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iPhone 5S could be the first ‘S’ to feature a major hardware revision

Updated May 14th, 2013 11:46AM EDT
iPhone 5S Fingerprint Scanner

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Over the past four years, an obvious pattern has emerged with Apple’s iPhone lineup. First, a redesigned iPhone launches and then the following year, and iterative upgrade makes use of the same external hardware but includes several internal upgrades. But according to a string of reports, including one from an industry watcher with a solid track record, that familiar pattern may change with the iPhone 5S.

Apple’s next-generation iPhone will reportedly feature the same design as its predecessor, but it may include a fingerprint scanner as well. It is unclear exactly what Apple plans to do with the scanner, though one analyst recently said fingerprint scanning technology will be the iPhone 5S’ Siri.

Following these numerous earlier reports, Taiwanese tech blog TechNews on Tuesday published a new report claiming that the next iPhone will indeed include a fingerprint scanner under the home button. According to the site’s supply chain sources, Apple will include a new home button assembly on the iPhone 5S that features a scanner and a sapphire crystal cover. Sapphire crystal, which is often used to cover the dials on wristwatches, has previously been used on Apple’s iPhone 5 to protect the camera.

Apple acquired fingerprint scanning and security firm AuthenTec in 2012 for more than $350 million, so it stands to reason that the company plans to make use of its technology in future products. Whether or not the iPhone 5S will be the first device to include an AutheTec sensor remains to be seen.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.