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Mockup by Falco
As the year progresses and as we get closer to the manufacturing and launches of Apple's next-generation iOS devices (iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches), claimed pieces of evidence for these devices will appear. Today, two rumored pieces of evidence have surfaced.
Purported future-generation iPhone speaker components:
NoWhereElse, who has published accurate photos in the past, has posted images of what it is claiming to be speaker components for two future iPhone generations. The report claims that these components are for an "iPhone 5S" (a next-generation iPhone with an iPhone 5 body), and an iPhone 6 (a redesigned handset). The claim is that the iPhone 5S will arrive this summer while the iPhone 6 is set for early 2014.
We, nor the report, can vouch for the authenticity of these parts. It is important to note, that while NoWhereElse has published accurate photos in the past, the site has been frequently inaccurate with reports based on images.
Additionally, we find it more likely, that if the parts are indeed legitimate, that one would be for the "iPhone 5S" device and the other for the rumored "cheaper" iPhone. Based on several recent reports, it seems likely that Apple's 2013 iPhone strategy is a tweaked iPhone 5 and a cheaper iPhone, not a tweaked iPhone 5 and an iPhone revamp.
iOS 6.1 beta code purportedly points to 128GB iOS devices:
Following the latest beta release of the upcoming iOS 6.1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch operating system, developers have begun tearing away at the software to see what secrets it may hold about the future of Apple's devices. @iNeal made the discovery that iOS 6.1 beta 5 holds a reference to compatibility with 128GB iOS devices. Jeff Benjamin dug up the code that @iNeal is referring to, and he has provided screenshots of the evidence. He notes that iOS 6.0 does not include the "128″ system partition code.
Update: We understand that this 128GB code is also found in iOS 6.1 beta 3, which was released in early December.
Historically, Apple has doubled the available iPhone storage each time it provides a more minor "S" upgrade. For example, with the launch of the iPhone 3GS in 2009, Apple doubled the storage from 8GB and 16GB to 16GB and 32GB. With the iPhone 4S in 2011, Apple introduced a 64GB model. Following this pattern, it would not be far-fetched to assume that Apple is working on a 128GB version of the already-rumored "iPhone 5S" for this year. Additionally, with the aging iPod classic still on the market, it is plausible that Apple would like to introduce a higher-capacity iPod touch so it can finally discontinue the iPod classic.
Apple's "iPhone 5S" is rumored to include a faster processor, 13 megapixel camera sensor, a fingerprint sensor, and an improved camera LED flash system. Numerous reports have also claimed that Apple will introduce a cheaper iPhone this year for emerging markets. That device has been claimed to include a plastic shell, versus the glass and aluminum enclosure of the iPhone 5. A version of the iPad mini with a Retina display and a fifth-generation 9.7-inch iPad with iPad mini design elements have also been rumored to be in the 2013 Apple product roadmap. It seems that all of the devices will be launching in the second half of the year.
