# Transparent Apple Smartphones The Heir Apparent Cellphone Brings Clarity to the iPhone's Design By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-10-05 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heir-apparent References: [dvice](http://dvice.com/archives/2011/10/10-bold-iphone.php#2) & [ilounge](http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/gallery/image_med/15478/) The look of the [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-vision) has not changed drastically between generations, and while [Apple](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-clear-series) and its consumers might prefer it that way, the Heir Apparent concept provides a compelling reinvention of the popular handset. Examining this sleek [see-through cellphone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phone-3a-lite) by Robert Davis, one can find several familiar features that liken it to the typical iPhone aesthetic. Spatially the app icons are placed precisely where they would be within the touchscreen face of the smartphone, and so is the network status bar, the dock of frequently used functions and all of the hardware elements. Indeed, the button at the base, the receiver, microphone and the camera are each where you're used to them being, yet the Heir Apparent iPhone reveals no cross-crossing wires and pellucidly presents a crystal clear handset. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.8/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Transparent Smartphone Design:** Designing transparent smartphones that still have familiar features, such as app icons and hardware elements, could be a disruptive innovation for the smartphone industry. - **Reinventing Popular Handset Designs:** Heir Apparent concept shows the potential of reinventing the design of popular smartphones like the iPhone. - **Sleek Minimalist Aesthetic:** The minimalist and sleek aesthetic of the Heir Apparent cellphone, which seems to be heavily influenced by the iPhone design, could inspire similar design trends. ### Who This Affects Most - **Smartphone Manufacturing:** Transparent smartphone designs could be appealing to the smartphone manufacturing industry, inspiring a product line of transparent smartphones. - **Consumer Electronics:** Consumer electronics industry could benefit from reinventing popular smartphone designs, such as the iPhone, to offer something new to consumers. - **Technology Design:** Sleek minimalist aesthetic designs could become an area of focus within the technology design industry, and companies could explore ways of adapting this design within different products such as laptops and wearables. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Visible Component Smartphone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nothing-phone-1.md) - [Crystalline Tech Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-clear-series.md) - [Transparent Aluminum Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nothing-phone-2-concept.md) - [Dual-Display Smartphone Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-vision.md) - [Ultra-Sleek Smartphone Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-16-pro-concept.md) - [Chic Transparent Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-nothing-phone-1.md) - [Sleek Sliding Smartphone Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conceptual-iphone-14.md) - [Vibrant Sharp-Edged Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-brutal.md) - [Ultra-Slim Folding Smartphone Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-air-concept.md)