The iPhone 5S could be the first S upgrade to feature a major hardware upgrade, introducing features like a fingerprint scanner.
Although the iPhone 5S may look very different from the outside as the handset could feature a sapphire crystal touch home button that incorporates a finger print scanner.
According to supply chain sources in Taiwan, the iPhone 5S could use sapphire crystal technology for the bottom portion of the body, which is currently used to protect the iPhone 5 camera. Sapphire crystal has a hardness and durability only bettered by diamond.
Apple could replace the physical home button, a notoriously problematic feature of the current range of iPhone smartphones, with a capacitive touch button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner for additional security feature.
It is unknown whether Apple would use this fingerprint scanner for other purposes aside from security, but one analyst suggested that it could combine somehow with Siri, Apple’s personal assistant.
There have been rumours circulating for many months about Apple introducing a scanner into the next iPhone, especially since it acquired fingerprint scanning and security firm AuthenTec last year for more than $350 million (£229 million).
The iPhone 5S has been thought to offer little over the current iPhone 5 flagship apart from incremental improvements before an iPhone 6 release.
However, last week, an iPhone 6 listing appeared at a Vodafone UK store, suggesting that the next iPhone may skip the “S” instalment altogether.
Rumours for both handsets have suggested that they will play host to the new iOS 7 mobile operating system that looks set to introduce a dramatic new redesign. Apple could launch the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 at next month’s WWDC running from June 10 – 14.
Next, read what iOS 7 features Apple needs to catch Android.
Via: BGR
