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Rumored iPhone concept designs (pictures)

Before Apple released the first iPhone, a flurry of rumored concept designs circulated around the tech press. From the crazy to the plausible, CNET reviews the iPhones that could have been.

Kent German
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Kent German
1 of 13 CNET

The unfortunate Rokr E1

In late 2006, as speculation over the impending launch of the first iPhone sent the tech press into a frenzy, everyone wondered what Apple's design department had up its sleeve. Predictions were rampant over what the handset would do and what it look like. And since Apple isn't a leaky ship, we could only guess on both fronts.

On December 20 of that year, I assembled this photo gallery of the most popular iPhone concept designs I had seen. They were just rumors, and we would find out all the handset's details once Macworld 2007 commenced three weeks later. But for a few days they were all we had.

So now, on the occasion of the iPhone's fifth birthday, I'm posting the slideshow again to offer you a look at what Apple's handset could have been. At the time some were plausible, and some were ridiculous, and none of them quite compared to what we got.

No, this first handset wasn't a concept design, but I couldn't leave out the infamous Motorola Rokr E1. Technically, it was the first iPhone when Apple CEO Steve Jobs joined Cingular execs to unveil it in September 2005. And wow, was it a hot mess.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone10.jpg
2 of 13 Rainmanbk

And Moto comes back for more

Motorola design rears its head again with this concept that featured a Rav3 V3-like keypad hidden behind a standard iPod design. Also notice the Cingular logo on the rear side. In late 2006, AT&T was in the midst of phasing out the Cingular brand.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone2.jpg
3 of 13 Ministry of Tech

Yuck!

Talk about ugly. This crowded concept had a large display, but the tiny keypad would have sent us over the side. Perhaps this is what Digg's Kevin Rose had in mind when he inaccurately predicted a slide-out keyboard.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone4.jpg
4 of 13 Cedric Ceucke

Just add a touch-screen

This simple concept just took an iPod and added a touch screen. Boring, yes, and a bit silly, but we'd take it if it meant we could have the numbers of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone5.bmp
5 of 13 Gizmodo

FliPhone

Yeah, we wouldn't flip over this design that features a quirky iPod click wheel and a laughable external display.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone6.jpg
6 of 13 appleiphone.blogspot.com

We get it, slider phones are cool

Slider phones were very popular at the time so we weren't surprised to see so many concepts with that design. The only problem was that most of them, like this one here, just slapped a keypad behind an iPod.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone7.jpg
7 of 13 Isamu Sanada

A trendy Apple?

True, the thin-phone insanity was beginning to die down as 2007 approached so you can forgive this concept somewhat. Apple, however, usually sets design trends instead of following then.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone8.jpg
8 of 13 appleiphone.blogspot.com

Nokia iPhone

This ridiculous concept featured a circular keypad surrounding an iPod click wheel. If you squint, you can almost see the Nokia 3600.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone9.jpg
9 of 13 appleiphone.blogspot.com

FaceTime, perhaps?

Yet another slider design, this concept showed a standard numeric keypad covered by a full video screen with an accelerometer.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone11.jpg
10 of 13 Michael from Liechtenstein

Department of dull

You knew right away that this concept was unlikely. Even at its worst, you'd expect more from Apple's creative types than this boring candy bar design.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone12.jpg
11 of 13 Isamu Sanada

Slide it inside

This slider concept parted in the middle to reveal a camera lens and a speaker.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iPhone.jpg
12 of 13

Candy apple

It's good things these didn't come to pass...unless you're at a toy store.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

iphone3.jpg
13 of 13 Engadget

A retro iPhone

Just kidding; this was just a joke. But you have to admit that it has a certain appeal.

Related story: Five years of the iPhone

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