Latest leaked Apple iPhone 5S photos focus on new chip

A lot of the iPhone 5S talk these past few weeks has focused primarily on the supposed dual-LED camera flash being spotted in leaked photos.

While there have been a few shots of the possible insides and casing of the new Apple handset, there's still been little confirmation about what hardware the latest iteration of the iPhone will be rocking.

On Monday that changed, when MacRumors got its hands on some leaked shots of the inner-workings of what could be the iPhone 5S.

Even though there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of information to glean from just a few images, the new processor is in clear focus, giving us an idea of just what kind of chip will be powering the next iPhone.

Lucky number seven

Earlier leaked images from the site didn't provide a clear look at the potential processor beyond a "1243" code, which indicated the prototype build was from October 2012.

These latest shots provide a better look at the chip inside, and indicate the iPhone 5S may indeed be packing an ARM A7 processor.

The etched codes on the border of the new chip read "APL0698," which falls in line with the A6's "APL0598" designation, and the A6X's "APL5598" (found in the new iPad) branding.

Additionally, it's possible to see the "1239" marking for the 1GB of DRAM, suggesting that portion of the chip was crafted in September 2012, with the completed prototype phone reportedly being put together in December 2012.

This isn't the first time we've heard reports about an iPhone coming with an A7 processor, but it is the first time we've heard such tales about the iPhone 5S rather than the iPhone 6.

However, since the prototype model's chip doesn't have the same tiered numbering as the A6X processor, it's certainly within reason to speculate the iPhone 5S will be the recipient of the next ARM chip upgrade.

Win some, lose Samsung

In May, we first heard reports Samsung would no longer be responsible for the manufacturing of Apple's processors, with TSMC ready to step in and take over.

The new chip spotted in these leaked photos may provide some truth to those rumors, as new markings for the manufacturer don't fall in line with previous Samsung etchings.

The "K1A0062" tag is a mysterious one, as Samsung's codes typically begin with an "N," but it's not exactly clear to which company the "K" belongs.

It's entirely possible TSMC could be prepped to take over production for Apple's chips, but that would go against the previous belief the Taiwanese manufacturer wouldn't step in until 2014.

Whatever Apple's true plans, we likely won't learn more until later this year, but at least now we've got some more potential details on the iPhone 5S beyond its new camera.

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