American technology giant Apple is reportedly prepping to release its iPhone 5 successor with fingerprint sensor and NFC capabilities.
Mac Rumours citing China Times as its source reported that the Cupertino-based firm has inked a deal with Chipbond, a Taiwanese chip maker to source a number of components for the upcoming iPhone 5S which include the touch display driver, chips to support fingerprint sensor and near field communications (NFC) capabilities.
"Taiwanese chip firm Chipbond has been selected to provide a number of components for the iPhone 5S, including the touch display driver as well as chips to support fingerprint sensor and near field communications (NFC) capabilities," as reported by Mac Rumours.
Reports of a fingerprint sensor for the iPhone 5S had emerged after the company acquired Authentec, a firm which deals with fingerprinting technology, in a $356 million deal in July 2012.
Earlier reports suggested that Apple was prepping a low-cost iPhone model for release this year. The cheaper iPhone will resemble the standard model, but may substitute the regular aluminium case with a polycarbonate plastic chassis. Apple is yet to confirm the details regarding the specs and launch of the next-generation iPhone. It is speculated that the smartphone will be release soon considering Apple's declining current market.
Ming-Chi Kuo, analyst at KGI Securities, had earlier said that iPhone 5S is likely to sport new features like a snappier processor and a massive 13-megapixel camera, besides the fingerprint sensor.
