iPhone 5 Release Date: Cases Already Available at AT&T Retail Locations?

AT&T retail locations are already receiving shipments of cases for the tear-drop designed upcoming iPhone 5, according to MacRumors.

The site received photos from a reader which showed silicon sleeves produced for the iPhone 5 arriving in his AT&T store today.

The cases feature the thin-tapered tear-drop design rumored for the upcoming iPhone 5.

Most sources are pointing to Apple unveiling an updated iPhone 4 called the 4S at its October 4 “Let’s Talk iPhone” event, but with these new cases hitting stores, there seems to a higher chance of a radically new designed Apple smartphone being released.

At this point, third party cases seem to be the only evidence in favor of a redesigned iPhone 5.

According to recent inventory database listings and part leaks, Apple is probably planning to unveil and release the iPhone 4S.

Cases for the tear-drop shaped model also appeared in AT&T’s database this morning manufactured by Case-Mate, a company which has been producing these cases since the summertime.

Despite the evidence of the iPhone 4S release, AT&T seems to feel that it should prepare for a radically re-designed iPhone 5.

The iPhone 4S will look nearly identical to the iPhone 4, according to recent reports, so newly designed cases would not be necessary.

AT&T is the original carrier of the iPhone, and out of all the network service providers, the company probably possesses the most insight into Apple’s plans.

By AT&T ordering these cases, there is still a good chance consumers may see the newly designed iPhone unveiled by Apple’s CEO Tim Cook at the October media event.

Analysts expect the new device to be available one week after the unveiling, which should be around October 12.

The new device will run on Apple’s iOS 5 set to be released this fall.