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Analyst reaffirms own iPhone 5S with fingerprint sensor & Smart Flash claims, hints at July launch, China Mobile variant

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Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has re-affirmed his January claims regarding Apple’s 2013 iPhone roadmap, as noted by MacRumors. As he previously said, Kuo expects Apple to release both an iPhone 5S and a lower-cost iPhone later this year. Kuo adds that the launch is expected to occur this July after an announcement in June alongside iOS 7.

The “iPhone 5S,” following in the footsteps of the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4S, is expected to retain the new design of the iPhone 5, but it will add a smaller, faster processor (presumably an “A7″ chip”), an improved LED “SmartFlash” sensor on the back, and a tweaked camera sensor. Kuo also adds that a China Mobile-compatible version of the “5S” will be released by September.

Most interestingly, the reported highlight feature of the device is said to be a finger-print sensor. Kuo maintains his earlier predictions that this fingerprint sensor will sit beneath the iPhone 5S’s home button. Presumably, this sensor will be able to be used to unlock the device and be used as a replacement mechanism for passwords.

As others have also reported, Kuo is expecting a lower-cost iPhone to also launch this year. The design is, once again, expected to be a hybrid of plastic and metal casings. The phone will supposedly be slightly thicker and heavier in comparison to the current iPhone 5 and rumored iPhone 5S.

Earlier this year, Kuo also predicted that Apple will discontinue non-Retina models of the MacBook Pro, release faster iMacs and Mac Minis (in Q4 2013), and tweak the iPod touch and Apple TV by the end of the year.

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