Leaked prototype suggests Apple considered building a phablet in 2005

An image of an early iPhone prototype has surfaced on the web courtesy Ars Technica which suggests that Apple contemplated building a large ‘Phablet’ like device before the original iPhone was announced in 2007. This also means that Apple was dabbling with this idea way before Samsung released its industry leaking Note series of products that basically define ‘the Phablet’ category.

The image of the device was sourced through an ex-Apple employee who remained anonymous fearing retribution from the company. The device in question was 7-inches tall, 5-inches wide and 2-inches thick which is certainly, quite large by modern standards but back then (early 2000’s) it was quite an achievement.