This Leaked Photo Dispels New iPhone Rumors

Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) new iPhone is for a while been expected to sport a liquidmetal casing, which will accommodate a tapered, teardrop design. The new design would make the next-generation device both thinner and stronger than its predecessor. However, a SIM tray design has surfaced that is believed to be for the new device, and it suggests the new model could instead feature a box-like design similar to the iPhone 4S.

The SIM tray comes from parts vendor SW-BOX.com, which posted a picture of the part to its Twitter account and promised that it would equip the iPhone 5 with the SIM card tray holder. The part appears identical to the SIM tray for both the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S. If the SIM card tray holder is an iPhone 5 component, then the new device will not sport the rumored teardrop design.

The SIM tray’s straight edge could only match a device with flat, box-like sides like Apple’s previous smartphone models. An iPhone with tapered edges would require a SIM tray with a slightly rounded edge, similar to that found in the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

The tray also indicates that the new device may not feature the miniature nano-SIM card that Apple has been developing. That design is yet to be approved by competitors, and that’s not expected to happen by the time the next iPhone is released.

The technology giant has remained conservative with the design of its last two models. However, Apple lovers are hoping to see a new look for the iPhone, which is expected to make its debut this October.