Never mind the fact that the iPad 2 hasn’t even left the launch pad yet (pun intended) -- the rumor mill is already moving on to the iPhone 5, which could replace the glass back with aluminum as well as feature a redesigned antenna to put the “death grip” to rest once and for all.

MacRumors is reporting that Apple may be abandoning the all-glass back from the iPhone 4 with the next model, returning to something more like the aluminum back casing from the original 2007 edition. The Economic Daily News report comes from a Chinese source, repurposed by GadgetsDNA with translation by Macotakara.

“Decision to design similar to iPod touch instead of using glass is supposed that Apple seems to stop problems which are told widely damages from scratching, difficulties of painting white and weight of glass,” the translated source explained.

Along with an aluminum back, the source also revealed that the antenna design which proved so problematic with the iPhone 4 may also be abandoned. Despite the advantages touted by Apple when the iPhone 4 was introduced, many quickly dismissed the improvements as PR speak when “Antennagate” sparked reports of a “death grip” when the handset was held the wrong way.

In addition to reports of the redesign, the source also proposes that Apple will feature the same A5 processor from the iPad 2 in the iPhone 5, which is expected to be announced in June or July.

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(Image courtesy of MacRumors and Macotakara.jp)