News & Reviews:   Apple iPhone 5S specification

Rumours and leaked images about the Apple iPhone 5S are growing by the day, as people are getting quite excited about Apple's upcoming iPhone despite it being just an 'S' version. Some of the newest rumours to arrive includes one about the Apple iPhone 5S getting an A7 processor chip along with a chip for motion tracking. If this is true, it would mean a much faster iPhone with better graphics while the motion tracking feature sounds like something related to air gestures or non-touch controls. These rumours come courtesy of Clayton Morris, Fox News reporter who tweeted:

“Sources are telling me the new iPhone’s A7 chip is running at about 31 per cent faster than A6. I’m hearing it’s very fast.”

“I’ve also heard there’s a separate chip devoted to motion tracking. Should be an interesting camera upgrade.”

Now we've all seen images of the Apple iPhone 5S in champagne gold but it appears that it may have other colour features in the form of a gunmetal casing. While we don't have an actual gunmetal chassis to show you, we do have leaked pics of a gunmetal coloured SIM tray. When inserted into a white Apple iPhone 5S casing it really shows a difference. Gunmetal is generally grey in colour and sometimes comes in brushed metal. We have no idea if this is still aluminum or a different type of metal but with the leaked images of the champagne gold Apple iPhone 5S a gunmetal version is also just as likely. As usual, no details just yet on a release date for Malaysia or pricing but all eyes are looking towards September (we're guessing if no announcement comes next month, all eyes will move on to October and so forth ;).

While we've been hearing reports that the upcoming Apple iPhone 5S and low-cost Apple iPhone 5C may be coming on 10 September 2013, some sources are saying that this is off by about 10 days. According to these sources, they say that these Apple device may instead be sold on 20 September 2013. This is based on the rumour that Apple may start rolling out the completed version of iOS 7 on 16 September 2013, as the Apple iOS 7 Golden Master release is said to be coming on 5 September 2013. These sources indicate that Apple may also have a second announcement event in October to reveal the Apple iPad 5 and iPad mini 2. These two Apple tablets are expected to go on sale on 25 October 2013. As always, take this with a pinch of salt as we expect the rumours to continue flying even right before the real event starts.

The next Apple iPhone will undoubtedly be the Apple iPhone 5S but even then a whole truckload of rumours and leaked pics have fueled predictions about the features that may come with Apple's next version of the iPhone. So far, everyone is saying it will come on 10 September 2013 with release dates for Malaysia and other countries expected around October but this isn't a feature. Compiling these features into one post, the features that have been circulating the most and may appear for the Apple iPhone 5S include:

• 1.5GHz Apple A7 Chip + 1GB LPDDR3-1333 RAM
• 12MP f/2.0 aperture camera + dual LED flash
• Fingerprint scanner behind Sapphire glass Home key
• Champagne Gold body
• 128GB storage
• NFC

Apart from the whole slew of hardware upgrades for the upcoming Apple iPhone 5S, Apple may also be one of the few smartphone makers to offer a smartphone with 128GB worth of storage memory. This prediction comes from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who has made several fairly accurate predictions about upcoming smartphones in the past. According to him, the 128GB Apple iPhone 5S would cost $499 (RM1634) on contract. Other predictions for the Apple iPhone 5S include tech specs such as a new A7 Chip with 1GB of LPDDR3 RAM. The new A7 chip will use ARMv8 architecture providing 20% more energy efficiency than the previous A6 chip. Other features confirmed by the analyst include an upgraded F/2.0 aperture camera with dual-LED flash along with a gold colour casing option as well.

Previously Apple teased 10 September 2013 as the date when they would reveal the next Apple iPhone, which would probably be the Apple iPhone 5S. Many are expecting it to come with the final version of iOS 7 and be announced alongside the low-cost Apple iPhone 5C. However, this may no longer be the case as some anonymous tipsters have suggested that both smartphones may be released on 25 October 2013 instead. While this would definitely involve the Apple iPhone 5S and lower cost Apple iPhone 5C, it could also come with the announcement of the new MacBook Air as well. We're thinking that while the Apple iPhone 5S and 5C may be announced on 10 September 2013, they'll only be released and be available on 25 October 2013 which could be the reason for the different dates. However, we shouldn't have to wait all that long as 10 September 2013 is just around the corner.

The upcoming Apple iPhone 5S is shaping up to be the most radical change in production cycles for an Apple iPhone as it may be the first 'S' version to introduce significant hardware changes as rumours indicate. These rumours include:

• a higher capacity battery (due to the reportedly heavier weight)
• faster A7 processor
• sapphire glass home button with embedded fingerprint scanner
• 8MP f/2.0 aperture rear camera
• double LED flash (from leaked spare parts)
• come in white, dark gray and champagne gold

According to insider information, the next Apple iPhone, which should be the Apple iPhone 5S, is coming soon on 10 September 2013. This fits with previous release dates which also happened around this time period and while the rumour circulating is about the iPhone 5S release, it will also mark the final release of other related devices and products like perhaps iOS 7 (which is already in beta 5) and the supposedly low-cost Apple iPhone 5C. While these are the more definite announcements that are likely to happen on that date, bear in mind that the Apple iPad 5 could also make an appearance as backplate housing for the tablet has surfaced. The Apple iPad mini with Retina Display on the other hand is still slated for around 2014 though.

For those not in the know (or aren't an Apple iOS developer) then know this, Apple's iOS 7 beta 4 has been released. Apart from the new features and bug fixes, going through the change log confirms a new fingerprint scanner for the upcoming Apple iPhone 5S. This was found by developer Hamza Sood who discovered a folder labeled "BiometricKitUI". This folder contained script which described processes that show a fingerprint scanner in action. This included statements like "a person holding an iPhone with their left hand while touching the Home button with their thumb" or "A fingerprint that changes colour during the setup process". This would be a definite change from the norm as most 'S' upgrades to the Apple iPhone have largely been software and not hardware related.

While a whole bunch of Apple iPhone leaked images have appeared, from the plastic Apple iPhone Lite to the upcoming Apple iPhone 5S, this is the first time we've seen the iPhone 5S in gold. Featuring the same aluminum unibody chassis with a metallic gold backplate (and teal green Apple logo and wording) the image leak is shown side by side an existing Apple iPhone (or iPhone 5S) and the supposedly plastic Apple iPhone Lite. Whether or not these are real or just cheap knockoffs can't be ascertained just yet as both the real and fake versions come from China, which is where the leaked image of the gold Apple iPhone 5S comes from as well.