The LG G3 is a little unusual as smartphone design goes, with the volume buttons on the rear of the device, but that feature is set to stay, albeit with a slightly tweaked design, according to a new leaked photo.  

A leaked image of LG's next flagship smartphone has been shared by GSMArena and appears to show a change in design to the volume control keys on the back panel.  

Next to the camera lens is some sort of sensor but it's not clear from the photo what the sensor is for.

The image also shows the device sitting on top of handwritten notes detailing OIS+ - LG's image stabilising technology - and 16GB and 32GB storage, although the notes do not say whether LG will be making both versions available or whether these are just the two options LG is considering. 

But the leaked image would confirm other leaked images this week reportedly showing new plastic cases for the LG G3.

The cases had cut outs on the back that would allow access to rear-mounted power and volume keys as well as the camera, which is rumored to be 13mp. 

It's rumored that the LG G3 is going to be built on the LG isai FL edition that released exclusively to the Japan market.  That phone is reported to come with quad-core Snapdragon 801 SoC, a 5.5-inch LCD display with a 2560x1440 resolution, and be water-resistant. 

It has been a week of leaked images for the LG G3 and it started off with a set of images revealed to GSMArena by a "credible industry source" and reportedly showing an overhauled Optimus UI on top of Android KitKat 4.4.

The new UI, if the images are true, will be very uncluttered and clean, and come with a weather feature that gives personalised recommendations based on the user's daily routine. 

There's no confirmed release date yet but it's expected to be out in the summer.