Seems the analysts and rumor-mongers have grown tired of the Apple tablet as a topic and turned back to this year’s iPhone refresh. On deck today are rumblings of a touch-sensitive casing for the next-generation model.

MacRumors quotes a report from Bloomberg with Goldman Sachs analyst Robert Chen’s prediction that this year’s iPhone may incorporate a touch-sensitive casing in addition to the traditional touchscreen. The analyst likens it to the company’s recently released multi-touch Magic Mouse.

“Magic Mouse, a computer mouse released in October, has a touch-sensitive solid plastic shell that replaces mechanical buttons. The technology may be replicated in the new iPhone to offer touch-sensitive features on the rear of the handset,” the Bloomberg report explains.

As usual, there’s no specific evidence for Chen’s claims other than citing an “unidentified source,” and the analyst doesn’t give any real suggestions as to how such touch sensitivity might be utilized.

However, Chen goes on to make more rational predictions which seem to be widely believed at this point. He predicts the 2010 model iPhone will make an appearance “as early as June” and will include a 5-megapixel camera instead of the 3.2-megapixel camera currently featured in the iPhone 3GS model.

A report just prior to the end of the year seemed to confirm that Apple has already placed orders for 5-megapixel camera sensors with the intention of using them in a new model of iPhone, and another claim made last week also suggests the company may be looking to add an LED flash at long last.

Image courtesy of GadgetCrunch.net