Would you consider the iPhone 11 pro a redesign?
I could see an argument stating it is a redesign, but no, I would consider them too similar to be a redesign.
Same with the iPhone 8 compared to the 6, 6s, and 7. Another example would be the 5, 5s, and SE compared to the 5c. Plastic was used for the case compared to aluminum, but the overall phone remained unchanged in size and dimension.
I personally would separate the iPhone 2G from the 3G and 3GS, but can see a void argument why they should be grouped.
By your logic, the back of the phone has been redesigned as a single piece of machined glass and the different internals make it a new design. I think most people would agree that it shares its design with the X models.
Not the same thing, as they are very different.
Yes, they are rounded rectangles, and share some of the same aspects, but the 4 has a very different design.
Just take the side profile of the 5 versus the 4. The iPhone band frame is very pronounced and protrudes from the glass from and rear. You can see the both the front and rear panels of glass from side profile on the 4, but only the aluminum case of the side profile of the 5.
The feel of the two are very different, and would be really hard to confuse the two while in one's hand. On the 4, the ridges of the frame and where it meet the glass panels are very pronounced, not remotely the case of the 5.
The extra weight on the 4 is very noticeable, along with the extra thickness.
If it was just one or two of these differences, I could understand grouping them. Or comparing internals, I could understand grouping them. But, until recently, I never knew that anyone didn't consider the iPhone a redesign or form factor change.
I guess we all have our opinions, I was just curious as to why some people thought this.