Apple has made plenty of big changes to the iPhone over the years, but there are rumors that we could see something really different when they launch the new iPhone 15 (or whatever they end up calling it). In addition to the expected 64-bit processor, next-gen camera and iOS 7 software, there’s speculation that we could get an iPhone with a rounded back instead of the flat design we’ve seen in the past three generations of Apple’s flagship smartphone.

The current state of affairs

Rumors and speculations are already abuzz with what could be on offer with the next iPhone, but there is one rumor that seems to have more credence than others: iPhone 15 may come with a curved back design.

Earlier this year, a patent filed by Apple in China surfaced online, which showed a device with a curved back. This was then followed up by a couple of leaked images of what is said to be iPhone 15's rear shell. They also show an iPhone that has rounded edges at its corners and curves at the top and bottom edges. If these leaks are accurate, it would mean that the upcoming smartphone would indeed sport a design similar to the previous generation of iPhones - such as iPhone 5c - in lieu of the typical flat backs found on recent models.

The reason why we're so excited about this possible feature is because having rounded corners provides better protection against drops. According to research conducted by SquareTrade, cases made from polycarbonate (the material used for many budget phones) do not perform well when dropped from waist height onto concrete surfaces; they shatter into tiny pieces.

The new design

iPhone makers have long been accused of mimicking themselves, and with a steady stream of iPhone releases over the last decade, it's not surprising. But when we see leaked photos of a new iPhone that has more in common with last year's iPhone 5c than this year's iPhone 6s, it's hard to believe that Apple is really doing anything new.

The latest leak comes from Weibo user @kuo_zhengyuen who claims to be a reliable source. According to him, these are images of what could be next year's iPhone 15 (or whatever they're calling it) which he says will have rounded edges and a protruding rear camera like on the iPhone 5s. Of course, none of this should be taken as gospel truth just yet, but given how many iPhone leaks there have been lately, it seems likely that something major is brewing at Cupertino.

The features

Rumor has it that Apple's next iPhone iteration will be branded the iPhone 15. And though there's no word on what could be different about this smartphone, one new feature has been rumored: a rounded back. We've seen this on other phones in the past, including Samsung's Galaxy S5 and LG G3, so it doesn't seem too far fetched that Apple would want to do something like this to their latest release.

The curved back can make using your phone more comfortable, as well as making it easier to grip since your fingers aren't being pressed against sharp edges. Also rumored is that the iPhone 15 will come in a variety of colors - including gold - which is something we haven't seen from Apple before.

What's interesting is that you might not have to buy the most expensive version of the iPhone 15 (though who knows if it'll even have a less expensive option) if you don't want to. You could also choose just a single color rather than getting multiple versions, like with the iPhone 5c and its five color options.

The release date

The iPhone 5s was released on September 20th, 2013 and it came with a fingerprint scanner. This is a great way to make a phone more secure and allows the person who owns it to unlock it quickly by just placing their finger on the home button. The downside of this feature is that you have to touch your phone with your fingers which can be smudged and dirty. The iPhone 15 could sport a new design with a rounded back like that of the iPhone 5c.

This would allow users to place their finger anywhere on the back of the device to unlock it as long as there is not too much surface area covered up by dust, lint or other things that get stuck in between keys. Another advantage of the curved back is that it looks nicer than the flat design.

On one hand, we have phones such as iPhones 4 and 4S which are so popular because they are easier to hold because they are slimmer than newer models. On the other hand, we have phones such as iPhones 6+, 7+ and 8+ which come with larger screens but do not offer comfort for people with smaller hands.