Unusual iPhone Prototype Indicates Apple May Be Experimenting with Revolutionary Haptic Button Technology.
The design used by Apple represents a mathematical figure that is formed when two disks of equal radius overlap, known in Latin as vesica piscis.
Apple uses a variety of test devices and prototypes to evaluate potential new features for the iPhone. Recently, an unusual prototype was discovered by a channel that published a video about it. This unique iPhone was retrieved from an electronic equipment recycling facility and is known as the "Vesica Piscis" iPhone.
What sets this prototype apart is the absence of the Apple logo, featuring instead a design resembling two crescent moons. This symbol has also appeared on other Apple products in the prototype phase, such as an early version of the AirTag. The figure used, known as vesica piscis in Latin, is mathematically represented when two circles of equal radius overlap, and it has had a significant impact across various disciplines, including architecture and art.
The device seems to incorporate elements from both the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro, but also includes components that do not belong to either of these models. When pressing the volume and power buttons, there is no tactile feedback, a feature that had been considered for the iPhone 15, although it was not realized. Instead of individual buttons, there is a single integrated volume button, accompanied by a modified SIM tray that is shorter than standard and secured with screws.
Engravings on the side of the volume button indicate that the device was in a prototype phase called "Ranger" and was used for field testing. Some internal components, such as the camera, are non-functional and seem to be merely placeholders, with a limited number of internal cables connected to the logic board. One cable connects to the charging port, while another links to the device's buttons. The layout of the logic board is unique, combining elements from the iPhone 13 Pro and 14 Pro.
When the device is powered on, it displays a message indicating that the microcontroller initialization has completed. When connected to a Mac, it is identified as "Bender," possibly in reference to the Futurama series. However, it does not respond to user input. The serial number information confirms that it was manufactured in May 2021, before the launch of the iPhone 13 Pro, but it does not appear to be a prototype of that model, as it would have already been finalized by that time.
On the other hand, the camera bump resembles that of the iPhone 14 Pro, suggesting that it could be a 14 Pro, although the combination of components makes precise identification difficult. It is suggested that this device is a test unit intended to evaluate experimental features, particularly haptic button technology.
