Alleged iPhone 5S Pictures Leak

On the heels of previous rumors which stated that the iPhone 5’s successor, presumed to be called the iPhone 5S, would be launching in the middle of next year, comes what could be the first iPhone 5S pictures.

Read: iPhone 5S Release Date & Features: What Not to Expect.

ETrade Supply, courtesy of MacRumors, posted what are allegedly the first photos of what could be called the iPhone 5S. The photos depict the rear pieces of what appear to be an iPhone and quite possibly, that of the next iPhone. The rear shell that is shown in the photos appears to be very similar to the iPhone 5, something that shouldn’t be surprising given Apple’s past, though the rear part definitely looks different than the inside of the iPhone 5.

The photos depict several distinct differences between the part of the iPhone 5 and the one of the supposed iPhone 5S. The most notable difference is the placement of the logic board screws which are highlighted by the red rectangle. The other rectangles showcase some of the other differences between the part from the iPhone 5 and the part from the alleged iPhone 5S.

The alleged iPhone 5S rear shell looks virtually identical to the back shell of the iPhone 5 and it even has placeholders that are used to identify different iPhone models.

Read: iPhone 5S Rumors Arrive, Point to Early 2013 Release.

As with any Apple rumor, it’s safe to take this all with a grain of salt, especially since the iPhone 5 has only been out since September. However, there have been rumors claiming that Apple may be running a test production of the iPhone 5S and may be gearing up for a launch at some point during the middle of 2013. Prior to the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, Apple introduced its new iPhones at WWDC, its year developers conference which takes place in June.

What’s more is that Apple used the iPhone 4 design with the iPhone 4S and it’s likely that Apple may use the iPhone 5 design with the iPhone 5S which would explain the back shell.

It’s also entirely possible that these are from a previous iPhone 5 design or are faked. We likely won’t know for sure until Apple announces the next iPhone at some point next year.