[Update] iPhone 5 Cases Showing Tapered Design Start Arriving At AT&T Stores.

Still doubting the claim that the iPhone 5 will carry a re-designed, tapered form factor? There’s certainly been plenty of evidence both for and against such a claim. But late last night another leak via an alleged AT&T employee casts another vote for the iPhone 5 re-design club.

The case above is very clearly tapered more like an iPod Touch than the current iPhone 4. Thus far, in fact, case leaks such as this are the only physical evidence we’ve seen that a re-designed iPhone exists — contrary to past iPhone re-designs where parts have eventually leaked out prior to release. On the flip side, the 4S isn’t necessarily all that spectacular as it’s more of a low cost replacement to the iPhone 4. The real secret (and surprise) for this year is the iPhone 5. We have no doubt at this point that the lack of iPhone 5 evidence is simply because Apple succeeded in running an extremely tight ship this year by keeping parts and 3rd party accessory leaks under wraps. Of course, there’s still a few days before things get official. Someone could still leak something here or there.

Provided the “store” that is receiving the cases above is an AT&T store we say it’s pretty certain the iPhone 5 will feature a re-designed exterior after all. It’s one thing for a third party case manufacturer to jump the gun and have new cases inadvertently leaked by eager employees. It’s a completely different story when it’s a brick and mortar AT&T store, however.

Thoughts?