Claimed iPad 3 Parts Continue to Leak as Rumored Release Draws Closer

As long ago as mid-July, the first claimed iPad 3 parts leaked with photos of a dock connector and ribbon cable. Since that time, at least one other claimed iPad 3 part in the form of a power button flex cable has also appeared.

ipad 3 microphone cable
Claimed iPad 3 microphone flex cable

Cydia Blog notes that a third iPad 3 part appears to have joined the leaks with the appearance of a microphone flex cable. All three parts are currently available through Chinese parts retailer TVC-Mall.com.

The new part, when compared with iPad 2, shows a different arrangement in internal circuitry, hinting a major re-design. The tail end of the part makes a “U-turn”, whereas the iPad 2′s Microphone Mic Flex Cable makes almost 90-degree turn both ways. Except for few details, the leaked part so far doesn’t offer a tantalizing tease.

But even major changes to the internal components of Apple's devices doesn't necessarily indicate significant changes to their overall appearance. For example, the internal design of many of the iPhone components changed with the introduction of the CDMA iPhone 4, which was actually a significant internal reworking of the GSM version. Most of those changes made for the CDMA iPhone 4 also made their way into the world-mode iPhone 4S without substantial differences among the three models visible from the exterior.

Apple's manufacturing partners are said to already be receiving display panels for the iPad 3, with an aim to begin assembly in January ahead of a launch in the following couple of months. The iPad 3 is said to offer a new "Retina" display offering twice the resolution of the current iPad in both the horizontal and vertical resolution, allowing for much sharper image quality.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
top stories 2025 03 29

Top Stories: WWDC 2025 Announced, iPhone 17 Pro and iOS 19 Rumors, and More

Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's big developer event is a little over two months away, and rumors about what we can expect to see in Apple's next major operating system updates are becoming increasingly frequent. A public release of iOS 18.4 is also imminent with a number of updates and improvements, although we won't be getting the major Apple Intelligence Siri upgrades that had reportedly been planned for this...
Magic Mouse Green

What to Expect From the Magic Mouse 3

Saturday March 29, 2025 10:15 am PDT by
Apple is reportedly working on a new Magic Mouse. Below, we recap what to expect. The two key rumors for the Magic Mouse 3 so far include a relocated charging port, along with a more ergonomic design. It was briefly rumored that the Magic Mouse 3 would also feature voice control, but that was misinterpreted information. Relocated Charging Port While the Magic Mouse switched from...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Expected Next Week - Here Are the Release Notes

Friday March 28, 2025 2:01 pm PDT by
With the second release candidate of iOS 18.4 that Apple seeded out today, the company finally provided us with release notes that give a full rundown on what to expect. There's an Apple Vision Pro app, new Apple Intelligence features for notifications and additional language support, plus an Apple News Food feature for Apple News+ subscribers, and several updates that should improve the...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Six Things to Know About Apple's Upcoming Foldable iPhone

Friday March 28, 2025 3:54 pm PDT by
We've been hearing rumors about a foldable iPhone for almost a decade now, but it looks like we might finally see the device come to fruition in 2026. We're going to be waiting many more months for the foldable iPhone, but so far we're hearing good things. Apple wants to make it creaseless. It's taken Apple multiple years to design a foldable iPhone that it's satisfied with because Apple ...
iOS 19 visionOS UI Elements

Apple Codename Provides Clue About iOS 19's Rumored New Design

Sunday March 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
Multiple sources have claimed that iOS 19 will introduce a new design with more translucent buttons, menus, notification banners, and more, and there is now another clue that points towards this glass-like appearance. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said the new design project is codenamed "Solarium" internally. A solarium is a room with glass walls that allow in plenty of sunlight, so this...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.4 comes two months after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. With...

Top Rated Comments

nagromme Avatar
174 months ago
So the iPad 3 (or whatever name) will continue to have a microphone. I knew it!

Take that, all you “no more mic in pad” naysayers!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrmjenkins Avatar
174 months ago
iPad 3 flex cable: I am a duck with a flamboyant tail.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2992 Avatar
174 months ago
;))

ok, let the (leaking) fun officially begin!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
marcusj0015 Avatar
174 months ago
And judging by your inability to read sarcasm, you Sir must be American!

... Americans rock sarcasm like no other... he's just an idiot.

----------

I'm actually interested in getting an iPad 3, because it's a major bitch to try to write on the iPhone, and ALL the good writing apps are iPad only. :/
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Piggie Avatar
174 months ago
You know how much of a disappointment this is going to be if it does not have the rumoured new screen.

The 2048x1536 screen res has been hyped up so much now, I do hope it's a reality.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wayfarer Avatar
174 months ago
First the iPhone 5 alleged parts, now THIS!

They all look the same to me. :confused:
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)