Purported iPhone 5S motherboard makes an online appearance

The board made an appearance on Japanese retailer Moumantai's website. It doesn't have any markings for the processor make so it's hard to predict if Apple would use a new processor or continue with the existing line with the A7. Indeed, few other details are apparent from the pictures.

Previously, an image of what was claimed to be a small component of the next generation iPhone's motherboard had leaked online. That image was also originally leaked by Japanese retailer Moumantai and published by French website NoWhereelse.fr, which said that the component was related to the iPhone's camera as it was close to the front and rear camera, and that it looked different from how the same component looks in the iPhone 5. The website had suggested Apple might be updating the camera in the next iPhone version, the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6, or might be just using a different camera in case the component is part of the motherboard of a low priced version of the iPhone. However, MacRumors got in touch with iFixit's Miro Djuric who informed that the said component was related to the iPhone's wireless antenna function but couldn't confirm its specific role. iFixit tears down phones and reveals their hidden hardware.

The site had mentioned that the part shown in the picture also featured an antenna connector, just like the part found in the iPhone 5. It added that Apple had made a few changes to the layout of this part, but it's still very similar to the component found in iPhone 5 and didn't suggest any major changes in the device where it will be used.

There have been a number of leaks related to new components, including that of a flex cable for the next iPhone's home button and a second flex cable featuring the vibrator and volume/ mute controls, but nothing conclusive in terms of what the new iPhone will look like.