Photo of the Back of an iPad 3 Rear Shell, Smart Cover Magnets

Apparently, iPad 3 enclosures are easy to come by these days. Earlier today, Repair Labs posted a photo of the interior the iPad 3 rear shell. They concluded that there were some minor changes that suggested a larger battery and redesigned logic board.

d3cb7a03b536d349e251574a6c861512 view

Tonight, Apple.pro posts an image of the back of the same shell, showing it to look quite simliar to the current iPad 2 backing, though the camera appears closer to the edge. There's no markings on the enclosure, however. No "iPad" or serial number markings.

f330433e2b2f93d403fa0e11dabb8f06 view
The site also claims to have a photo of the Smart Cover magnets, suggesting the iPad 3 will share the same Smart Cover as the iPad 2. iFixit has a magnet teardown of the iPad 2 which shows a similar magnet configuration.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...

Top Rated Comments

Peace Avatar
183 months ago
Can't someone just log in to Foxconn and take a look ?

:D
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
campingsk8er Avatar
183 months ago
When are we gonna to read Mac rumors? It's been pretty much iPad product wise. Kinda of annoying considering this is supposedly a Mac rumor site.


Not trying to hate, although this isn't going to be popular post.
Since when has apple been just about macs. Exactly. It's just that time of year. Winter we talk about iPad. Spring talk about Mac. Summer iOS and iPhone. And fall lawsuits.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KingJosh Avatar
183 months ago
it's probably a purposely leaked design in order to steer competition down the wrong path. Apple does that lately don't they? If what I say is right the next samsung tablet will still look like an ipad2 and not a 3. If the ipad3 official product was leaked it would be different and samsung would copy it and release before Apple and then say that they didn't copy even though it is exactly the same rofl
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pancakedrawer Avatar
183 months ago
The camera hole is on the curve. I doubt the lense would be formed like that

I agree

One explanation could be the camera is facing forward so that you take photos like a box brownie camera, looking down at the screen.

Either way you always look stupid taking photos with an iPad
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
troop231 Avatar
183 months ago
Can't someone just log in to Foxconn and take a look ?

:D

I see what you did there. :cool:
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Navdakilla Avatar
183 months ago
Credit card ready! :cool:

I hate/love playing this waiting game, the anticipation is killing me!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)