VR-Zone

We're not sure this was the smartest move in history, but Luxa², a division of Thermaltake has sent out its press release about its new iPhone 5 cases showing off a total of 13 different designs. Although the images doesn't give away too much in terms of details, there's one front shot of a dummy unit which suggests that Apple decided to keep the round button for at least one of its rumoured two new models that are expected to launch later today US time.

If nothing else it's a great way of getting some free publicity, as iPhone's cases are a dime a dozen these days and although Luxa² has come up with a couple of slightly unusual looking cases such as a wooden one and a braided one, the other are fairly generic in terms of look, although six models appear to the made of clear plastic with various patterns.

If the dummy fitted to the cases turns out to be anything like the real deal, which we'd expect it to be this close to launch, then we're back to a metal back with a plastic Apple logo. The logo is used to improve the antenna signals which would be blocked by the metal back otherwise. The camera doesn't appear to have changed in any significant way as far as the design is concerned, but that's about as much as we can tell from the pictures.

The volume buttons have changed into a slim line rocker design and it appears as if the lock switch has been moved right next to the camera on the opposite side of the volume rocker. As far as the front of the phone is concerned, well, it doesn't look that different, but it's possible that Apple has supplied the case manufacturers with dummy units that don't give away the rumoured front re-design. Make what you want of this, but the wait is almost over.