IPhone rumors have returned! A report out South Korea says that Apple will be using their Liquidmetal alloy for the handset instead of glass, according to unnamed sources. ETNews also claims that the new model will be unveiled at the company’s annual worldwide developer’s conference, typically in June.

Apple accquired exclusive commercial rights to Liquidmetal in 2010. But they have used the alloy, which is described as a metallic glass or “amorphous metal alloy,” infrequently. The material is said to be stronger and more elastic than aluminum or stainless steel.

The worldwide developer’s conference was the site of every iPhone’s unveiling until last year’s iPhone 4S. This year’s installation has not been announced yet.

Josh Lowensohn at CNET gives an amusing rundown of how iPhone material rumors have evolved recently:

Last December, Boy Genius Report said that Apple would be using aluminum as the backing of the phone, just like it’s done on all three generations of its iPad. Before that, DigiTimes claimed the back of the device would “be changed to a metal chassis instead of reinforced glass.” Both rumors were preceded by a 9to5Mac report in March, saying Apple was making a move to metal instead of glass.

What do you think? Should the new iPhone try something new?

[via BGR]

Bookmark to: