New images add to iPhone NFC speculation

Images that purport to show the front assembly of the iPhone 5 have led to renewed speculation that the new Apple device, expected to be announced on 12 September, will include NFC.

Does this picture hint at the location of an NFC controller in the next iPhone?

The images, if authentic, indicate that the next iPhone will include a square component, similar in size to an NFC controller chip and protected by electromagnetic shielding. That component is new, according to Apple Insider and was not included in either earlier iPhones or images which circulated just a month ago — leading to speculation that Apple could have made a last minute decision to include NFC in the iPhone 5.

What do readers think? Could these pictures suggest iPhone NFC? Or a fingerprint sensor? Or a pixie-dust powered unicorn and rainbow generator? Share your views below…

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2 comments on this article

  1. I think this is just another overhype and misleading guess
    -NFC controller like NXP PN65 does not need metal shield
    -NFC controller doesn’t need to be separated but is usually placed together with other chips on motherboard
    -placement sensitive is NFC antenna, which should be much bigger as 5x5mm and placed as far from metal as possible, iPhone will have problems here if back cover will be completely metal based (liquid metal, alu, …).
    So let’s all cool down and wait for Sep, 11th (ops, +1) …

  2. Good points. Let’s add:

    – “Last minute” hardware change. Suuuure.
    – Magically finding space for a new component late in the day, added as an afterthought in a device where the maker has so far redefined the SIM card and now possibly changed its dock connector to save space.

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