Top 10 Rare Apple Prototypes You've Never Seen

Apple is famously secretive about its unreleased products and prototypes. While the company only unveils polished, market-ready devices, a treasure trove of experimental designs often remains behind closed doors. Today, we're pulling back the curtain on ten of the most intriguing and obscure Apple products that never made it to store shelves. Even the most dedicated Apple aficionados might find some surprises here.

1. Early G4-Era iPad Prototype

Speaking of tablets, Apple didn't shelve the idea after the Newton. In 2002, a prototype resembling a chunky, white polycarbonate iPad surfaced. It fit right in with the design language of the iPod, iMac G5, and iBook of that era.Photo via BuzzFeed Tech // An Apple-designed XL-size tablet leaked in 2002, showing a much larger device than the actual iPad which Apple went on to launch in 2010.Photo via BuzzFeed Tech // The rare leaked iPad prototype wasn't just bigger, it was also much (much) thicker than the original iPad (iPad 1).

This device was thick—no doubt—but its minimalist design, devoid of excessive ports and slots, gave it a modern feel. It was part of Apple's early experiments with capacitive touchscreens, which eventually led to the development of the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010.

2. Bizarre iPhone Prototypes

The journey to the first iPhone was anything but straightforward. Apple experimented with a plethora of designs:

• Rounded black designs reminiscent of the iPhone 3G.
• Square forms with sharp edges, foreshadowing the iPhone 4.
• Tall, slender models that hinted at the iPhone 5's proportions.
• Even an octagonal prototype and another with a strange, rounded hump on the back.

Photo via Cult of Mac // Reminiscent of early 2000's smartphones, this early iPhone prototype would've definitely turned heads with its disctinctive design.Photo via Cult of Mac // This early iPhone prototype shows a unique rounded edge design.Photo via Cult of Mac // This early iPhone prototype shows a design similar to iPhone 4.

Some prototypes featured a sliding power button or a "MENU" label on the Home button. These experimental designs highlight Apple's iterative process—proving that for every iconic product, there are countless ideas that never make the cut.

3. The Apple Paladin

Fast forward to the 1990s, and Apple was experimenting with the all-in-one concept on a whole new level. The Apple Paladin was a bold attempt to merge a computer with a desk phone, scanner, and fax machine. With numerous buttons on the front, users could switch between functions seamlessly.Photo via Unlimit:Mac // The Apple Padadin, a prototype Apple computer that combined multiple products into a single, intuitive design.

Aimed at small businesses and individuals intimidated by the complexity of multiple devices, the Paladin was all about simplicity and integration. However, one can only imagine Steve Jobs' reaction to this gadget. The thought of him taking a baseball bat to the Paladin isn't too far-fetched.

4. The Giant Newton Tablet

Before smartphones took over, personal digital assistants (PDAs) like the PalmPilot were all the rage. Apple's entry was the Newton MessagePad, a device slightly too big for a pocket but innovative nonetheless. However, few know that Apple toyed with an even larger version—a tablet-sized Newton.Photo via Jim Abeles/Flickr // Apple secretly tested this tablet-size Newton device, but ended up scrapping the idea (likely due to poor sales with the original Newton).

With a screen comparable to a sheet of paper and hefty black bezels, this prototype was more of a desktop companion than a portable assistant. While the Newton struggled with early handwriting recognition, later models improved significantly. Had Apple continued developing it, we might have seen a tablet that predated the iPad by over a decade.

5. The Apple Jonathan Prototypes

Back in late 1984, fresh off the success of the initial Macintosh models, Apple was already plotting its next big move. Enter the Apple Jonathan, a code-named project envisioning a modular computer system. The idea was revolutionary: a bookshelf-like machine expandable through plug-and-play modules, each about the size of a hardcover book. Need more graphics power or additional storage? Just slide in a new module.Photo via Nicola D’Agostino // The Apple Jonathan prototype, an Apple computer that never officially launched.

The prototypes were ambitious, aiming to combine the approachability of the Macintosh with the expandability of the Apple II. The units were even designed in sleek black—a departure from Apple's usual aesthetic—to signify their professional focus. While the Apple Jonathan never saw the light of day, it foreshadowed the modular computing concepts we see in some systems today.

6. The Mac Mini iPod Dock

In the mid-2000s, Apple was keen on leveraging the iPod's success to boost Mac sales—a strategy they dubbed the "iPod halo effect." The Mac Mini was introduced as an affordable, bring-your-own-peripherals desktop. At one point, Apple considered integrating an iPod Nano dock directly into the Mac Mini's top.Photo via Cult of Mac // The Mac mini iPod dock, a rare Apple prototype.

Visually, it was a match made in heaven. Functionally, not so much. The concept raised practical concerns: What if you had a different iPod model? And let's not forget the unsightly hole left behind when the iPod wasn't docked. Rumor has it that Steve Jobs wasn't a fan of that particular design quirk.

7. The iPod Phone

Before the iPhone revolutionized the mobile industry, Apple flirted with the idea of an iPod-based phone. The logic was straightforward: the iPod was already a massive hit, so why not add calling capabilities? Prototypes featured the classic click wheel interface adapted for dialing numbers.Photo via Cult of Mac // The iPod Phone, another rare Apple prototype that leaked from Apple's secretive campus.

However, as former Apple VP Tony Fadell admitted, "It was terrible for dialing phone numbers." The iPod was fantastic for music playback but ill-suited for the multifunctional demands of a smartphone. This concept was eventually shelved in favor of developing a touch-based device—the iPhone we know today.

8. Rare Apple Watch Prototypes

Before the Apple Watch became the world's best-selling smartwatch, Apple developed several prototypes that never reached consumers. Collector Giulio Zompetti showcased early Apple Watch prototypes dating back to 2014. These devices were encased in bulky, brick-like security cases to disguise their appearance.Photo via Apple Demo // An early Apple Watch prototype. This black casing was used to disguise the original Apple Watch to look like an old smartphone.

One particularly intriguing prototype was hidden inside a casing resembling a candy bar phone, with only the touchscreen visible. These prototypes ran a pre-watchOS version of Apple's testing software and were marked with "Ultra" security labels, emphasizing their confidential nature.

9. The Elusive Apple Car

Perhaps the most ambitious unreleased product is the Apple Car, known internally as Project Titan. Over several years, Apple invested billions into automotive research, aiming to create a self-driving electric vehicle.

According to reports from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, early designs resembled a futuristic minivan with sliding doors and a glass canopy—akin to vehicles from the EV startup Canoo. Later prototypes were even more radical, featuring pod-like shapes, gull-wing doors, and interiors without traditional controls like steering wheels or pedals.Photo via Canoo // The Apple Car may have looked something like this if it ever launched, Mark Gurman says.

Apple envisioned a lounge-like cabin, complete with reclining seats and footrests. Despite the grand vision, the project faced insurmountable challenges, especially in achieving full autonomous driving. Earlier this year, Apple pulled the plug, and the dream of an Apple Car remains just that—for now.

10. Vintage Macintosh Prototypes with Twiggy Drives

A rare piece of Apple's history surfaced when a prototype of the original Macintosh from 1984 was set for auction. This Macintosh featured the notorious "Twiggy" 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, which was ultimately scrapped due to reliability issues. According to Bonhams Auction House, this model survived despite Steve Jobs ordering all pre-production units to be destroyed before the Macintosh's 1984 release.Photo via The Verge // In 2012, a rare Mac 128K prototype with Twiggy drive popped up for sale on e-commcerce site eBay.

The prototype includes unique accessories like a keyboard with a handwritten serial number and an Apple M0100 mouse with a distinct connector. It even runs an early, unfinished version of the Macintosh operating system, offering a glimpse into Apple's software development in its nascent stages.

Conclusion

These unreleased products feel like exploring an alternate universe of tech history. It's a testament to Apple's culture of innovation that they relentlessly pursued these ideas, no matter how unconventional. While we'll likely never get our hands on an Apple Jonathan or cruise around in an Apple Car, it's fascinating to glimpse what could have been.

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Flynn Lo Faro

Team Leader / Editor-in-Chief

Flynn has been covering technology for over a decade, with a deep focus on all things Apple. As the Editor-in-Chief of Apple Scoop, Flynn ensures the team delivers the most accurate and up-to-date information on Apple news, rumors, and product releases. His passion for tech journalism and editorial expertise guide the site’s vision and maintain its high standards.

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