Apple’s main focus last year was reinventing its iPad, with no less than three new versions of the must-have tablet computer being released throughout 2012. The Californian tech co. also managed to find time to slip out another iPhone – a fifth generation smartphone featuring a slimmer and lighter frame, high resolution visuals displayed through a 4-inch screen and powered by Apple’s own A6 processor.
Leaked shots from one of Apple’s supply chains would suggest that this year its current model mobile will get the spit and polish treatment and may also be joined by a sixth generation successor towards the end of the year.
The leak in question comes from a French tech site and shows off speaker components from two new Apple gadgets, labelled in the photos as the ‘iPhone 5S’ and ‘iPhone 6’. Noticeably, from a side shot there is a size and thickness difference between the two pieces suggesting perhaps the 5S will be a slimmer device again.
The website also quotes the supplier of these parts, saying that the iPhone 5 will get the ‘S’ treatment and an incremental update between March to July, with the iPhone 6 expected to be announced a little later – our guess being at a September/October event. This is generally when Apple sets up launches for its latest offerings – strategically just before the Christmas gadget buying frenzy.
If there’s any legitimacy behind this leak expect rumours to begin snowballing as we reach Q2 and these will add to an already growing list of iPhone 6 speculations, including the addition of a new iOS 7 and NFC connectivity, a range of colours available outside of the standard white or black and a level-up in size to match the proportions of the Samsung Galaxy Note.
Gadget Helpline will be keeping an eye on the iPhone to bring our readers all the latest developments!