First Claimed Images of iPhone 5S Rear Shell Surface

[MacRumors]

Parts firm ETrade Supply has posted several photos of what it believes may be the rear shell for next-generation iPhone, which we are referring to as the iPhone 5S in accordance with Apple's recent pattern of naming the devices.

The part is extremely similar to that from the iPhone 5, in line with Apple's pattern of maintaining a given body style for two generations before making more significant modifications. This iPhone 5S part is, however, distinctly different from its iPhone 5 counterpart in several ways, most obviously in the arrangement of the screw holes for attaching the logic board.

Comparison of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5 rear shells with logic board screw holes boxed in red

Aside from the logic board screw holes, there are other subtle differences between the two parts highlighted in purple, blue, and yellow in the photo comparison.

The exterior of the shell contains the same text as seen on the iPhone 5, with placeholders being used for the various model, IMEI, and regulatory identifiers.

Given that the origin of the photos is unknown, it is certainly possible that this part is an old iPhone 5 prototype design that was discarded in favor of the design that was ultimately used. Alternatively, the part could also be a fake or a knockoff, although at a glance the part seems to show similar levels of quality to that seen on the genuine iPhone 5 part and a knockoff part intended to be used for replacement on iPhone 5 devices would be certain to retain the arrangement of logic board screw holes.

A pair of reports from DigiTimes last month indicated that trial production on the iPhone 5S is already underway with Apple targeting the "middle of 2013" for a launch.

Article Link: First Claimed Images of iPhone 5S Rear Shell Surface

[iapplelove]

here we go.

[ECUpirate44]

I'm not buying this "middle of 2013" stuff for a second.

[Meandmunch]

Waaaay too soon to start these rumors. I guess this is a rumor site, my bad.

[Dwalls90]

Originally Posted by ECUpirate44

I'm not buying this "middle of 2013" stuff for a second.

Why?

It's been made clear the 12-15 month cycle was too slow. I think we'll see new iDevices every 9 or less months from here on out to keep up.

I'd rather see a NEW iPhone 6, 7, 8, ect. every year, and an "S" as a halfway mark upgrade.

[smallnshort247]

Eh, and here we go

[iMcLovin]

Ah finally. My iphone 5 has all ready a few scuffs and I'm eager for a new phone all ready.

[Imac&SoShouldU]

Originally Posted by iMcLovin

Ah finally. My iphone 5 has all ready a few scuffs and I'm eager for a new phone all ready.

Idk if you're serious or not, but thanks for the laugh!

[Youknowitsme]

Originally Posted by Dwalls90

Why?

It's been made clear the 12-15 month cycle was too slow. I think we'll see new iDevices every 9 or less months from here on out to keep up.

I'd rather see a NEW iPhone 6, 7, 8, ect. every year, and an "S" as a halfway mark upgrade.

I agree with you. If you don't like the minor upgrade the the "S" brings then don't buy it. I'll stick with buying the variable less iPhones

[guzhogi]

Originally Posted by Dwalls90

Why?

It's been made clear the 12-15 month cycle was too slow. I think we'll see new iDevices every 9 or less months from here on out to keep up.

I'd rather see a NEW iPhone 6, 7, 8, ect. every year, and an "S" as a halfway mark upgrade.

No offense, but this is one thing I don't like. Too many people are obsessed with "new" and change for the sake of change. Unless the new phone gives you a feature you need or fixes a problem you have, why do we want/need something new & different?

[Xenomorph]

The Nexus 4 disappointed (no LTE), so my next phone is looking like the iPhone 5S.

[Woodcrest64]

Originally Posted by guzhogi

No offense, but this is one thing I don't like. Too many people are obsessed with "new" and change for the sake of change. Unless the new phone gives you a feature you need or fixes a problem you have, why do we want/need something new & different?

I agree with guzhogi. However our society is so caught up in having the latest and greatest product. I will admit that I too get excited about the latest gear. Only difference is I don't buy every release of the iPhone.

There are people here who do well in selling their older stuff to make up most of the cost of the newer phone. I like to skip enough models so that when I do upgrade there is some significant changes in both UI design and hardware.

I got bored of iOS because there really hasn't been anything super exciting for me to continue to use it. I jumped ship last year and I've been happy ever since. My Galaxy S2 LTE should last me for a while considering I came from a iPhone 3G with iOS 3.1.3 which become unbearable to use due to crashing and bad UI lag from its outdated hardware and being upgraded to the latest iOS release for it.

[Lancer]

I was all set to buy the 5, but then Apple updated iTunes so you needed an Intel Mac (now on it's way in the form of a new 27" iMac) but looking at this I might try and get some more life out of my 3Gs and wait for the 5s

[pachecorigo]

Originally Posted by guzhogi

No offense, but this is one thing I don't like. Too many people are obsessed with "new" and change for the sake of change. Unless the new phone gives you a feature you need or fixes a problem you have, why do we want/need something new & different?

cuz i like new **** lol

[stuffradio]

Originally Posted by guzhogi

No offense, but this is one thing I don't like. Too many people are obsessed with "new" and change for the sake of change. Unless the new phone gives you a feature you need or fixes a problem you have, why do we want/need something new & different?

I'm still on my iPhone 4. I'm ready to upgrade in September 2014. Only a year and a bit away.

[3bs]

Originally Posted by Dwalls90

Why?

It's been made clear the 12-15 month cycle was too slow. I think we'll see new iDevices every 9 or less months from here on out to keep up.

I'd rather see a NEW iPhone 6, 7, 8, ect. every year, and an "S" as a halfway mark upgrade.

Me too but folks in the US who buy phones on contract probably don't like this.

[wkadamsjr]

Originally Posted by 3bs

Me too but folks in the US who buy phones on contract probably don't like this.

I'm in the US and buy on contract. No need to upgrade to a new iPhone sooner than every two years. Keyword being need. Complainers will always find reasons to complain, though.

[kalsta]

Originally Posted by Dwalls90

Why?

It's been made clear the 12-15 month cycle was too slow. I think we'll see new iDevices every 9 or less months from here on out to keep up.

I'd rather see a NEW iPhone 6, 7, 8, ect. every year, and an "S" as a halfway mark upgrade.

You're not the only one according to this poll I ran a while ago (after all the complaining when the 4th gen iPad came out to be specific!) Note that 6 months or less gets 37.5% of the overall vote.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1473928

[ixodes]

As I see it, there's truly good news here. The sooner this upcoming model is released, the sooner Apples on to the next one.

If there's any chance Apple may catch up to Samsung & include a modern sized display, 2014 may be the year.

[Feed Me]

Originally Posted by ECUpirate44

I'm not buying this "middle of 2013" stuff for a second.

People said this when Digitimes reported an autumn 2012 release for the iPad 4... but they turned out to be (annoyingly) right. I wouldn't dismiss this out of hand.

[Rogifan]

What would the 5S have that the 5 doesn't? Especially when it's highly unlikely we'll see any major changes to iOS this soon. I get what they did with the 4th gen iPad switching to the new doc connector. But with a new iPhone this soon what would be different other than it being faster than the 5? And is the 5 really slow anyway?

[animatedude]

awesome! it's Silver ALUMINUM instead of the awful slate color...

[jamesryanbell]

Originally Posted by ECUpirate44

I'm not buying this "middle of 2013" stuff for a second.

They did it with iPad THE SAME YEAR, and that wasn't a one-off decision because of the lightning connector update. That was a processor upgrade, and one they couldn't waited on. I say 5S in summer. We'll see. Not afraid to say I was wrong.

[paradox00]

Originally Posted by ECUpirate44

I'm not buying this "middle of 2013" stuff for a second.

You probably didn't buy the rumors of a new iPad in fall 2012 either then. It still happened, so could this.

[KdParker]

Originally Posted by ECUpirate44

I'm not buying this "middle of 2013" stuff for a second.

would be nice to go back to the release dates of end of June for IOS and iPhone.