As tablet launch draws near, spare parts begin to leak

Dec 27, 2011 10:40 GMT  ·  By

iPad 3 parts have begun floating around in masses, according to one report that offers a comparison between the iPad 2 home button and the iPad 3 counterpart. Apparently the newer hardware is smaller, perhaps to accommodate the rumored thicker Retina display.

The image you see above (click for front view also), courtesy of 9to5mac, indicates there will be at least a slight aesthetic change in the iPad 3.

The smaller form factor may suggest the necessity to make room for something else, according to the blog. The leaked hardware, available in both black and white colors, also acts as evidence that Apple will have two iPad flavors on launch.

The existence of these parts also means the iPad is not losing its home button, as rumored some while ago.

As you will also notice, the gray square with rounded corners is slightly thicker on the iPad 3 home button, when compared to the one on the iPad 2.