Apple’s next two iPhone models will be named iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, according to a report from Japan-based Macotakara. With repeated reports and rumors of the next-generation iPhone retaining the same design as the iPhone 5, the “iPhone 5S” name has long been claimed and regarded as the name of the new flagship iPhone. Apple’s iPhone 4S and iPhone 3GS retained the designs of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G, respectively.
However, because of Apple’s surprise naming scheme for the third-generation iPad (The new iPad), an outright claim of the name “iPhone 5S” may be important to some interested in the upcoming device.
As for the “iPhone 5C,” this name gained attention when purported packaging materials for the upcoming, lower-cost, plastic iPhone surfaced in photos online. It is unclear what the “C” in “5C” could stand for, but speculation and logic points to the “C” standing for “color.” Like recent iPod touch models, this plastic iPhone is rumored to come in a series of colors…
Following the purported packaging images, BusinessInsider was the first to claim that the plastic iPhone would be named “iPhone 5C.” Last year, Macotakara accurately pinpointed that the smaller iPad would be named “iPad mini,” but with Apple’s past naming schemes for the iPod mini and Mac mini, this was not surprising.
Besides retaining the same design as the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5S will likely include a fingerprint scanner on the Home button for login authentication (perhaps made out of a sapphire crystal material).
Macotakara, today, also claims that the iconic app-icon symbol on the Home button will be removed from the 5S. Perhaps this may avoid user-confusion as the home button will no longer be for controlling apps: it may be for fingerprint scanning as well. However, Apple has not demonstrated a tendency of removing iconic elements from the iPhone: the overall iPhone design has looked largely the same since its debut in 2007.
Besides a fingerprint scanner, it appears that the new iPhone could include improved voice and camera features. This would be inline with past “S” iPhone upgrades. Today’s report seems to corroborate previous claims of the new iPhone retaining an 8 megapixel sensor, but with improved quality:
Interestingly, Macotakara (again) claims that the iPhone 5S will have a gold color option.
Based on Apple planning a plastic iPhone in a number of colors, and the company’s history of only selling black or white iPhone models, this does not make much sense.
Regardless, it seems that we will know all on September 10th.
