It was just two years ago with the introductions of the iPad and iPhone 4 that Apple began using micro-SIM cards in its devices, but according to a new report, the Cupertino firm may be planning to switch to an even smaller SIM in the next iPhone. The Financial Times claims that European carriers have begun placing "multiple orders" of the new nano-SIM card with the expectation that Apple will be using the card in the new iPhone that's thought to be coming later this year. It's said that while the operators weren't prepared for the iPhone 4 and iPad's adoption of the micro-SIM in 2010, they're planning ahead this time around. The publication also claims that Nokia won't be using the nano-SIM in its new Windows Phone 8 Lumia handset that's coming in the fall.

In other iPhone 5 leak news, a new image has made its way online of what may be a white front panel belonging to the new iPhone. The front panel appears to be taller than the one found on the iPhone 4S, and the FaceTime camera has been moved from its spot to the left of the earpiece on the 4S to directly above it on this leaked part.

So will these two parts indeed make the new iPhone cut? Well, this front panel looks fairly similar to ones that we've seen in the past (except that this one is white while others have been black), and it appears to jibe with previous rumors that claimed that the next iPhone will feature a taller 4-inch display. It's also been rumored that Apple's next handset might adopt a new, smaller dock connector to allow for more space for components inside the phone. Adopting a nano-SIM, which is 40 percent smaller than the micro-SIM, is another way that Apple could help make some room inside the new iPhone. The new iOS handset is reportedly due to arrive in October, so the European carriers have three more months to stockpile nano-SIMs (and we've got three more months of wading through rumors) before finding out exactly what Apple has up its sleeve for the next iPhone.

Via MacRumors (1), (2), Financial Times, Apple.pro, Photobucket