iPhone 5 was skipped in favor of iPhone 4S, source claims

Numerous rumors from recent months stated that Apple had indeed developed a prototype for the iPhone 5, before finally abandoning the profile in favor of the iPhone 4S.

However, a source cited by Business Insider claims that the smartphone did exist in a prototype form and that he actually spent about two weeks with it.

The insider claims Steve Jobs bottled the handset just months before Apple was going to announce it because he was unhappy with the fact that the device had a 4-inch screen, larger than prior iPhones, which he thought would “fragment” the company’s iPhone line.

The source also reveals some information that seems to confirm previous rumors that talked about a break in the traditional design of the iPhone.

According to the insider, the iPhone 5 is said to have a new design, including a 4in screen and an aluminium back, like the iPad 2. The device might also feature a touch-sensitive home button as opposed to a physical press button.

Other characteristics included a 10 megapixel camera and a much slimmer design, more similar to that of the iPod Touch.

Also, the processor was said to be much faster than the iPhone 4 but the power management was still not effective.

For now Apple has not confirmed the information.