Photo of iPad 3 Rear Shell Suggests Minor Physical Changes, Larger Battery

ipad 2 ipad 3 rear shell

(Click here for larger version)

RepairLabs reports that it has received a photo of what is claimed to the inside of the rear shell of the iPad 3, comparing the part to the corresponding version found on the iPad 2. The iPad 3 version demonstrates a few minor changes compared to the iPad 2, with one of the most notable being an apparently narrower logic board that could make room for an expanded battery.

A. You can see here that the mounts for the logic board are very different, which means the logic board shape will be different allowing for . . . .

B. More battery. The width of where the logic board sits on the iPad 2 appears much larger than that of the iPad 3. We have long heard that the iPad 3 was going to provide longer battery life, and this back housing seems to support that.

The report also points out slight differences to the locations where the iPad's rear camera and LCD display mount to the rear casing. While those changes obviously do not offer any evidence of enhancements for the components themselves, they do suggest that Apple has at least tweaked their designs from the current iPad.

The photo does not show the backside of the rear shell that would be visible on the assembled device, nor does it show an edge view that would allow for a thickness comparison to the iPad 2. The photo's source does claim, however, that there is no apparent difference in thickness between the two rear shells.

Rumors have disagreed on whether the iPad 3 will thicker, thinner, or the same thickness as the iPad 2, with some suggesting that the final result depends on what type of display technology and backlight system Apple has settled on for the device. The iPad 3 is said to be gaining a high-resolution "Retina" display that could require new solutions for powering and lighting the the screen.

Other rumors have claimed that the device will run utilize a quad-core processor on Apple's next-generation "A6" system-on-a-chip and that support for LTE cellular connectivity will be included on some models.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
apple c1

Apple Unveils 'C1' as First Custom Cellular Modem

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:08 am PST by
Apple today announced its first custom cellular modem with the name "C1," debuting in the all-new iPhone 16e. The new modem contributes to the iPhone 16e's power efficiency, giving it the longest battery life of any iPhone with a 6.1-inch display, such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most...
prioritize notifications ios 18 4

Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 1

Friday February 21, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Apple finally released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers for testing purposes, and while the beta is lacking some of the Apple Intelligence features we were hoping for, there are some notable new additions. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Priority Notifications - Apple Intelligence There is a new Priority Notifications feature that can show you your most...

Top Rated Comments

basesloaded190 Avatar
170 months ago
Longer battery life?! If it has a retina display we should all be jumping for joy if it has the same life as it currently does.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
backinblack875 Avatar
170 months ago
it doesn't look different?? NO ONE WILL BUY IT! just like the iPhone 4s :rolleyes:
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Thunderhawks Avatar
170 months ago
I think they should allow pre-orders for each part that gets revealed and we put everything together ourselves.

That way it's Made in America and nobody has to stand in line and we can save a few bucks.

Think different!
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arcite Avatar
170 months ago
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Peace Avatar
170 months ago
What do people expect ? USB ports ? HDMI ports ? eSata Ports ?

We all know that will never happen. It's not needed.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spiderman0616 Avatar
170 months ago
I was sure Apple was going to include a flash for the rear camera. Oh well.

I just wish someone would release some more information about the launch event or release date.

I'm losing my mind.

My god--I'm with you on that one. I check rumor sites about every 2 seconds.

And as a side note, if this new iPad has a retina display, LTE, and better processor, (or maybe even just the retina display by itself), there is no reason to be disappointed by the lack of a new design. The iPad 2 (much like the iPhone 4) already has a gorgeous design and is incredibly thin. Even when I had the back cover on my iPad 2, it still felt paper thin. I just hope they don't move the camera, or I'll have to buy a new back cover.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)