iPhone 5 Release Date: New iPhone Cases Spotted in AT&T Stores, Fueling Rumors

By Ray Downs, Christian Post Reporter Friday, September 30, 2011

Photos published online seem to show cases for the new iPhone 5 in AT&T stores, fueling speculation that the highly anticipated new model will indeed be released into the hands of the public just days from now.

Tech website NextWeb claims that the new cases are thin, teardrop-shaped, and made of silicone, which hints at a slimmer iPhone 5. The site also cobbled together various Apple rumors and predicts that "Apple is planning to release a low-cost iPhone 4-lookalike, the iPhone 4S, and the new flagship model, a slimmer and MacBook Air-like iPhone 5."

Popular Apple-oriented website, MacRumors, also got a hold of images of the new iPhone 5 cases in AT&T stores.

Rumors and speculations about the iPhone 5 and Apple's new designs have been running rampant over the last few months.

Modmyi.com said that many claim to have seen a number of iPhone 5 cases at various cell phone vendors, "which may or may not be true but the fact that iPhone 5 cases are being found in official carrier retail shelves makes it seem all the more believable."

Slashgear.com is betting that Apple will not let down fans with simply a low-end iPhone 4S, but will unveil a high-end, "radically" revamped iPhone 5, which will be made of aluminum and glass.

A computer designed mock-up of what the new iPhone would look like was posted on SlashGear.com, which shows the iPhone 5 with a large display that is a bit wider than the iPhone 4. It also has a teardrop profile that is thinner and tapered, the site said.

There are also expectations that the new iPhone 5 will have a wider home screen button that is touch-enabled, which would be a return to an aluminum back cover. There is also a relocated mute switch that is now at the top right, SlashGear said.