Apple has not confirmed anything regarding its next-generation iPhone, not even the release date, but the rumor mill is constantly churning with lots of speculation, reports, alleged leaked information and what not.

After the recent leak of home buttons allegedly designed for the next-generation iPhone, accessory vendor SW-BOX has now posted information on an alleged iPhone 5 SIM card tray. SW-BOX claims it received the part from one of its suppliers. As the next-generation iPhone is expected to launch in the second half of 2012, parts for the new device should be heading to production lines soon in order to get millions of units manufactured in time to meet the demand.

Minor Modifications

While everybody is expecting a complete redesign for the new iPhone, the leaked "iPhone 5 Sim Card Tray Holder Slot" seems to indicate otherwise. As Mac Rumors noted, the SIM card tray shows very subtle differences from the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The featured tray, allegedly for the iPhone 5, has a "slight tapering of metal frame pieces and an extra metal shelf not seen in current trays." This does not rule out the possibility of a redesign, but points to minor modifications rather than drastic changes.

The tray does seem virtually identical to that found in the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, and if the part is genuine it indicates that Apple may opt for a similar form factor for the next-generation iPhone. Previous rumors suggested the new iPhone would feature a rounded-edge design, but such a design does not quite match this tray. According to Mac Rumors, a rounded-edge design would require "a somewhat curved exterior surface for the tray or at least a thinner profile as was seen in earlier iPhone models such as the 3G and 3GS."

No Nano-SIM

The SIM tray also suggests the next-generation iPhone will not employ its "nano-SIM" standard that Apple has proposed. In March, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute has postponed its vote on the standard, Apple and Nokia could not come to terms over the design. Consequently, it seems the nano-SIM design will not be ready in time to be included in the new iPhone.

(reported by Alexandra Burlacu, edited by Dave Clark)