Legacy archive notice: PhoneBulk originally published a page at this URL on March 12, 2011. The surviving original is attributed to ahsandilshad; Frank Dean is the author of the 2026 restoration, not the 2011 report; the restoration was revised on October 8, 2026. Apple source access dates appear in the source list, separately from the original publication date.
The released products let readers compare the rumor with Apple’s published specifications.
What happened after the original report
Apple’s iPhone 5 specification gives 7.6 mm, compared with 9.3 mm in its iPhone 4S specification. The iPhone comparison was correct.
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
This address preserves the historical question and its eventual outcome. Read the surviving 2011 original for the contemporary rumor; this restoration uses manufacturer specifications, not a historical hardware test.
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 lists iPhone 5 at 7.6 mm deep and iPhone 4S at 9.3 mm.
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?
The restored URL preserves the historical question. This version distinguishes the original rumor from the released products using Apple’s 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 October 8, 2026.
- iPad 2 - Technical Specifications — Apple Support Accessed October 8, 2026.
- iPad (3rd generation) - Technical Specifications — Apple Support Accessed October 8, 2026.
- iPhone 4S - Technical Specifications — Apple Support Accessed October 8, 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.
- — Revised the restored archive to document the final thickness specifications and the rumor outcome; source access dates are listed separately.
Factual corrections after publication are listed on the corrections page. Editorial responsibilities and review methods are described in the editorial policy.
About the author
Frank Dean
Frank Dean researches manufacturer, standards, and trade documents for PhoneBulk, then turns them into accept / clarify / reject buying guidance for resellers.
- Source-backed wholesale research
- Claim-level fact review
- Separation of official rule and trade practice