New iPhones Still Expected to Launch in June/July, Fingerprint Sensor for iPhone 5S?

[MacRumors]

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new research report claiming that Apple is expected to unveil its iPhone 5S and lower-cost iPhone alongside iOS 7 this June, with the devices coming available in July. Versions supporting the time-division duplexing (TDD) standard used by China Mobile are said to follow in September.

We expect Apple will introduce its new iPhones and iOS7 in June, and start shipping the new iPhones (5S and low-cost model) in the FDD version in July. Both dates are earlier than last year's roadmap. We attribute this to: (1) an effort to avoid repeating the fatal mistake of last year of the delayed iPhone 5 launch, which gave competitors room to grab market share; and (2) the new iPhones this year are mainly designed on the basis of the current iPhone 5, which suggests development time could be reduced.

Kuo says that all of the new iPhone models, including the lower-cost iPhone, will support LTE, with differentiation coming in other specs.

[W]e expect the product differentiation between iPhone 5S and iPhone 5 will be: (1) computing power, with iPhone 5S to run on the faster A7 application processor; (2) the camera, with iPhone 5S being equipped with Smart Flash, ensuring photo quality using white or yellow flash according to lighting conditions; (3) iPhone 5S will have a fingerprint chip under the Home button, improving security and usability; and (4) the low-cost iPhone 5 hybrid casing of fiberglass and plastic will make it lighter and slimmer than general plastic casing and easier to make in various colors. However, we still think it will be heavier than iPhone 5S, which will have an aluminum casing. Thus, even form factor will be an area of differentiation.

Kuo's iPhone claims are very similar to ones he laid out in his 2013 Apple product roadmap back in mid-January, but the fresh report suggests that Apple is still on track and his fresh comments on a TDD iPhone suggest that Apple may indeed be very close to bringing the iPhone to China Mobile, the world's largest carrier.

Kuo has a rather solid track record, having accurately predicted a number of Apple product announcements in recent years. As a result, his research reports have been followed with increasing interest.

Article Link: New iPhones Still Expected to Launch in June/July, Fingerprint Sensor for iPhone 5S?

[IbisDoc]

If that's really the new iPhone, Apple's stock drops below $400. Maybe far below.

[w00t951]

Hello, Key Lime Pie Nexus. Nice to meet you. Oh, you're not on contract either? Even better.

[camnchar]

My phone has enough fingerprint smudges on it.

[efktd]

Right on time for when us 4S owners are eligible for an upgrade.

[irDigital0l]

Bigger screen or revamped iOS 7.

That's all I want.

[adcx64]

Fingerprint sensor seems silly.

I don't buy this rumor.

[carl0sian]

oh boy....i can't wait for the next iPhone 5. I love iOs and hope it gets a major overhaul/improvement.....but i just read an article that says the next samsung S4 will have eye motion detection technology. Don't really see the significance of it.....but if works wonders as the article stated it would do (i.e. you'll be able to scroll through webpages with your eyes) then I truly think Samsung will have leaped over Apple in the smartphone technology with that feature.

[Dwalls90]

WHY THINNER? It's getting a little ridiculous.

[Rogifan]

Originally Posted by carl0sian

oh boy....i can't wait for the next iPhone 5. I love iOs and hope it gets a major overhaul/improvement.....but i just read an article that says the next samsung S4 will have eye motion detection technology. Don't really see the significance of it.....but if works wonders as the article stated it would do (i.e. you'll be able to scroll through webpages with your eyes) then I truly think Samsung will have leaped over Apple in the smartphone business with that feature.

If a fingerprint sensor is stupid this is even more gimmicky.

[Jakintosh™]

With specs like that on the next iPhone, I'm really hoping software (iOS7) is the focus of this years upgrade.

[irDigital0l]

Originally Posted by Rogifan

If a fingerprint sensor is stupid this is even more gimmicky.

Not really, it actually seems quite useful.

As you look down the page automatically scrolls.

[Wicked1]

If you want to call that an upgrade go ahead, I have the 5 and not much different. They need to stop with the S model phones, they are not the only good game in town anymore, time to produce a solid phone every year Apple.

[iCaleb]

When its time for an upgrade for my 4s I will get the normal 5 and save some money.

[pianophile]

I can't believe all the negativity about the fingerprint sensor rumor. Am I the only iPhone user that's sick and tired of the tap-tap-tap-tap of typing that damn pin every time I want to use my phone?

This is going to be so cool:

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/pho...unlock-1104176

[Rogifan]

Originally Posted by irDigital0l

Not really, it actually seems quite useful.

As you look down the page automatically scrolls.

Call me skeptical that it would actually work smoothly. Maybe it would be cool for people who don't have use of their hands. For me using my finger to scroll up and down works just fine.

[komodrone]

Originally Posted by adcx64

Fingerprint sensor seems silly.

I don't buy this rumor.

makes complete sense to me. Apple purchased the fingerprint company. People hate typing in their passcodes. Tap on screen to unlock == super awesome. I can also imagine a guest mode feature. If someone else taps on the screen, your phone will enter guest mode.

[Rogifan]

Originally Posted by Wicked1

If you want to call that an upgrade go ahead, I have the 5 and not much different. They need to stop with the S model phones, they are not the only good game in town anymore, time to produce a solid phone every year Apple.

What exactly are you looking for hardware wise? 5" 1080p screen?

[saving107]

A new iPhone usually launches along side a new iOS.

iOS usually goes through 2-3 months of beta testing before it gets released.

So if apple doesn't announce iOS 7 in the next month then I wouldn't expect a new iPhone by June.

[Moonjumper]

The cheaper phone would dominate if there were no other differences than that. Most people wouldn't miss any of the extra features of the expensive phone, certainly less than they would miss the extra cash in their pocket.

[Vermillion9494]

Originally Posted by irDigital0l

Not really, it actually seems quite useful.

As you look down the page automatically scrolls.

It'd only be useful if it's transparent to the user, otherwise it's just a gimmick. If I have to hold my phone perfectly still while staring at the phone with bug eyes, than there's an obvious issue.

[newyorksole]

I'm gonna assume the iPhone 5S will be out this Summer and will have fingerprint sensor technology as well as a 12MP camera and A6X processor.

Oh and iOS 7.

[nepalisherpa]

Hardware-wise, I am satisfied with iPhone 5. I just want to see what Apple does with iOS7.

[BSoares]

How can the plastic / fiber glass one weigh more than the glass / metal one?

I call BS on this rumor.

[saturn79]

Am I the only one here who thinks a fingerprint sensor is actually an awesome addition to the next iPhone? Seriously, it will make unlocking your secured iPhone much faster and easier.