What to expect from Apple's iPhone 5S launch

THE unveiling of the new iPhone 5S is just days away so naturally the rumour mill has gone into overdrive.
Here's what we can expect on Wednesday's launch:

1. The fingerprint scanner

It has long been rumoured that the new iPhone would include a thumbprint scanner as a form of biosecurity. Today newly leaked images of the alleged upcoming phone depict a silver "ring" around the iPhone's black home button.

Photos of the packaging were leaked by Chinese tech site Ctechcn.com. The authenticity of the images have not been confirmed, but the design confirms an image description espoused by Fox News reporter Clayton Morris on technology podcast TWIT last month.



IPHONE 5S FINGERPRINT SCANNER CONCEPT




Designer Martin Hajek also released a "Lord of Ring" photo gallery featuring mock-ups of the iPhone 5S also including a round silver fingerprint scanner that sits along the circumference of the black "home" button.
2. A bargain-basement iPhone 5C
Apple is expected to release a low cost (or lower cost) iPhone on Wednesday. The phone will reportedly come in a number of colours and contain a plastic body, though the internals will be the same as what can be found in the current iPhone 5. The iPhone 5C is rumoured to cost about $99 subsidised (at least in the US market), and $350 if purchased off contract, Mashable reports.
Many have speculated that the 5C is designed to appeal to the Chinese market in order to compete with its other mobile phone providers, namely Samsung. The China market is essential for Apple if it is to compete with Android's market share. (Android phones currently make up 79 per cent of the smartphone market globally, according to a report from research firm, IDC).
3. A gold iPhone

Apple is reportedly adding a new colour to its mix and soon customers will be able to choose between black, white and gold iPhone 5S models. It's unclear at this point whether the gold iPhone will be part of Apple's low-cost range or if it will be a separate "premium" model.







4. New iPad Mini

Images of what is purported to be a new-look iPhone mini were leaked online bytroublemaking Aussie Apple "insider", Sonny Dickson. The new iPad will reportedly be slightly narrower than previous models, by roughly two-thirds of an inch. The current iPad mini is 18.5cm wide, whereas the new model is said to be just 17cm wide. The tech specs are almost identical to details that were leaked in a YouTube video last week.



NEW IPAD 5 PARTS LEAKED! (FIRST LOOK




However, the latest images do not have the plastic insert for radio antennas seen in previously leaked images

5. Apple TV software upgrade

No, Apple is not expected to be releasing its long-anticipated television set. For those not in the know, Apple TV is the name given to its set top box that allows customers to watch films, TV shows and a host of other media available in its iTunes store on their TV.