iOS 7 Beta 5 Release Predictions Arrive

The iOS 7 beta 5 release date could take place on August 12th according to a new prediction that assumes Apple is shifting back to the two-week beta time frame as the company prepares for a possible September iOS 7 release date to the public.

Apple is currently testing the iOS 7 update internally and externally to developers and users that use an end-around to get into the iOS 7 beta for $8. The iOS 7 beta allows users to try the new version and test for bugs and app computability.

A Developer Center hack delayed the iOS 7 beta 4 release by a week, but now that the developer portal is mostly online, Apple could be back to their initial 2 week iOS 7 beta release schedule.

Read: What’s New in iOS 7 Beta 4

As we shift into the later iOS 7 beta releases the final version of Apple’s next iPhone and iPad software begins to take shape with small tweaks to the design and dramatically improved performance for the new iOS 7 animations and elements.

Apple publicly promised an iOS 7 release date for this Fall, and leaks indicate that Apple is on track for an iOS 7 update in September after two more betas and a Gold Master, which is essentially a final beta where no major changes are expected.

The IOS 7 beta 4 includes a piece of code that hints at an iPhone 5S with a fingerprint reader built-in to the home button, and future IOS 7 betas could include more hints at new iPhone 5S features and other un-announced iOS 7 features.

The iOS 7 beta 5 could bring offline dictation, something Apple employees are reportedly testing on an internal build, or it could make a surprise appearance at an iPhone 5S launch event.

The new iOS 7 beta 5 release could come on August 12th according to a prediction from iPhoneHacks, which tracks the iOS 7 beta progress and iOS 7 beta expiration dates. The publication does not cite a source with inside information, focusing on the two-week release pattern. Apple did not stick to specific iOS beta release schedule in 2012, so the iOS 7 beta 5 release may come faster or slower than the two-week time period.

That said, it makes sense that Apple is planning to release two more betas and a Gold Master before the possible September release. If all of this lines up the rest of the iOS 7 beta schedule could look like this.

• iOS 7 beta 5 release – August 12th
• iOS 7 beta 6 release – August 26
• iOS 7 GM Release – September 9th

This time-table fits the prediction of an iPhone 5S release date before the end of September. If Apple is planning to meet financial goals with an iPhone 5S release inside Q4 2013 the iPhone 5S release would need to arrive by September 20th. This would put the possible iOS 7 release to the general public on September 18th. This would allow almost two weeks of iOS 7 Gold Master testing ahead of the release.

Read: 100 iPhone Apps to Supercharge Your New iPhone

Apple is reportedly planning a new iPhone called the iPhone 5S for a September release with the same looks and 4-inch screen as the iPhone 5, but with a better camera, faster processor and possible a fingerprint reader.

The iOS 7 update will arrive this fall for the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad mini and iPod touch 5th generation, though not all devices will receive the same features.