Kevin Bostic
High-resolution photos of what may be components from Apple's next-generation iPhone have leaked to the Internet, with multi-colored SIM trays adding to rumors that the so-called "iPhone 5S" will be available in more than just black and white.
Images of a loudspeaker bracket, ear speaker bracket, vibrating motor assembly, Wi-Fi flex cable ribbon, and SIM card tray were given to BGR by a trusted source. Even should they prove real, the new components reveal little beyond the truism that Apple is working on a successor to the iPhone 5; any potential functionality of such a device cannot be discerned from the components.
The leak contains two SIM card trays, one in gray and the other in a golden or beige hue. Should these indeed prove to be iPhone components, the differently-colored SIM card trays could indicate that the next iPhone will be available in multiple colorways beyond the current black and white. Such rumors have previously arisen, with estimates of the number of available colors ranging from three to eight.
Rumors abound as to the capabilities of Apple's next handset. It is presumed that, since it came after a major hardware change, the iPhone 5 successor will be more of an incremental update, adding some new features but retaining the same overall design.
Previous off-year updates included the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4S. In the case of the iPhone 3GS, the 'S' stood for Speed, while with the 4S it stood for Siri, the virtual assistant introduced with that model. With the presumed 5S, the S could stand for Security, as Apple is said to be working on a fingerprint-scanning home button that would allow for secure purchases and access.
Possible "iPhone 5S" components have been leaking for months now, as speculation builds that Apple will soon release a new smartphone. Previous leaks have shown off supposed camera components, vibration motors, and a home button.
Occasionally, these leaks contain information on a supposed launch date for the next iPhone. Earlier in the year, the summer was a popular option, with the assumption that Apple would move to a more aggressive release schedule with its iPhone in order to counter Samsung's rise.
Apple CEO Tim Cook appeared during the company's last conference call to silence those rumors, though. Speaking on when Apple fans might expect new products, Cook pointed to the fall of 2013, saying that the company has "surprises in the works" for that time frame and throughout 2014.
Amber Neely
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
30 Comments
Many details are getting leaked. We are missing the surprises.
I would really like to see the iPhone come in anodized colored aluminum/glass. It would really set it apart from previous iPhone designs. I'd even go for the same colors as the iPad Touch...or very similar colors. I'd hate to just see black, white, and gold or something silly like that. I would take an orange or green one! I can upgrade next month, but I'll wait for the next iPhone before doing so.
Please stop saying colorways.
I probably mentioned this before but, what ever happened to AppleInsider living up to the "Insider" part? It's becoming increasingly obvious that this site has no real journalists who dig for true inside information. Sources? Not very good really. Haven't really seen anything new from this sites "reporting" in a very long time. Regurgitating things from other websites does not qualify as good original reporting. Laziness, yes, it qualifies. Either Apple has really tightened the lid on information or AppleInsider decided to stop working very hard for it's readers. Perhaps the site should be renamed to AppleWebRumors?
Based on the beige tray, I would say this is evidence of there *not* being coloured iPhone 5s's.
Beige doesn't go with other colours very well and is more likely to be the body of a phone with a standard black or white front. If they were going to offer blue, red, green etc. then the tray wouldn't be beige would it?
Also, beige is synonymous with 'tacky" "low cost" "tasteless" etc. I would doubt that even Apple could make beige "cool."
I see this as either a hoax/mistake or part of a third (grey?) option and not necessarily the introduction of "colours" per se.