Phone 5 News Blog lead columnist Charles Moore reports on the subtle differences between the white iPhone 4 and its original counterpart.
The Japanese site Macotakra’s danbo reports that the white iPhone isn’t quite the exact clone of the black one save for the color change.
Specifically, danbo, based on what he’s gleaned from Twitter posts, says it appears that the white model’s camera lens and proximity sensor are different than the corresponding parts in the black iPhone 4. As he puts it, courtesy of Google Translation, “The sensor is similar, the magnitude of the incident light, in black and white are different in size,” and that from studying photo comparisons of the respective models it seems that the rear-facing camera lens is set farther back on the white iPhone 4 than on the black one.
These differences are probably not in aid of a performance tweak, but more likely have been required to address a stubborn light leakage issue that’s thought to have been the main reason why the white-un’s consumer release was delayed by nearly 10 months after the black model went retail. Even so, I’ve seen reports from white iPhone 4 users that even with the modified proximity sensor, its not as efficient at its job of blanking the screen when the phone is held up to the face as the black model is when screen protectors are fitted.
Of course, if you’ve been keeping up with the white iPhone in the blogosphere, you’re probably aware that there’s allegedly a more widely-known difference in the iPhone 4, to wit that it’s reportedly .02 millimeters thicker in section than the black model. That would be more or less inconsequential functionally, if the iPhone were not a product that a probable strong majority of users will want to protect in transit and storage with some sort of case, and in some instances a fatter white model may not fit in cases designed to accommodate the black iPhone 4, and that manufacturers of rigid case designs especially may have to release a separate case model to fit the white iPhone. That is, if the white iPhone really is fatter.
Consumer Reports say they compared a white iPhone 4 with a black iPhone 4 in their lab using high-quality calipers and found they were both the same thickness — the 9.3m (0.37 in.) that Apple specifies both black and white iPhone 4 models measure.
On the other hand, certain independent measurers are reporting the discrepancy, backing up their claims with what they say is photographic evidence. The precise reason for the evident difference is a matter of speculation. Apple (Phil Schiller again) has insisted that there isn’t one. it’s been suggested that the white coating itself and/or a UV inhibitor agent that’s been mentioned obliquely by Apple COO Phil Schiller, might have greater thickness. Paint and other coatings do have physical thickness.
Anyway, it’s prudent if you’re having difficulty cramming your new white iPhone 4 into your old iPhone 4 case to not try and force it as, you may risk scratching or cracking the iPhone’s enclosure or even breaking the glass back.
One operative question is whether the thickness difference, if it exists, will carry over to theiPhone 5, which presumably will be available in both black and white variants.
CAZE claims to have a case that
accommodates the new white iPhone 4.
In the meantime, one case manufacturer that’s been quick out of the blocks in getting a white iPhone 4 compatible case to market is CAZE, who have just released a new Polka Dot and Leopard/Zebra print case for white iPhone 4 in its Spring/Summer 2011 lineup.
The new CAZE collection for the white new phone includes two sets of products: the Duetto case-back Polka Dot and Duetto case-back Zebra & Leopard, featuring a changeable back plate structure and a matching home button sticker.
The Duetto case-back Polka Dot offers a black background with white polka dots back plate and a hot pink background with white dots back plate while the Duetto case-back Zebra & Leopard features a Leopard back plate and a Zebra back plate.
The case is a bit raised to protect the iPhone screen from scratching when laid on a flat surface. Each package comes with a bumper and two back plates and a home button sticker printed in fashionable Polka dots or zebra stripes and leopard spots. To ensure all-around protection, the package also comes with a free screen protection kit (front & back films) for added shielding.
Note: we have not tested the CAZE case, so we cannot independently verify their claims. But you are welcome to explore their site for more information. Click here to check it out.
