Apple v. Samsung trial reveals a slew of early iPhone and iPad prototypes

While the Apple v. Samsung trial in San Jose has been high on drama, it’s also given us the best look yet at Apple’s early designs for the iPhone and iPad.

Apple designer Christopher Stringer, the company’s first witness in the case, showed off the designs during his testimony yesterday, ultimately revealing around 40 different iOS device prototypes, The Verge reports. Stringer wasn’t shy with his comments while on the stand, saying that Samsung “ripped off” Apple’s designs.

With the early designs, we can see elements of features that would eventually show up on the iPhone product line, like the bulbous rear of the iPhone 3G(S), and the minimalist design of the iPhone 4. Stringer said that Apple created “hundreds” of different models while designing the iPhone.

It’s a good thing some of these designs never saw the light of day. One of the early iPad designs shows a thick curved bezel on all sides, which presumably would have made it easier to hold, but ultimately makes it look like a a children’s toy.

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