iPhone 5s

Rumors of a gold iPhone have been floating around since June, but no one has been taking them seriously, until now. Citing "sources in a position to know," and other blogs such as iMore, the normally reliable John Paczkowski of AllThingsD, claims Apple will release an “elegant gold tone" iPhone in September. But why?

As iMore points out, the rumored iPhone 5S is only expected to receive a bump internally, not externally. Perhaps Apple is just trying to spice up what could potentially be perceived as another "boring" iPhone S model launch by adding a third color option. According to Paczkowski, Apple probably chose gold because it's "the easiest colors to anodize," and it is a "sought-after color option at the higher end of markets like China."

Anyone looking for evidence of changes to the internal design of the next iPhone has been busy lately. Several leaks in recent days have piled on proof of a dual LED flash, sapphire home button, and a gold iPhone 5S in the works. Now Nowhereelse.fr shows off the back panel of the iPhone 5S with several updates over the current model iPhone.

Most interesting are the changes centering around the home button, which can be clearly seen in the photo above. Assuming the part is the real deal, Apple has changed the shape of the home button backplate, also moving the mounting point down on one side. The new part could possibly be designed to retain a fingerprint sensor, and reports have indicated the iPhone 5S will feature a convex sapphire home button.

Another day, another leak showing off parts from the upcoming iPhone 5S. This time Nowhereelse.fr showcases the top glass piece from the back of the device. Pictured in black, this piece clearly shows a larger, pill-shaped hole for the LED flash, right next to the camera lens hole. The revised shape seems to confirm that Apple will include a brighter, dual-LED flash in the next iPhone.

Two LEDs means more light, bringing better illumination to photos that need a flash. MacRumors reported on the iPhone 5S camera module, which does not include an attached flash module. Instead, the LEDs will be a separate component from the camera sensor and lens unit. The current iPhone 5 relies on a single LED flash when taking photos in low light.

Sources have told AllThingsD to keep Tuesday, September 10 open for Apple's next big media event. The company is expected to reveal both the iPhone 5S and a lower-cost smartphone known as the iPhone 5C. Judging from past events, iOS 7 will likely be released for all users around the same time, ahead of the ship date for new iPhone models.

As September 10 approaches, rumors will continue to surface with scheduled event dates at the Moscone Center as well as upcoming vacation blackout dates for Apple employees falling under scrutiny. Although parts have yet to surface, a redesigned sapphire home button including fingerprint sensor technology is a feature reportedly coming to the iPhone 5S, which would undoubtedly steal the show at Apple's event.