Apple rumor blog MacRumors has posted a new picture of the case of the alleged next version of the iPhone compared side-by-side with the iPhone 3G. The picture matches a previous leaked shot that displayed the back casing of the supposed next iPhone.

The new photo shows a casing that is matte black in contrast to the glossy texture of the previous iPhone 3G. The text on the casing also seems to better match the shiny silver color of the Apple logo instead of the dark gray of the 3G (which many felt was a design flub).

If authentic, the case could dispel the rumor that the Apple logo on the back of the new iPhone will glow. The logos on Apple MacBook laptops glow using light from the LCD backlight that shines through a piece of slightly inset translucent white plastic. The logo on the new iPhone case seems to match exactly the previous version with the addition of no new special material.

The shape of the new case resembles that of the first-gen iPhone more than that of the 3G. Its curves are more subtle and less bowl-shaped than the 3G.

New vs old leaked iPhone photos

Is the picture legit? Apple, of course, does not comment on such matters and has wisely stopped sending out cease and desist letters since they only legitimize the pictures. The case appears to contain none of the internal electronics, with both the camera and the ringer switch missing. In fact, the thing that gives us pause is that the area where the camera lens should be seems to filled in instead of being an empty hole as in the previous supposed leaked shot. It’s possible the case is an original iPhone repainted (although the speaker configuration and holes for screws on the bottom do not match the original iPhone) or Photoshopped, or, due to the filled in camera hole, simply a clever mock-up that someone built from scratch. Our best guess is that it is, indeed, legit.

The next iPhone is expected to be announced at Apple’s WWDC conference that runs June 8-12.

A poster on a Chinese forum at WeiPhone.com claims to have gotten his hands on the next generation iPhone and says upgrades to the hardware will be light.

The poster, named patapon200, states there will be modest upgrades to the CPU and RAM that will create a speedier operating system. The poster claims a new 3.2MP camera will be added with autofocus, the maximum flash storage will be upgraded to a 32GB option, and an electronic compass will be included as well as FM radio. Translation from the original forum post below:

First of all, the look is the same as the 3G iPhone, and the small print below the back and the Apple logo are the same as is the plating material. It’s a very light upgrade from the 3G iphone. The CPU frequency increased from 400MHz to 600MHz, and RAM 128MB to 256MB. The running speed has really improved!

The new 3.2MP camera has autofocus, and there’s also an electronic compass and FM radio. There is also a new 32GB version. Whoever said the home button will emit light said pure nonsense…. For those who are wondering about the screen size, resolution, and the battery, I’ll say a few words: There are no changes to the 3.5-inch screen, 480×320, or batteries, very regrettable.

Most dubious about the post is the inclusion of FM radio, which is something that Apple could have easily added to iPods in the past, but never did. The poster has not been a source for iPhone information before, but the accompanying iPhone screenshot he posted lends some degree of credibility to his claims.