0 Was the iPad 3′s thicker case just pictured next to an iPad 2?

Some Apple product releases, the company manages to keep such a tight wrap on its products that nobody really knows exactly what we’ll hear when its execs take the stage. Take the iPhone 4S, for example. Most of the world was expecting a redesigned iPhone 5, but they were surprised on the day of the keynote to see what was basically a faster iPhone 4 with a better camera and Siri. Apple kept us guessing until the last minute.

The iPad 3 is not one of those releases. Though we expect some surprises, it looks like we know nearly everything there is to know about it. Unlike last year’s iPhone rumors, the iPad 3 leaks have been quite consistent. Now we have (supposed) photographic evidence to back up one of the rumors.
Several rumors have pointed to the iPad 3 being slightly thicker than the iPad 2, with a more tapered design. These images, of a case obtained by M.I.C.gadget, show us just that. Pictured with the iPad 2, the alleged iPad 3 case shows just what the rumors said it would: slightly more girth and more of a taper around the edges:


Another big change in this case is that the opening for the camera is larger. This suggests that the iPad 3 will also have an upgraded camera, which has also been bandied about the rumor mill. The camera in the iPad 2 is so underwhelming, though, that even a relatively low-res shooter would still be an upgrade. One previous “leak” said that the iPad 3 will sport an 8MP rear camera.

A next-gen Apple product getting thicker than its predecessor is unheard of. But there are good reasons for a slightly beefier iPad 3. This bad boy will supposedly have a 2048×1536 Retina display, a bigger battery (mostly to make up for the extra power that the display uses), and optional LTE. That Apple could cram all of that into a case that only barely out measures the case of the iPad 2 is an impressive feat.
The iPad 3 is rumored to be unveiled at an event on March 7, though that isn’t confirmed as with all of these rumors. It’s also possible that the pictured case is bogus, and was cooked up by some eager to cashin “supply chain sources.” But we wouldn’t  bet on it.

Was the iPad 3′s thicker case just pictured next to an iPad 2? 9out of 10 based on 100 ratings. 9 user reviews.