A source at Apple confirmed the iPhone 5S will be presented on Sept 10

Apple plans to present the iPhone 5S in less than a month, to be precise, on September 10. This washinted by Jim Dalrymple from The Loop who is known  for having a knowledge of Apple from the inside. Along with the flagship Apple will introduce a budget version and the iPhone, to compete with Samsung and inexpensive smartphones based on Android, writes the blogger.

The fact that Apple is going to announce the new generation  iPhone 5S on Sept 10, has told the Sunday edition of the All Things Digital. The new expected date of the presentation of new items is quite the same as the traditional schedule of presentations of products Apple: the current version of the smartphone – iPhone 5 was presented September 12 of last year.

Among the possible changes in the device – the display, made by “energy-saving” technology IGZO, a processor speed of 1.6 GHz and a memory capacity of 2 GB. As experts suggest, Apple may also be provided with a smartphone camera at 12 megapixels, NFC-module and a fingerprint sensor, which will unlock the device without a password.

The main intrigue of the event will be a question whether Apple will apply the new pricing tactics to their smartphones. Previously, when a new flagship company cut prices only on the previous model. Experts note a decline in demand for high-end modification as users prefer to get previous versions, which are sold at great discount prices. Now, along with the flagship smartphone Apple plans to launch a budget version of the iPhone.

Release of iPhone 5S is a key event of the year for Apple. Consumers, investors, and even some members of the Board of Directors called for an American corporation as soon as possible to start production and sales of innovative products.

Users expect other developing Apple. In particular, the California giant is about to launch a new desktop operating system OS X Mavericks. In addition, the market is actively discussing the development of Apple «smart” clock and TV. However, their presentation is unlikely to take place on September 10.

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New report reiterates ’5C’ name for budget iPhone, calls for a gold 5S colorway

In the past few months we've seen a tons of leaked images showing iPhone 5C parts from behind and front, that's not only many rumors we've heard saying that Apple is already working on a low cost budget iPhone entitled "iPhone 5C".. But now I should ask a question: "What does 5C refers to ?" Check out the following report as you will get surprised...

A new report out of Japan today corroborates previous chatter, claiming that we’ll be seeing two iPhones on stage that Tuesday: a low-budget model that is indeed called the ‘iPhone 5C,’ and an iPhone 5S with a gold colorway…

The folks at 9to5mac pointing to a report from the fairly reliable Macotakara, citing the fact that it correctly predicted the ‘iPad mini’ name for Apple’s smaller tablet last fall. The site offers details for both the iPhone 5S and 5C.

As for the 5S (rough translation via Google Translate):

“The name of coming iPhone to be iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C according to my Asian source, Rumored coming iPhone powered by A7 processor Will be Released as “iPhone 5S”. 

This source told That KGI Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s guessesMay be true. Ming-Chi guessed several points, the resolution of iSight camera will be stayed on 8M pixels but F-stop will be brighter up to 2.0. The gold color which is rumored as 3rd color of iPhone 5S will be optional, and rectangle mark of home button Will be removed.”

Considering that we’ve seen evidence of the A7 chip in iOS 7, it’s safe to assume that we’ll see it in the iPhone 5S. The 8MP sensor doesn’t necessarily line up with previous chatter, but we have heard the phone will take better low-light shots.

But hold on a second ! Do you think Apple will unveil a new iPhone with a gold colorway ? Then please don't call it a cheap low cost budget iPhone..

Speaking of the budget iPhone:

“Additionally, That source told about coming low-cost iPhone, Which is covered by Plastic case made ​​from polycarbonate and glass-Fibre, it Will be Released with expected name, “iPhone 5C.”

We’ve seen several reports regarding Apple’s low-cost handset over the past 6 months, as well as a number of part leaks. Everything thus far has pointed to the same polycarbonate device, available in various colors, priced at around $300.

The blog says that "C" refers to the color of the iPhone that we should see it very soon..

So given everything we’ve seen up until now, it seems pretty likely that Apple will show off these two handsets at its event. As for the new iPad mini and redesigned iPad 5, we wouldn’t be surprised to see them at a second event in October.

So what do you think ? Can we see a colored iPhone and with a gold ? Share your thoughts...

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What Jailbreak Tweaks Will You Need on iOS 7 ?

We're all mostly aware of what iOS 7 will be bringing, but what is it lacking? Most likely, we'll see a jailbreak for Apple's latest and greatest as we always have, but why do we need one this time?

So to those of you reading this: What tweaks will you be getting once you've jailbroken iOS 7?

Seems like every time a new iOS version comes around the consensus is "I might not even jailbreak," but that tends to change quick...

What are you going to need?

For me? I'm in the "I might not jailbreak" boat for now, but I'm really missing things like flux and activator.

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Concept of iPhone 5S with a 4.3-inch screen and iOS 7 [Video]

Last week there was a rumor according to which Apple could postpone the release of the new iPhone 5Ssometimes this Fall, perhaps – at the end of the year. It is claimed that such a decision due to the desire to equip the phone with a larger 4.3-inch screen display.

According to the data presented, the next Apple smartphone can become the owner of Retina display with a  4.3-inch diagonal. Recall, the current iPhone 5 has a  4-inch diagonally touch screen.

By the way, the relatively small size of the screen often “put the blame” the current generation iPhone when compared to the flagship devices on Android, diagonal of the display in which long ago reached 5-inch. Although most Apple insist that a 4-inch touchscreen is perfect in terms of usability and ergonomics for the device. However, perhaps even Apple can not completely ignore the trends in modern mobile industry.

The iPhone 5S concept is created by designer iMosa3da  who suggests that Apple could easily enlarge the smartphone to 4.3-incch, without sacrificing ergonomics. The device will retain the same form factor – an increase achieved through a thin frame around the display.

Screen resolution remained the same – 1136 x 640 pixels, that is, problems with games and applications will arise. The only thing – decreased density of pixels per inch from 325 to 303. However, as is known, the difference between the indices of more than 300 ppi is not perceived by the human eye.

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Apple to increase the iPhone 5S screen size to 4.3-inch

Apple plans to postpone the release of iPhone 5S at the end of the year due to changes in the design of smartphone. On it informs edition The Commercial Times, citing anonymous sources. According to some reports, the Cupertino have decided to increase the screen size flagship phone, which should amount to 4.3-inch instead of four as previously thought.

iPhone 5S release was to be held in September-October 2013, but Tim Cook has decided to postpone the debut of the model, writes The Commercial Times. As for the budget version, the so-called iPhone Light, its release schedule has not changed – the start of sales, as stated, is scheduled for October.

On the eve of another publication Digitimes He told me that Apple is forced to reduce the supply of the next generation iPhone due to problems with components. It has been reported that deliveries in the first months of new items will be lower due to the low yield of chips for fingerprint recognition system for the LCD.

According to numerous reports in the media, iPhone 5S should get display technology with IGZO, chip NFC, fingerprint sensor, 2 GB of RAM, 12-megapixel camera and a processor with a clock speed of 1.6 GHz.

Although, according to the correspondents The Commercial Times, the display information on the increase iPhone 5S came from a trusted source of information that previously proved reliable, the message is still regarded as a rumor and wait for the official announcement. Apple representatives have not yet commented on this information.

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Apple Patent Paves Way for In-Screen Fingerprint Sensor on the iPhone 5S

The upcoming iPhone 5S has long been rumored to have some sort of new security capability. Many have pointed to a fingerprint sensor as being the way forward, as one could be placed discretely in the home button. While that is true, an Apple patent revealed today instead shows the process by which a sensor could be placed in the screen.

The patent does show a unique process: most fingerprint readers are included in separate hardware accessories. Since this has been a persistent rumor, it seems at least possible that the reader will in fact be included with the iPhone 5S, which is expected to ship in early fall of this year.

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Genuine-looking iPhone 5S production images and specs leak

Just a day after AllThingsD confirmed analyst Piter Misek’s claim of the iPhone 5S production ramp-upin July, a Chinese website leaks a few images that appear to depict a bunch of production iPhone 5S units.

There’s no way of determining authenticity of the photos because the iPhone 5S is widely expected to re-use the two-tone design of the current-generation iPhone 5.

The Chinese source also spelled out technical specifications that match up with past rumors.

Go past the fold for the full breakdown…

Our Chinese is a little rusty, but according to a machine-translated article published by the Chinese-language website EXPReview, the iPhone 5S features a four-inch IGZO panel (Sharp?) with the same 1,136-by-640 Retina resolution at 326 pixels-per-inch.

You may recall a Korean publication recently said Apple was finally ready to make a switchfrom traditional LCD IPS technology to energy-efficient IGZO panels.

Co-developed by Sharp and Semiconductor Energy Laboratories, IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) panels consume just a fraction of power needed to drive LCDs while providing deeper blacks and richer colors.

The report goes on to mention that the iPhone 5S will run an improved processor featuring faster graphics: Imagination Technologies’ quad-core PowerVR SGX 554MP4 GPU instead of the three-core PowerVR SGX543MP3 driving graphics on the iPhone 5.

The CPU part is said to feature 2GB of RAM, twice as much than the iPhone 5′s 1GB of LPDDR2-1066 RAM. Doubling the RAM would allow for smoother multitasking, faster performance and better responsiveness. Other than that, the device’s CPU is said to be still a Swift dual-core variant.

Other tidbit mentioned include support for 4G LTE-Advance networking (again, matching up with recent chatter), a twelve-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash (likely rocking improved night shooting and super slow-motion video capture) and both NFC and fingerprint (Authentec-made?) sensors.

The pretty reliable Japanese blog Macotakara recently claimed the next iPhone will be outfitted with both NFC and fingerprint-scanning technology to enhance the security and capabilities of iOS-driven mobile payments. If that’s the case,, we should then expect an iTunes Wallet announcement as well.

For what it’s worth, we recently heard from another source that integrating fingerprint tech underneath the Home button was causing production issues that might cause supply constraints at launch.

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iPhone 5S to have 4.3-inch screen? Probably not

With last month’s trial production and this month’s ramp-up underway, all checks now point to Apple having finalized the next iPhone and now mass producing the device, in time for a presumed Fall launch.

A Chinese website behind alleged iPhone 5S production shots is adamant the iPhone 5S has the same four-inch display as its predecessor.

That may not be the case: if a Taiwanese newspaper is to be trusted, Apple has increased the iPhone 5S’s screen to measure 4.3 inches diagonally. Worse, the move, the story goes, may delay the handset’s introduction until the end of the year…

Bloomberg relayed a report by the Taiwan-based Commercial Times newspaper citing unidentified people in the semiconductor industry as confirming Apple originally targeted a September or October iPhone 5S unveiling.

Another factor behind the iPhone 5S delay: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) may not be able to deliver the chips until August, according the the report.

The story is in line with DigiTimes, another Taiwanese trade publication which on Monday cautioned that yield issues with the fingerprint sensor and colorized casing had pushed back the iPhone 5S.

In iDB’s own non-scientific poll, 1 out of each 5 respondents voted for a 4.3-inch iPhone.

Increasing the screen size would inevitably entail redesigning the handset around a larger form-factor. That said, I doubt The Commercial Times is necessarily taking about the iPhone 5S here as several analysts have speculated that Apple could release multiple iPhones this year.

4.3-inch iPhone 6 concept by ADR Studio.

In addition to the “regular” iPhone 5S, analysts have called for a rumored budget iPhone and another high-end model featuring a large screen, with dimensions ranging from 4.3 to 4.8 inches and beyond (depending on whom you ask).

Speaking of the less-pricey iPhone, Commercial Times is expecting the mid-tier device by the end of the third quarter. The notion echoes AllThingsD from yesterday, which confirmed Apple’s July iPhone 5S production ramp-up. Curiously enough, AllThingsD hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a second, lower-cost iPhone version later in the year.

Apple for sure can get away with another S-upgrade, but not at the expense of the lucrative holiday season. I just can’t imagine Tim Cook & Co. risking further profit erosion by not having a new iPhone on sale in time for the beginning of the all-important holiday shopping fever.

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BGR: iPhone 5S Could Feature LiquidMetal Casing

As usual for this time of year, speculation surrounding the next-generation iPhone 5S is beginning to heat up. In addition to a rumored 12-megapixel camera with dual LED flash and fingerprint scanner, among other features, Jonathan Geller at BGR believes that Apple will turn to LiquidMetal casing for its latest iPhone.

Geller has come to the realization that the purported SIM trays for the iPhone 5S that his website exclusively leaked are injection molded out of LiquidMetal, a strong and durable material that is highly resistant to cosmetic wear and tear. In other words, the days of scratching your iPhone could be long gone. 

Geller recalls owning an older mobile phone that utilized LiquidMetal:

The Vertu Ascent in 2004 was the first of a range of Vertu handsets to feature the LiquidMetal alloy, and it’s composition is unmistakable. It’s an almost powdery metal and I can attest to its strength and durability because I remember dropping my Vertu on multiple occasions on the concrete pavement of New York City only to pick it up and happily find that there was never a scratch on it.

Last fall, there was a significant outpour of criticism about how scratch-prone the iPhone 5 was. Early adopters of the smartphone were finding that the anodized finish was wearing off, exposing the natural aluminum underneath. Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller called it something “normal” a few days later.

Apple could eliminate this problem by switching to an LiquidMetal enclosure on the iPhone 5S, which would give the smartphone much improved anti-wearing properties. Moreover, Geller expects that the Cupertino-based company will be exploring — and likely using — sapphire crystal material to cover its future displays.

A mockup of a LiquidMetal iPhone from last year.

I imagine that these purported design changes do not sit well with third-party accessory makers, who have made fortunes off selling iPhone cases and screen protectors for a pretty penny. But for the consumer, especially those who are prone to dropping their devices, this move would be more than welcomed.

Multiple sources have confirmed that the iPhone 5S has now entered production, ahead of a September or October announcement. Other rumored features of the handset include an IGZO display, NFC and multiple color options, improved battery life, 2 GB RAM and an Apple A6 processor with a higher clock speed.

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Analyst: Production of Low-Cost iPhone has Begun, iPhone ’5S’ to Follow Soon

The number of rumors that get thrown around this time of year can be sickening, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop reporting them. Actual production of the low-cost iPhone has already begun and that of the next generation iPhone will begin this month, according to Jeffries analyst Peter Misek. He claims that the latter device is going into production to prep for a September or October release. Such a date would make sense considering Apple’s current release cycle. Misek expects Apple to order 50-55 million iPhones and, according to Business Insider it comprises of 5 million iPhone 4S units, 20 million low-cost iPhone units, and 25 million iPhone 5S units.

As for the low-cost iPhone, Misek expects the device to be priced in the range of $300-400 without carrier subsidy. It’s expected to feature “mid-range” specifications that may not allow it to truly compete with the budget offerings of other manufacturers such as Samsung in emerging markets. Cult of Mac has compiled a list of wacky predictionsPeter Misek has made, however, so I wouldn’t take this prediction for anything more than informed speculation. But it’s almost fact at this point that Apple will be introducing the next generation iPhone as well as a “low-cost” model sometime this year. When that will be and the details of either device are yet to be seen.

Which of the two would you buy if you were interested in a new iPhone? Budget or 5S? Hit up the poll in the comments section.

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‘InstaChooser’ lets you import videos into Instagram

I think it’s safe to say that Instagram’s foray into video, as delayed as it may have been, has turned out to be a resounding success. Many of the folks I follow on Instagram have happily embraced the new video feature, and services like Vine have suffered as a result.

Now it’s time for the jailbreak community to have their say. The first jailbreak release to alter the functionality of Instagram video is InstaChooser. InstaChooser is a tweak that allows you to import videos from your device’s Camera Roll right into Instagram. This allows you to mix and match video created outside of Instagram along with the service’s own video authoring tools.

InstaChooser is not perfect, but it works decently enough to suit the needs of those who absolutely must have importing capabilities. Have a look at our full video walkthrough inside for the details…

After installation, you’ll notice a new button on the video authoring page for importing video from the Camera Roll. The design of the tweak leaves much to be desired, as it sticks out like a sore thumb next to Instagram’s slick UI. Importing video is fairly seamless, even if you do have to deal with ridiculous prompts each time you wish to insert an outside clip (see our video above to see what I mean).

InstaChooser does feature a preference panel, but it contains nothing more than a simple kill switch, and that kill switch requires that you close out of Instagram each time you use it. Again, it’s not the most elegant experience, but this is pretty much the only option for those that wish to insert outside video.

The actual process for importing outside video works well, but it’s not without its own set of shortcomings. First of all, you can only insert video, not images. That should go without saying, but inserting images will cause the app to crash. InstaChooser does allow you to insert more than one clip at a time, but if the total is longer than Instagram’s 15 second limit, the app will crash before publishing. The app will also crash if you don’t have at least some of the content created from within Instagram. Lastly, I should mention that during the cover selection, only the material created within Instagram can be seen. In the end, your outside clip will be uploaded for all to see.

With everything taken into account, InstaChooser feel very much like a hack that was thrown together in haste to accommodate someone’s needs. It feels like it was quickly developed and hastily released without much polish or testing going into the process. Yes, it works, but it’s a very crude process filled with anomalies, annoying and repetitive prompts, and of course, crashes. In other words, proceed at your own risk.

If you want to give InstaChooser a try, then venture over to Cydia’s BigBoss repo where it can be downloaded for $0.99. Obviously, you must have Instagram installed on your device with the latest video support updates in order to successfully take advantage of InstaChooser’s import feature. Let me know what you think about InstaChooser in the comment section below.

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Foxconn said to be hiring workers to build next-gen iPhone

According to a new report, Foxconn—Apple’s go-to manufacturing partner for many of its iOS devices—has begun hiring workers to help it produce the next-generation iPhone. A recruiting firm that works with the company has reportedly started large-scale recruitment.

The boost in hiring makes sense, as recent reports suggest that Apple has begun ramping up production of its next-gen handset ahead of what is expected to be a fall launch. We saw a similar bolster in Foxconn’s workforce ahead of the iPhone 5′s launch last summer…

CNET points to the report in China Business News:

“Foxconn Technology Group, the world’s largest contract manufacturer of electronics by revenue, has restarted hiring assembly line workers in the  Chinese mainland to produce Apple’s next-generation gadget iPhone 6, the China Business News (CBN) reported Tuesday, citing company insiders.”

Though the report refers to the product as the ‘iPhone 6,’ it doesn’t appear to be more than guesswork, as there is no indication of a model number of the handset. Besides, as aforementioned, the timing matches up perfectly with Apple’s forecasted iPhone 5Sproduction.

Foxconn has been a major producer of the iPhone and iPad for the past few years, but word is that it’s been losing some orders recently to its Taiwanese competitor Pegatron Corp. Many believe the move has something to do with Foxconn’s iPhone 5 production issues.

We don’t know much about this year’s iPhone release, but many believe that it will be an ‘S’ model upgrade to its predecessor. Its features are rumored to include a faster processor, a dual LED flash, a better camera with slow-motion capabilities and a fingerprint sensor.

Apple is expected to unveil the handset, alongside multiple refreshed iPads and other products, sometime in the next three months.

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This Hidden Code Suggests iPhone 5S Could Record Video At 120FPS

The next thing we are waiting for Apple to reveal is its next generation iPhone which said to be called iPhone 5S.. Until this day we don't know a lot of useful information about how it will look like and what colors it will be available.. It’s believed to be an ‘S’ model, with a faster processor and other upgraded internals. Outside of that, however, we literally know nothing about the handset.

The iPhone 5S will surely offer at least one ‘stand-out’ feature. The 3GS had video recording, for example, and the 4S added Siri. So what will the 5S’ killer feature be? A new report says it could be slow-motion video…

According to a new report from Mark Gurman from 9to5mac who pointed to recently discovered code hidden inside the iOS 7 developer beta that suggests the next-gen iPhone could include a new ‘Mogul’ camera mode. This secret feature, he says, allows video recording at a staggering 120 frames-per-second.

“We have discovered that Apple is designing a new iPhone camera feature called “Mogul” mode. A mogul is defined as a powerful person in a media industry, making the word a perfect codename (or even a marketing name) for a new iPhone camera feature. The discovery, shared with us by Hamza Sood, comes by way of hidden references inside of the latest iOS 7 betas.
According to our analysis and testing of the code, “Mogul” is a feature in development that allows the iPhone to capture video at an exceptionally fast and precise rate. Specifically, our testing indicates that the feature can allow the iPhone to record video at a rate of 120 frames-per-second (FPS). The resolution at which this 120FPS video could be recorded at, however, is currently unclear.”

Capturing video at 120FPS will give the users the ability to record videos in slow-motion.. But let us be honest such feature already done by a lot of smartphones like oPro Hero3 and Samsung’s Galaxy S4. Video captured at a fast rate, and replayed at standard speed appears much slower. 

Check out Samsung Galaxy's S4 slow motion video ad: 

With such feature on iPhone 5S I think it will be a great thing.. WHat do you think ?

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What would it take for you to upgrade from your iPhone 5 ?

It’s arguably the worst kept secret in modern technology. In fact, it’s hard to really call it a secret anymore, because anyone with even a passing knowledge of smartphones will know that Apple tends to announce and release new iPhones around August/September/October time.

That’s why rumors start to really heat up around now, and photos of supposed screens, random cables attachments and claimed rear covers begin cropping up with increasing frequency. It’s as predictable as night turning to day, and we love it.

One of the perennial questions though is one that I’m being asked on a regular basis, and not just by techy types. The question is a simple one: what will Apple announce and will I want to buy it?

What that really boils down to is a simple idea, and that’s whether Apple will announce aniPhone 5S, or a shiny new iPhone 6. Regardless of which actually happens, what will it take for you to dump that iPhone 5?

Now we’re not really the best people to ask about that. Most of the iDB team will be upgrading regardless of new features, or indeed the result of a sanity check. This writer went through five different smartphones last year alone, so it’s safe to say that we’re not averse to chopping in our handsets, but we’re not exactly typical users. It’s you, dear reader, that has us intrigued. At what point do you decide that yes, that feature is what I’ve been waiting for and yes, Mr Cook, please take my money. It’s a highly emotive question, and one we wouldn’t dare answer for you – that’s what we have the comments section for, after all – but do allow us to post one or two possibilities, won’t you?

One rumor that just won’t go away, or at least we thought it had and then it reared its oversized head, is the belief that Apple’s next iPhone will grow once again. After years of iPhones sitting at the rather miniscule 3.5-inch form factor, the iPhone 5 saw a jump to a 4-inch display. Could Apple move along so soon? We’d argue not, but we must admit to it being a damn good reason to upgrade from an iPhone 5 and it’d be top of our list for sure. Not too big, obviously – we’re not talking Galaxy Note proportions. Oh heavens no, just something a little more beefy.

If screen size doesn’t float your boat, what about a fingerprint scanner? There’s almost no chance of this actually happening as far as we’re concerned, but seeing as the rumor won’t die, we assume someone somewhere actually wants it to happen. Are you that person? Does being able to unlock your iPhone with the power of the ridges in your thumb fill you with glee?

We didn’t think so.

For us, the biggest change that Apple could make to the iPhone is already upon us, and we’ve spoken about it at length for a while now. When the new iPhone reaches stores later this year, we suspect that iOS 7 will be the biggest change that users will notice, assuming Apple sticks to its iPhone – iPhone S cadence, that is.

And with iOS 7 chugging along happily on the iPhone 5, we’re not sure that the compelling reason to upgrade will be quite as compelling as we’d like.

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New Purported iPhone 5S Batteries Shown On Pictures

As most of you know, Apple right now is working on its new generation iPhone which said to be called iPhone 5S. Today we've got some pictures from a French blog, a tray of batteries on an assembly line, allegedly for the upcoming iPhone 5S and suggesting Apple’s manufacturing partners are now prepping to assemble the device in time for its rumored Fall introduction.

In the past few months, all rumors I have heard were suggesting Apple's next generation iPhone to sports a twelve-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash for improved low-light photos, a new A7 chip and slightly revised internals, all encased in the familiar iPhone 5 form factor…

NowWhereElse.fr published the above and below pictures, and as you can see the batteries appears to have the same size like the current iPhone 5...

That being said, you’re advised to apply a dose of skepticism as we can’t tell for sure whether or not these batteries came from Apple’s supply chain. Eagle-eyed readers could also point these things lack any markings, so we also can’t decipher their capacity.

So what do you think ? Can we see Apple's iPhone 5S has the same design from outside just like the iPhone 5 ? But with a better performances ? 

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This Might Be The First Photo Of The iPhone 5S Display On An Assembly Line

G4Games has posted a photo from the Chinese blogging site Weibo, that allegedly shows the iPhone 5S front display on an assembly line.

We’ve seen a few pictures of the iPhone 5S front display, but until now, no one has seen these parts actually used on an assembly line.

While the pictures are surely a sign that Apple is making progress on the manufacturing end of the iPhone 5S, that does not guarantee iPhone 5S launch is coming within the next few weeks. It takes months of lead time to make enough iPhones for a launch, so we have no reason to expect an earlier iPhone launch than the currently rumored timeframe of this Fall.

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Additional iPhone 5S spyshots suggest all-new A7 chip

MacRumors last week shared a genuinely-looking photograph believed to picture the back of the iPhone 5S. Virtually identical to the current iPhone 5, the image did tell us that Apple’s upcoming S-upgrade will sport dual-LED flash for better low-light photos, especially coupled with a rumored twelve-megapixel camera. Today, the publication posted a new high-resolution photo suggesting that the upcoming iPhone revision could run a brand new A7 chip rather than a variant of the existing A6 silicon powering Apple’s latest-generation iPhone and iPad…

The top image depicts a prototype iPhone 5S on the left and the current iPhone 5 on the right.

As for the chip, MacRumors observes:

As seen in one photo, the chip carries an Apple model number of APL0698, suggesting that this is indeed intended to be branded as an A7 chip rather than a modification on the A6 chip found in the iPhone 5.

The original A6 chip carried a model number of APL0598, with the A6X found in the fourth-generation iPad carrying an APL5598 model number, demonstrating how Apple varies the first digit for members of a given A-series family and increments the second digit when transitioning to a new family.

Other takeaways include 1GB of Elpida RAM (the same amount seen on the A6) and late-September 2012 manufacturing date based on markings on the chip (making it a rather early prototype).

Dick James and Jim Morrison of chip teardown firm Chipworks were able to determine that a K1A0062 identifier could indicate a new manufacturing source because previous chips had identifiers typically starting with an “N”, which referred to a Samsung part number on the die.

A rumor out of Taiwan this morning suggested that Apple has indeed cut a three-year deal with TSCM to produce next-gen mobile chips for iPhones, iPads and iPods, beginning with the A8 chip in early 2014.

Apple could also be bringing in TSMC as a backup supplier given Samsung’s contract won’t expire until next year and knowing it invested big bucks into technology and capacity of its Austin, Texas facility that exclusively churns out chips for Apple.

There has been some commotion whether or not Apple will introduce a new mobile chip revision with the iPhone 5S or opt for a small ‘X-type’ upgrade. If history is anything to go by, the iPhone 5S should run the A7 chip indeed, just like prior S-upgrades.

For example, the iPhone 4 was based on the A4 chip, but the iPhone 4S was powered by the more powerful A5 package. In fact, each new iPhone since the iPhone 4 has had a major new A-series chip, with iPads getting revised versions of these chips with more powerful graphics and higher-clocked CPU.

Last year’s iPad 3, for example, debuted with the A5X chip inside, which was replaced with the speedier A6X silicon that powers the fourth-generation iPad. The A6X chip itself is a more powerful version of the A6 silicon that powers the iPhone 5.

Therefore, it’s fairly safe to assume that the next iPhone – the iPhone 5S – will run the A7 chip, with the faster A7X variant likely to make its way inside the iPad 5.

The question is, will Apple be able to get away with another S-upgrade?

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