iPad 5: Front Panel Allegedly Leaks as Apple Preps for Release

A new photo appears to show the front of theiPad 5 with a very small bezel on the side of a 9.7-inch display.

The alleged iPad 5 photo is the second time we’ve seen what may be the front panel of the new iPad and the new leak appears to match up with the earlier photo which showed a front view of the same part in white.

This latest photo shows what may be the iPad 5 front touch panel with narrow bezels on the sides and a new connection setup to fit the smaller design.

Apple.pro posts this photo which it appeared on the hihiapple PhotoBucket account this week. The photo matches up with rumors of an iPad 5 that looks like the iPad mini.

An alleged iPad 5 front panel shows a smaller bezel and connection changes to fit a new design.

Many iPad 5 leaks point to a new design that shares the look of the iPad mini. Most of the iPad 5 leaks we see are from case makers who are making cases based on leaks, but like the first alleged iPad 5 front panel leak this appears to be an actual part for the iPad 5.

We cannot verify the authenticity of the photo Apple.pro did leak a photo of the iPhone 5 front panel showing a centered FaceTime camera months before the iPhone 5 release in 2012. The publication was not correct with leaks about the iPad mini with no camera and an iPhone 5 with NFC support. On an interesting note, the iPhone 5S is rumored to ship with NFC and there is chatter about acheaper iPad mini with no camera.

When compared the front panel for the iPad 4, shared by iFixit, the photo shows a connector that is now on the bottom of the panel near an opening for the home button.

Compare the leaked photo to this iPad 4 front panel which features larger bezels and a connection on the side.

When looking at the two photos, it is clear how much smaller the alleged iPad 5 front panel’s bezels are. If this is the case, we expect that it is a new touch panel that is built into the front panel of the iPad 5, like the iPad mini. This allows for a thinner device.

The latest iPad 5 rumors suggest we will see a release this fall, after the iPhone 5S. One source claims the iPad 5 release is set for October. Even with all these part leaks we don’t expect that Apple will show off an iPad 5 at WWDC on June 10th.