. On the iPhone 6s, the volume flex cable and the power flex cable have been combined into one part that features power, volume, mute and the secondary microphone. Continue Reading
LG is somewhat of an underdog in the mobile phone world. In a mostly saturated market, Apple and Samsung seem to be the ones that sell the most phones; however, the LG G3 was a solid competitor last year. So the question remains: does the LG G4 improve upon the G3, or is it just another phone that will fade into the shadows?
The design of the LG G4 isn’t very special and is actually a step down compared to other 2015 flagships. The whole phone is made of plastic, and nothing about it looks premium. The good news is this can be fixed by replacing the removable plastic back with the leather one, which can be purchased from LG for $69.99. One other design decision that is a bit odd is the placement of the volume and power buttons on the back. It isn’t very natural to use and requires some getting used to. However, don’t let one strange design decision deter you from buying this phone. Continue Reading
We’ve heard many rumors about Apple planning to add one more model to its current iPad lineup. This new iPad is being referred to as the “iPad Pro.” It’s expected to measure somewhere in between 12.2 to 12.9 inches, meaning it will be larger than the iPads currently available. We’ve been able to get our hands on some cases that claim to be made for Apple’s new tablet. The iPad Pro seems to resemble the current iPads with the addition of stereo speakers that are located on the top and bottom of the device. None of its other components such as the iSight camera and Touch ID button seem to have moved position.
We’ve heard rumors of the iPad Pro is being equipped with multiple ports just like some of the very early iPad 1G prototypes and as it seems the cases we have show that the iPad will in fact have two ports, one at the bottom of the device and one on its side. It’s still unclear whether they will both be Lightning ports or USB-C. Continue Reading
For my first car review, I thought it would be cool to try and dispel some old stigmas associated with car brands. In this case, Volvo. You see, in the past the word Volvo was always associated with the color beige, and taxes. It really didn’t make my heartbeat faster, or my pants any tighter that say an Audi, Benz, or Bimmer did. Volvo’s never really did anything for me, because I always felt that they were boring cars; not something that a young, lofty kid like me would ever be associated with.
The S60 Polestar is Volvo’s (mighty) attempt at a stylish, sport sedan that can take on the Germans head on; specifically the Audi S4, Mercedes C400 and BMW 335i. With it’s edgy, rebel blue paint job, oversized sport rims, and plethora of Polestar badges and logos, this hot Swede sure looks the part. This is certainly a Volvo that WILL NOT put you to sleep by its sight. It’s a proper, sport sedan without all of the “fluff” that we’ve become so accustomed to. There is a rear diffuser, 2 exhaust outlets, and a front splitter that actually do something! In the case of the front lip, it provides added down force to front, which assists in high-speed maneuvering. In no way does the exterior interject the performance that this car packs, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. It’s a perfectly executed sleeper. Continue Reading
Our friends over at Feld & Volk have provided us with some exclusive pictures of the iPhone 6’s logic board that confirm this year’s iPhone will be equipped with NFC. After two years of rumors claiming that the iPhone 5 would be equipped with NFC, the iPhone 6 will finally receive it.
The photo below shows us the iPhone 6’s motherboard, equipped with chips such as the AVAGO and the Apple A8 chip which is said to be 2GHz dual-core 20nm 64-bit A8 CPU and much faster and smaller than the 1.3GHz 28nm A7 chip. Continue Reading
A big misunderstanding broke out last night when I published a tweet saying the following.
There are about 200 security officers trying to catch those who dare to sell i6 accessories.
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) May 30, 2014
Let me straighten things out.
In HUA Qiang North Market, the heart of Asia’s electronics market, there is a building called YuanWang Digital Mall.
There are dozens of iPhone 5 & 6, iPads, and Macs. These units are either real or fake. The real units and all their accessories are being showcased and traded throughout that mall, and later sold and distributed around the whole world. Almost all the goods there are smuggled goods from HK, due to 17% tax at China customs, so smuggling to avoid the high tax is very profitable.
On May 27th, Shen Zhen Customs (Shenzhen anti-smuggling governing body), and Hua Qiang street authorities stormed the YuanWang Mall to try to catch some of those smugglers and whoever was rumored to sell Apple/Samsung/Nokia/etc units, or fake Apple/Samsung/Nokia units. More than 120 government officials are involved in this operation. Continue Reading
Recently, pictures of the iPhone 6 Mockup have been circulating throughout the web. I’ve gone ahead and compared the mockup to older generations of the iPhones and the iPod Touch 5G, as well as the HTC One M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5. As you can see, the iPhone 6 represents a large jump in screen size compared to previous generations. Apple has decided to ditch the sharp, angular lines of the 5 and 5s and replace them with a more friendly, curved body. The iPhone 6 is also smaller than both the HTC One M8, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S5. Continue Reading
If you’ve been keeping up to date with the latest iPhone 6 news, you’ve probably already seen Unbox Therapy’s iPhone 6 – How Thin? video.
We’ve gone ahead and compared the purported iPhone 6 cases to the current iPhone 5S and the iPod Touch 5th generation. As you can see in the video and in the images below, it seems like the next gen iPhone will have a similar design to the current iPod Touch. It will be much thinner than the current iPhone 5S, the sleep/wake button will be moved to the side, and as reported by trusted sources, the iPhone 6 will feature a larger 4.7-inch display with 1,704 x 960-pixel resolution.
Take a look at the pictures below and tell us what you think. Will you be waiting in line for the iPhone 6? Continue Reading
With the “iPhone 6” quickly approaching, amid many rumors of a larger screen coming to the device (from a variety of sources with varying credibility), we’ve got our hands on some of the first cases designed for the new device!
While it’s true that anyone could make a case and claim it’s for an “iPhone 6”, the source who produced this case has an excellent track record. We’ve also got some exclusive information coming soon that should make you offer this case more than just a passing glance!
Check out this excellent analysis of the new case, which we provided to Unbox Therapy for their official YouTube channel – his insight on the case, especially in relation to the iPod touch, is spot on!
Stay tuned to SonnyDickson.com for the latest developments – this is merely the first wave of a massive new series of exclusive reveals! Continue Reading
We’ve heard numerous amounts of rumors about Apple’s next-gen iPhone, the iPhone 6. We’ve gotten our hands on some great photos of the iPhone’s rear casing in Space Grey– and just as always, it looks absolutely astonishing.
As some rumors suggest, the screen will in fact be bigger. The design will be like a cross between the current iPad Air and the iPod Touch. As shown in the pictures below, it will be definitely thinner than the current iPhone 5S. I’m not 100% sure this is the real back housing, but I’ll be updating it as I get more information regarding it. Continue Reading
There’s been a leaked document floating around showing off Samsung’s latest Galaxy device, the Galaxy S5. This design has been sent to companies to create cases for their upcoming device.
As mentioned above, this is an official document meaning the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be as displayed in the picture. The phone will have a 5.25-inch display which is a little bigger than the current S4’s screen. Besides the small changes in the screen size, it seems like Samsung has decided to keep much of the phone the same. The main design difference is the reduction of the roundness of the edges. This means that Samsung is moving away from their “pebble” shaped phones, and replacing them with more utilitarian designs. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is expected to be released on Feb. 24, but until then, stay tuned for more info! Continue Reading
I have been quite silent on technology since the launch of the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c. 2013 was a great year with technology but 2014 will be much better. As you know, I’m more interested now in fashion and cars, but doesn’t mean I will completely abandon the technology scene. I am still an Apple enthusiast, and am hoping to bring you sneak peeks every now and then of their latest products.
With the dawn of a new year will come the dawn of a newer, stronger, more diverse version of SonnyDickson.com. Just as one year evolves into the next, we also have evolved – and I think you’re really going to love the results of that evolution.
Technology is changing, as always – it’s one area of human development that’s guaranteed to change, often so quickly that it leaves even technology veterans’ heads spinning. New products are being developed, some will be leaked and some you will see here. Continue Reading
We had a pretty great year in 2013, at least as far as Apple-related leaks are concerned. Many of our photographic part leaks represented the first time the world had truly gotten a look at Apple’s new iPhone and iPad designs for 2013. To sum the matter up, we’ve broken down each of our leaks by category – First iPad, and then iPhone – to show you how we did.
Towards the end of 2013, Apple released the iPad Air and the iPad Mini with Retina. A month before iPad Air’s official release, I had received a couple of pictures of what was said to be the shell of the unreleased iPad Air. Its design was much similar to the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini was also shown two months before its released. I was able to get some pictures of its shell in Space Gray.
Here’s the full breakdown, month by month. Continue Reading
We’ve already seen numerous leaks of various next-gen iPad hardware, but much of it has been relatively low quality up to this point. We’ve gotten our hands on a number of sharp high-res images of the Space Grey 5th-gen iPad casing and front panel. Notably, it shows off the highly anticipated slimmer iPad-mini like design it is expected to launch with. We have also compared the Space Grey 5th generation iPad shell to the silver one for comparison. The design differences compared to the 4th generation are both apparent and extremely welcome, and we can’t wait to get our hands on one in person. Take a look at the full gallery below, and let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments! Continue Reading
We’ve already seen numerous leaks of various next-gen iPad hardware, but until now, we haven’t gotten a serious look at the new color options for the upcoming 2nd-gen iPad mini. We’ve gotten our hands on some great photos of the new iPad mini’s rear casing in Space Grey (introduced with the iPhone 5S) – and just as we imagined, it looks absolutely incredible.
As expected, it also shows off a design extremely similar to the current iPad mini, suggesting that most of the changes will happen to the device’s internal hardware rather than its physical design. One interesting design revision is the removal of the “polished on” Apple logo. This method has been replaced by a polished insert that fits in a cutout of the case. Take a look and see for yourself! Would you buy an iPad mini in Space Grey? Let us know in the comments!
Continue Reading
What we have here are leaked images of the iPhone 5C logic board. The 5C is expected to be Apple’s budget model, sporting similar specs of the iPhone 5 but in a plastic shell. The logic board is slightly smaller than the one found inside the iPhone 5, but it does line up with the screw mounting points found inside the iPhone 5c shells that we have featured on our site previously. The slightly smaller logic board might point to a slightly bigger battery.
The leaked images look a lot like the leaked logic board said to belong to the iPhone 5s. Apple is expected to announce their new iPhones September 10th.
We’ve already seen numerous leaks of various next-gen iPad Mini hardware, but much of it has been relatively low quality up to this point.
We’ve gotten our hands on a number of sharp high-res images of the 2nd-gen iPad Mini casing and front panel. Notably, it shows off small design differences compared to the first generation iPad mini.
Take a look at the full gallery below, and let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments!
While we’ve already seen numerous leaks of various next-gen iPhone hardware, one thing that hasn’t been seen is the home button. While a pair of pictures made the rounds earlier today, all of the images so far have been fairly poor in quality. It’s time to fix that.
We’ve gotten our hands on dozens of sharp high-res images of the iPhone 5S home button hardware. Notably, the sensors and flex cable bear a remarkably different design when compared to the iPhone 5 home button – and even previous supposed 5S part leaks.
While the design differences have yet to be technically assessed, they could have a whole lot to do with the rumored biometric fingerprint scanner that numerous pundits and analysts have predicted. In fact, we’d count on it.
Take a look at the full gallery below, and let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments! Continue Reading
For the first time ever, Apple is expected to release four separate color options for their next-gen iPhone when they unveil the device at their September 10th media event. However, with more choices than ever before, many may find it more difficult than ever to choose their favorite.
Between the new “champagne” option, with it’s subdued golden hue, the “graphite” version with its sleek, modern high-contrast palette, and the familiar silver & white and black & slate options, users are presented with a very daunting decision indeed. We think they all look fantastic!
We already know the gold iPhone 5S looks great – our previous photos bear record of that quite adequately. But we’re never satisfied with “good enough” at SonnyDickson
Take a look below, and let us know what you think by sounding off in the comments!
You’ve no doubt already seen our leaked rear shells for both the iPad mini and 5th-gen iPad as well as our exclusive images of the iPad 5 front panel. So, how can we make this even better? By comparing them side-by-side in high quality images, of course! Like before, this shell indicates that Apple will be bringing the iPad mini design language over to the full size iPad. This means that there will be slimmer side bezels, a less rounded design, and chamfered edges running along the perimeter of the device.
Take a look below to see how they compare “in the flesh”, and let us know what you think by sounding off in the comments! Continue Reading
Following yesterday’s leak of the front panel for Apple’s upcoming 5th-gen iPad, we’ve also managed to get our hands on the rear metal shell! This shell indicates that Apple will be bringing the iPad mini design language over to the full size iPad. This means that there will be slimmer side bezels, a less rounded design, and chamfered edges running along the perimeter of the device. Together, these images provide a great deal of perspective on what we can expect from the next iPad.
In the latest round of Apple part leaks, we just got our hands on the front panel for Apple’s 5th-generation iPad.
The part doesn’t feature many surprises. Indeed, it’s pretty much exactly what we’ve come to expect, featuring slimmer side bezels that resemble the iPad mini, which gives the glass panel an overall slimmer, more modern look. In addition to the slimmer side bezel that you see in the photo, it’s likely that the finished 5th-gen iPad will also feature a slimmer and lighter design than it’s predecessor.
As Apple continues to improve the technology behind their Retina displays to reduce the display bulk and power consumption, we begin to get a better idea of what their vision for a full-sized iPad might be for a while – there’s little doubt they would have opted for a design like this with their 4th-gen iPad had the technology been available and cost affordable at the time.
Take a look and the gallery below and see for yourself – this is just a small look at what we can expect from a future iPad! Continue Reading
Just when you thought we were only posting iPhone parts, we’ve just gotten our hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Screen. The photos have been given to us by a trusted source in China who has had access to device parts in the past. The display of the Note 3 looks to be slightly bigger than its predecessor. One other notable feature is the reduction of bezels on the side of the device, making this phone mostly screen with little distraction otherwise. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is rumored to have its screen increased from 5.5 inches to 5.7 inches. Stay tuned for more part leaks!
Just when you thought we were done with Apple part leaks, we’ve just gotten our hands on the iPad Mini 2 Back Housing.
As expected, the design doesn’t seem to vary significantly (or at all) from the original iPad mini design. In reality, the most significant change expected to come to the iPad mini 2 is a high-resolution Retina display. One notable design change over the previous generation is the removal of the “polished on” Apple logo, this logo has been replaced with a polished insert on the back of the casing.
Other changes will likely include a much faster Apple-designed processor, improved graphics hardware, and wider LTE support.
Up to this point, it has widely been reported that the iPhone 5S will only come in 3 colors: Gold, Slate, and white with silver trim. According to a new images we’ve obtained, however, it appears the iPhone 5S may also come in a 4th color – a grey or graphite color with a black trim. You can check out samples in the below gallery. This grey color could be more durable than the slate color, as the lighter the anodization, the easier it is to get to stick onto the aluminum. This new color could be Apple responding to the weak finish of the slate iPhone 5.
In addition, here are a few shots of the new grey color next to the gold iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5S screen assembly.
What are your thoughts? Would you buy a grey or graphite-colored iPhone 5S? Let us know in the comments!
Direct from our source in Apple’s Asian supply chain, we have an exclusive look at the iPhone 5s back housing in Champagne. On the outside, the 5s casing looks almost exactly like the iPhone 5 (besides the color and dual LED flash cutout). Like all “S” release devices, the changes are mostly internal and the iPhone 5s casing is no different. The first thing that we noticed upon inspection is that the screw mounting posts are in slightly different locations, this most likely points to a new logic board in the 5s featuring an A7 chip. Besides that, the case is very similar to the iPhone 5. Check out the pictures below and stay tuned for more part leaks in the future!
Just when you thought we were already up to our necks in iPhone part leaks, we’ve just gotten our hands on the red iPhone 5C. It’s just like the previous back housing leaks – except, of course, it is red!
A quick note on the red color. Many readers are saying the color seems more pink than it is red. This is true, but if you look at the launch of the 5th generation iPod Touch, the (PRODUCT) RED color looks like the same color, albeit more pink.
Could Apple launch the iPhone 5C as a (PRODUCT)RED edition?
We’ve leaked iPhone 5C shells. We’ve leaked iPhone 5S shells. And now, direct from our sources within Apple’s supply chain, here they both are side by side, along with additional parts to add to the excitement!
You’re looking at our most extensive iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C part leak yet, with a variety of ribbon cables and components, including the entire intact casings, vibration motor, audio jack, SIM trays, the front and rear cameras, the mounts to attach all of the components to the casing, and more. Nearly everything except the logic board – even the screens!
Make of it what you will – this is the proverbial jackpot of iPhone hardware leaks. One thing’s for certain. September 10th cannot come fast enough! Continue Reading
Earlier this week, the Apple “blogosphere” went ablaze over the possibility of a black color option for Apple’s upcoming lower-cost iPhone, referred to by most as the iPhone 5C. The report, which included images of a supposed black iPhone 5C rear shell, originated from Chinese social network Weibo user Ban base de mango (as reported by PhoneArena, and again at BGR).
The photos that accompanied the report (pictured above) even pictured the black rear shell next to Apple’s current iPhone 5. Unfortunately, while the pictures and accompanying tall-tale of a “news report” might seem interesting at first, there’s a tiny little problem with the report as a whole: it’s completely false.
We can exclusively confirm that not only will Apple not offer a black color option for the iPhone 5C when it is expected to go on sale next month, but in fact, they never planned a black color option in the first place. Continue Reading
You’ve seen most of these iPhone 5C parts leaked separately – now see them all in one place in one super-gallery of assorted leaked parts! In this gallery, you can see the red, yellow, green, blue and white iPhone 5c rear housings. If you are planning on buying one of these when it’s announced, feel free to use this guide to compare the colors so you don’t have to ask yourself that question on pre-order day. Not much more can be said about this collection. Enjoy!
Following the seemingly limitless number of iPhone 5C prototype pictures we’ve obtained and posted for your viewing pleasure, we’ve gotten our hands on something a little more interesting: A detailed hands-on video of a yellow iPhone 5C back housing! Not only does this further drive home the idea that the 5C will come in multiple colors – it also adds to the already vast amount of confirmation about the device’s design.
On the plastic backing, we find the expected cutouts for the headphone jack, camera and LED flash (which seems to be all-but-confirmed as a single-LED flash rather than a dual-LED flash).
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 5c alongside the iPhone 5s on September 10th. Check out our exclusive video below – and as always, feel free to sound off with your own thoughts and opinions in our comments! Continue Reading
We have come across some clear photos of the volume buttons from the upcoming iPhone 5C. In the photos you can see the volume buttons alongside the power button and mute switch. These buttons have a similar shape to ones found in the iPad mini and the 5th generation iPod Touch, pointing to a design that looks similar to those devices.
The photos have been given to us by a trusted source in China who had had access to device parts.
The 5C will launch in a variety of colors including green, yellow, red and blue; as seen in the images. Is color variation enough to get you interested in Apples first attempt at a budget device? Continue Reading
Just when you thought we were already up to our necks in iPhone part leaks, we’ve just gotten our hands on the green back housing of the iPhone 5C. It’s just like the previous back housing leaks – except in green!
Apple’s always one to pay attention to even minor details – for instance, they’ve customized the color of the side volume buttons and mute buttons to better match the green shell.
Our full set of high-quality pictures of the green casing can be seen below. Enjoy – and don’t forget to comment if you have any thoughts of your own to add! Continue Reading
We’ve managed to get our hands on a rear housing part for the iPhone 5C in white directly from our source in Apple’s Asian supply chain. As you can see, the part matches up well with numerous leaks regarding the device dating all the way back to April. This back shell featuring a design similar to the iPhone 3GS, but flatter. The plastic shell is mounted on a stainless steel backplate as well, making it very ridged. On the bottom, you can see that Apple is using speaker and microphone grill layout similar to the one found in the 5th generation iPod Touch.
The white shell gives us the best look yet at the details of the iPhone 5C’s designs. We hope you find our massive gallery of images as enlightening as we did! Continue Reading
Deep inside the structure of Apple Inc, there is a small division called MediMac. Seemingly sounding like a repair shop for Macs, it is in fact quite a different beast. It is where Apple develops, tests and perfects all of their prototypes. MediMac is designed to assist the select few who are given Apple prototypes.
MediMac is more than just a help desk, once an idea has been conceptualized and given to hardware to make the components, MediMac takes over and plays an important role in the forming and building of the product. They are also there to provide internal support to the prototypes to those developing software for the device.
MediMac is said to be one of the most integral departments in the development stages at Apple. Even more interesting, executives having problems with the prototypes they are developing contact MediMac for support with their products. This includes the ability to contact MediMac from their home directly. Executives who create prototypes are also not allowed to test them without first signing them up with MediMac. Continue Reading
You’ve no doubt heard about Apple’s budget iPhone by now, widely referred to as the “iPhone 5C” by the media. You’ve undoubtedly read more rumors than you can shake a stick at, and endured more banter over the possibility than you can stand. Up to this point, it’s all been rumor and speculation, with nothing truly concrete to hold in your mind. Until now, that is.
How would you like to see what Apple’s rumored “budget” iPhone will actually look like for yourself? We’ve gotten our hands on what are almost certainly actual back housings meant for Apple’s budget iPhone. From the info we’ve received from reliable sources inside Apple’s supply chain, it appears that the device will be available in a variety of colors, and will be housed in a premium plastic casing.
Looking for a cool way to sneak your way into hidden settings in iOS? We’ve released a number of .mobileconfig files which allow users of non-jailbroken iPhones to enable certain debugging options which have previously been unavailable. These debug options are usually only available to Apple engineers and other Apple employees, and aren’t typically available for end users.
SonnyDickson.com readers aren’t typically end users, however – so we’ve decided to offer you access to these settings also (use at your own risk, of course)! The configuration files are available for Maps, Messages and FaceTime settings. When downloaded and installed to the device, they allow logging sessions to be created for each function. The logs can then be dumped, cleared or saved for later use, which could help in certain troubleshooting situations. Continue Reading
According to our sources, Apple had originally planned to incorporate what appears to be a second microphone in the recent version of the iPad mini.
The photo’s below shows the prototype iPad mini with an extra hole centered atop the rear of the device. It is unclear as to why Apple withheld the second microphone from the final product release, my guesses would be that it was axed out to cut down on cost, or to be preserved for a future generation iPad mini.
The current generation iPad mini only features one microphone on the the top of the device. Current generations of the iPhone have a second microphone that is used to improve audio quality during phone calls, shooting video, and using Siri, so it doesn’t make much sense for Apple to neglect that feature on the current generation mini. Continue Reading