Apple iPhone 5S Could Have Biometric Security, Faster Processor

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a study on Tuesday predicting Apple's product release plans for 2013. Kuo, who has had a solid track record in the past, predicts that Apple will release both an iPhone 5S and a redesigned iPhone 5 sometime in the third quarter of this year.

Kuo also noted that he expects the iPhone 5S to look similar to its counterpart, though it will offer a few upgrades including a faster A7 processor, fingerprint sensor, and camera improvements (f2.0 aperture and a smart LED flash).

The analyst also predicts that the new-cost friendly iPhone 5 will be very similar to the original handset, although it will come in a thicker package 8.2-mm compared to 7.6-mm. To save money, the casing will supposedly be plastic instead of metal.

Kuo says the fourth-generation iPod touch will be discontinued and be replaced with a less-expensive version of the fifth-generation handheld. This will also supposedly happen in Q3.