Direct answer
This URL originally covered a 2011 rumor that Apple wanted thinner future devices. The final iPhone 5 was 7.6 mm deep and thinner than the iPhone 4S. The third-generation iPad was 9.4 mm deep, however, compared with 8.8 mm for the iPad 2, so that part of the rumor did not become true.
Key takeaways
- This is a restored historical URL, not current product news.
- Apple's final iPhone 5 specification lists a depth of 7.6 mm.
- Apple's final third-generation iPad specification lists a depth of 9.4 mm.
- Apple's iPad 2 specification lists a depth of 8.8 mm.
- The original page's thinner-iPad prediction was not borne out by the released hardware.
Legacy archive notice: PhoneBulk originally published a page at this URL on March 12, 2011. The old page discussed an unreleased-product rumor. This restored version preserves the URL and historical question but does not present the rumor as current news.
In 2011, thinner hardware was an obvious part of Apple’s design direction. The original PhoneBulk article discussed a patent for lower-profile audio connections and asked whether future iPhone and iPad models would become thinner than the products available at the time.
The products have long since shipped, so the question can now be answered with final specifications rather than rumor.
What happened after the original report
| Device | Final depth published by Apple | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 5 | 7.6 mm | Apple released a notably thinner iPhone |
| iPad 2 | 8.8 mm | Baseline used by the original comparison |
| iPad (3rd generation) | 9.4 mm | It was thicker, not thinner, than iPad 2 |
The iPhone portion of the prediction aligned with the released product. Apple’s technical specification lists the iPhone 5 at 7.6 mm deep.
The iPad portion did not. Apple lists the third-generation iPad at 9.4 mm, while the iPad 2 is listed at 8.8 mm. A thinner third-generation iPad therefore did not materialize.
What the 2011 page was actually reporting
The archived article was written before either product had final public specifications. It connected Apple’s preference for thinner devices with a patent describing a lower-profile audio plug socket. The article treated that patent as a possible way to reduce device thickness.
A patent can show a design direction or a problem a company is considering. It does not prove that a specific feature will ship in a named product. Restoring the page without that distinction would turn an old prediction into a misleading present-tense claim.
Why PhoneBulk restored this URL
Other websites still link to this address. Redirecting it to a current wholesale iPhone guide would keep the URL alive, but the destination would not answer the historical question in the linking context. That kind of mismatch can be unhelpful to readers and search engines.
The original path now provides:
- the historical publication context;
- the final outcome;
- official product dimensions;
- a clear update date; and
- links into PhoneBulk’s current buying coverage.
This page is not part of PhoneBulk’s current-news program. The site now focuses on verifiable wholesale-phone buying decisions.
Current iPhone buying context
Device thinness is rarely the deciding issue in a wholesale lot. Current buyers normally need model and region identity, carrier-lock status, Activation Lock, MDM enrollment, battery health, parts history, IMEI policy, and warranty evidence.
For those checks, use the current iPhone wholesale guide and the guide to global versus China phone versions.
Frequently asked questions
Was the iPhone 5 thinner than the previous iPhone?
Yes. Apple's final technical specification lists the iPhone 5 at 7.6 mm deep.
Was the third-generation iPad thinner than the iPad 2?
No. Apple lists the third-generation iPad at 9.4 mm and the iPad 2 at 8.8 mm.
Why is this old article still online?
PhoneBulk restored the original URL because other sites still link to it. The page now preserves the historical context and labels the final outcome using official specifications.
Sources and methodology
- Archived Phone Bulk article captured March 14, 2011 — Internet Archive Accessed August 22, 2026.
- iPhone 5 - Technical Specifications — Apple Support Accessed August 22, 2026.
- iPad 2 - Technical Specifications — Apple Support Accessed August 22, 2026.
- iPad (3rd generation) - Technical Specifications — Apple Support Accessed August 22, 2026.
Update history
- — First published. Official sources on this page were accessed on this date unless a later note says otherwise.
- — Substantive revision of the buying fields or source notes.
Factual corrections after publication are listed on the corrections page. There is no separate reviewer identity on this desk. See the editorial policy.