Rumors

Unlike like the previous couple of years which were filled with dreams of tear-dropped iPhones, the start of 2013 has been pretty quiet for the normally busy Apple rumor mill. The end of 2012 put an end to some the biggest Apple rumors with the launch of the iPad 4, the iPad mini, and the long awaited iPhone 5. This is also why Wall Street is predicting a slow start to the new year for Apple, and why AAPL is down even after the company recently announced a record $54.5 billion in revenue.

Apple CEO Tim Cook promised iOS fans some "amazing new products" in the company's quarterly earnings press release released yesterday. Here's what the rumor mill thinks they will be.

iPhone 5S:

Some analysts are promising a 2013 summer release for the iPhone 5S. Apple isn't expected to make any changes to the iPhone's form factor like it did with the iPhone 5, but purported photos of leaked iPhone 5S parts show minor changes to the aluminum chassis. It is also rumored that Apple will offer the iPhone in an iPod touch-like array of colors, and introduce a Home button fingerprint sensor system.

It's bad enough that the mainstream media and blogosphere have been predicting Apple's demise due to supply chain rumors and analyst predictions, but now a new report from BrightWire has some Apple fans really concerned. BrightWire claims Chinese and Taiwanese news sources are reporting that Apple plans to release three new iPhone models in 2013, and one of the models will be called the iPhone Math!

Not only is it hard to believe Apple would pick such a ridiculous sounding name for an iPhone, but many believe the original meaning was lost in translation. However, BrightWire is sticking to its story while reminding people it's only a rumor. According to the original report, Apple plans to release both the iPhone 5S and iPhone Math before the end of June. The iPhone 5S will feature a 4-inch display, while the iPhone Math will sport a larger 4.8-inch display. Both cameras will be equipped with 8 megapixel cameras, and the third unnamed phone will feature a 12 megapixel camera.

Apple's rumored low-cost iPhone could feature a "chassis mixed with plastic and metal" instead of the reinforced glass or unibody metal used for the current models, according to a report by the DigiTimes.

Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal both claim Apple is working on a $99 to $149 “entry-level” iPhone to "attract customers in developing nations". It also believed the more affordable iPhone will be made available in the U.S. sometime this year.

Previous rumors have suggested that the new iPhone will feature components from older models, a 5-inch display and a new exterior design. The possible older components and plastic body would help Apple keep the cost down for the new model.

It looks like the media will have to pick a new name for Apple's rumored low-cost iPhone, which has been dubbed the "iPhone mini" by some analysts. According to a report by the DigiTimes, Apple is planning to launch a "low-cost version of the iPhone for China and other emerging markets in the second half of 2013". However, sources in the supply chain claim the new iPhone will feature a larger display, instead of being a smaller version of the iPhone 5. If the rumor is true, Apple could use older components, like it did with the iPad mini, to keep the cost down.

Some analysts believe Apple needs to release an affordable iPhone to compete with Samsung, who is expected to see a 35% growth over the next 12 months, according to Strategy Analytics.

“We expect Samsung to slightly extend its lead over Apple this year because of its larger multitier product portfolio,” Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, told Reuters.

Brian J. White of Topeka Capital Markets said in a report that he believes Apple will release the iPhone 5S in May or June, but will not release the iPhone mini until next year.

Deutsche Telekom is rumored to be working on a deal to bring the iPhone to its U.S. subsidiary. Merrill Lynch's Scott Craig told investors "speculation is heightening" that the telecommunications company will announce a deal with Apple at next week's analysts day.

T-Mobile has been working on expanding its high-speed HSPA+ network, and even offers free iPhone support, and iPhone nanoSIMs to its customers using unlocked devices. It has been estimated that T-Mobile is carrying nearly a million unlocked iPhones on its network.