iPhone 5S Image Leak Could be the Real Deal (AAPL)

Is this the first spoiler for Apple's AAPL long-awaited surprise announcement? The company has yet to confirm if and when it will unveil a new smartphone, though it did reveal that it will finally bring the iPhone 5 to Virgin Mobile in the United States. Despite the secrecy toward future iDevices -- which were mysteriously absent from Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference last week -- most bloggers, analysts and consumers are convinced that another iPhone is on the way. Many suspect that two iPhone models are in development, one of which will be a cheaper model that allows Apple to sell more units in emerging markets. The other will be the high-end follow-up to the iPhone 5, which is expected to be called the iPhone 5S. Thus far, no one can confirm the feature differences that will accompany the next iPhone, but many assume that it will be a faster and lighter (but not thinner) device with slightly improved battery life. Occasionally, Siri 2.0 has made it back into the rumor mill, though it might not be a big part of the next iPhone revision. Apple may also choose to ignore its Maps app, which was barely mentioned during the company's presentation lat week. Instead, the Cupertino, California-based tech giant is likely to spend its time focusing on how well the iPhone 5S uses iOS 7, which is more about visualization and customization than innovation. Until consumers know for sure, however, they will continue to speculate about the many ways in which Apple may or may not change the smartphone industry this fall. While there have yet to be any significant image leaks for the low-cost iPhone, MacRumors has obtained two sets of images for what could be the iPhone 5S. The first set was reportedly from the iPhone 5S' new logic board, which is slightly narrower than the logic board featured in the iPhone 5. The second set of images claim to show off the guts and rear of the iPhone 5S, which includes a slightly more powerful battery (perhaps confirming bloggers' expectations) and a "pill-shaped window" in the area of the LED flash. MacRumor speculated that this will be where Apple employs the rumored dual-LED flash feature, which should result in a better photography experience. While Apple is unlikely to confirm or deny that these photos are real, they certainly appear to closely resemble the product that many expect to be released. Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ Source of Image Below: MacRumors