iPhone 5S rumored for August release,China Times

An Apple store in Hong Kong. (Photo/Xinhua)The next version of Apple's iPhone — the iPhone 5S — could hit the market this August, according to iMore.com, a US technology website dedicated to Apple product information.

The appearance of iPhone 5S reportedly will be quite similar to its predecessor, the iPhone 5, but will be equipped with a more advanced processor and camera. It is also said that Taiwan-based Foxconn, Apple's main contract manufacturer, has started manufacturing the new devices in China on the same production line as the iPhone 5 due to the similarity between the two phones.

Alleged iPhone 5S pictures have already been circulating online. Some Analysts expect that Foxconn will start mass producing the iPhone 5S in March and launch the smartphone in June or July. However, based on the previous experience of the iPhone 4S, the revamped version of the iPhone 4, it appears unlikely that the iPhone 5S will offer fans many surprises.

Another circulating rumor says that Apple's next-generation iPad will be a 10-inch tablet, while a new version of its seven-inch iPad mini could be launched as early as next month.