Apple to out an iPhone 5S with A7 chip and fingerprint security in June, plus a cheaper fiberglass model
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who has correctly predicted Apple's plans before, now restates that Cupertino is aiming to launch both a souped-up iPhone 5S, and a more affordable iPhone in June.
The iPhone 5S might look and feel like the current Apple flagship, but upgraded with a more powerful A7 SoC, dual LED flash with alternative coloring, which we've heard about before, as well as a fingerprint security method, integrated after its acquiring of AuthenTec last year for $356 million.
The cheaper iPhone is going to add some bulk and heft compared to the premium device, and the chassis is allegedly going to be fused out of fiberglass and plastic.
It will sport LTE radio, but the analyst thinks Apple will be having tailored versions for different carriers like the TD-SCDMA China Mobile, rather than slap Qualcomm's newly-announced chip that combines all radios under the sun: "RF360's customers are OEMs who have no capability to design RF front end and PA by themselves," mentioned the analyst.
The iPhone 5S is also going to arrive in a version for China Mobile subscribers, but the analyst expects the network testing procedures to be done at a later date than the global July launch, namely around September this year, which will serve as a huge boost for the iPhone 5S holiday quarter sales.
source: AppleInsider
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