iPhone 5s

There doesn't seem to be a need for multicolored iPhones since most people prefer to use a case, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from insisting they're a possibility. The Japanese blog Macotakara claims both the rumored iPhone 5S, and low-cost iPhone, will be available in an array of rainbow-like colors this fall.

According to the translated report, the low-cost iPhone will ship in white, pink, green, blue, and yellow-orange, and the so-called iPhone 5S will be available in the standard black and white, plus green and gold. A previously leaked image of two rumored iPhone 5S nanoSIM trays also suggests that the new handset will be available in gray.

Apple is known for retaining the external look and form factor of the iPhone in between major upgrades, tweaking things a little and adding an "S" to the number. Now that more parts have surfaced as Apple prepares its latest smartphone for production, it seems that the iPhone 5S could have more significant design changes in store.

For the most part, these upgrades will be internal while the size and shape of the 5S will remain the same. More evidence has surfaced, however that Apple will release the iPhone 5S in different colors besides silver and black, as a gold SIM card tray matching those previously leaked is included in the latest batch of photos from BGR. So what does Apple have up its sleeve for the next generation iPhone?

Tired of fingerprint scanner rumors? Well get used to them, because it looks like fingerprint sensors are going to be the big iPhone rumor this year. According to the Taiwanese website TechNews, the next-generation iPhone will feature a sapphire crystal capacitive touch home button with fingerprint scanning technology. The iPhone 5 iSight camera is also made with sapphire crystal to cut down on scratches. Using the same material for the home button would help keep the fingerprint sensor intact and functional.

TechNews also claims that the next-generation iPhone will be all small upgrade from the iPhone 5, and will feature a 4-inch display. The Taiwanese website's supply chain sources believe that the so-called "iPhone 5S" will be released sometime in August alongside the rumored budget iPhone. Previous rumors have also suggested that the new iPhone will feature a new 13 megapixel camera with a larger rear flash, and it will be available in an iPod touch-like array of colors.

A document has surfaced on the French site NWE that could point to a summer iPhone 5S release. The details are found in an internal carrier publication purportedly circulated to sales staff at the Japanese carrier KDDI. Assuming the document is authentic, Apple will announce the iPhone 5S in June followed by a July release, with pre-orders coming on June 20.

The leaked information doesn't stop there, however. Employees are briefed on the differences between the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S, with several new features highlighted. The 5S will include a 13 megapixel camera, built-in fingerprint authentication and iOS 7. These items have all been rumored by analysts and from leaks in the component supply chain.

Next-generation iPhone rumors have been scarce and underwhelming this year. The possibility that Apple will release an all-plastic budget iPhone is not really interesting to those who already own an iDevice, and rumors about fingerprint technology isn't really turning many heads. The latest leak, two purported "iPhone 5S" nanoSIM trays posted by Cult of Mac, is not helping create any iPhone mania either.

It is hard to believe Apple would release gold and gray iPhone models. However, Cult of Mac points out that the iPhone 5 nanoSIM trays are silver and black to match the device's color. A gold iPhone would be pretty tacky, and no one is clamoring for a gray smartphone. There has been mention that Apple will offer the next-generation iPhone in an array of different colors like the iPod, but I don't think gold and gray is what people had in mind.