Apple to Launch iPhone 5S In 2013?

Its been barely months since Apple launched its newest iPhone model – the iPhone 5 and we already have the first reports on what the next generation iPhone would be like. A Chinese website is reporting that Apple might  release an update to the iPhone 5 (called the iPhone 5S) in the first quarter of 2013 itself – barely 7 months after the release of the iPhone 5. This news has of course come as a surprise to many because it is unusual for Apple to launch an updated iPhone model this soon. The Chinese website however seems to be very confident and insists that the iPhone 5S would launch with a bunch of updated features that Apple missed putting on the iPhone 5.

While Apple is expectedly mum on any of these developments, rumor has it that the company would start trial production of the new iPhone model next month – in December.

All said, there is a section of analysts who do believe that a new iPhone very soon could be a possibility. Earlier this year, Apple had shocked many people after giving the iPad 3 an update – just months after it was announced in early 2012. It is then highly plausible that should Apple feel the need, they can push a new iPhone model soon.

The iPhone 5 has done exceedingly well – even though it was initially criticized for being “not too innovative”. Also, it came preloaded with iOS 6 meaning which people could no longer use Google Maps on it and had to stick with the not that great iOS Maps.

Apple is also under pressure from arch rival Samsung which is also doing exceedingly well with its Android powered Galaxy series of high end smartphones. This could lead to Apple being forced to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new version of the iPhone in the not too distant future.

Do you think Apple would indeed release a new iPhone in early 2013?