White iPhone 5 leaked pictures hint at larger edge-to-edge screen

Apple's iPhone 5 may look much like the iPhone 4, but with a bigger screen and smaller surrounding bezel. That's the conclusion from a series of images leaked in China, based on "mould engineering drawings" used to make cases for the next-generation device.

The images have been published on iDealsChina, which explains how it got its hands on them:

"We just got what appears to be mould engineering drawings for iPhone 5. These would be used by case designers to create plastic, TPU, aluminium, silicone and leather cases. A while back we heard rumours that iPhone 5 would have a curved back, but these images show iPhone 5 with the same form factor as iPhone 4 but with an edge to edge screen."

The images only show the shape of the iPhone 5, but don't shed any light on Apple's plans for the device's antenna, following the infamous issues around the iPhone 4's design.

It's just the latest in a series of rumours about Apple's plans for the iPhone 5. It seems fairly clear that there will be a white model, with Chinese firm Wintek fingered as the touch-panel supplier.

Earlier this week, there was also speculation that the device will have an aluminium rear casing, rather than the glass used for the iPhone 4. Yesterday, we also reported on the claim that the iPhone 5 will use the same A5 processor as the iPad 2, based on developers digging around in the code for Apple's iOS 4.3 update.

If Apple keeps to its annual refresh policy, we can expect to see the iPhone 5 announced at its WWDC show in June, and then go on sale shortly afterwards around the world.