The iPhone 5S is apparently set for a release in either July or August of this year according to two new reports, each claiming to have sources that a familiar with Apple’s plans. The first report comes from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who is suggesting that the iPhone 5S will be announced together with iOS 7 at an Apple event in June. The device would then apparently go on sale in July of this year and will apparently have some significant new features that will differentiate it from the iPhone 5.
According to Kuo, the new iPhone 5S will have an A7 processor and a new ‘Smart Flash’ that will use either white or yellow flashlight to improve image quality in low light conditions. In addition, and perhaps the most significant claim, is that the iPhone 5S will have a fingerprint recognition sensor placed underneath the Home button as a novel security feature. The device will retain its aluminum casing, but, according to Kuo, Apple will also apparently release a lower cost device which will be made of fiberglass and plastic, and will be slimmer than normal plastic casings. Both devices will have Retina Display screen resolution and the target price for the lower cost device will be between $350 and $450.
An additional report from iMore also points towards a summer release of the iPhone 5S but suggests that this will take place in August rather than July. The site also also supports some of Kuo’s claims in the sense of the identical form factor and upgraded camera. Interestingly iMore also suggests that the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 will be launched this Spring, with the iPad 5 sporting a revised design, although this has already been reported a number of times.
Case In Point…