iPhone 5S Release Date: Prototype Pictures Leak as Next Apple Smartphone Could Launch with China Mobile in July [Rumors]

Pictures of the alleged iPhone 5S have recently leaked, as a researcher predicts the next Apple smartphone could see positive numbers in China.

Wedge Partners researcher Brian Blair stated the iPhone 5S will launch with the world's largest mobile company - China Mobile - with a summer release date.

"We believe that Apple will launch the iPhone 5S at China Mobile this July, as it launches the next iteration of the iPhone globally," wrote Blair. "We believe this handset will be a TD-SCDMA model of the iPhone 5S and will likely begin production next month."

According to Blair, a partnership with China Mobile will be significant for Apple. The Cupertino-based company has yet to directly sell its iPhones to the Chinese carrier and its weighty 710 million subscribers.

"In addition to China, India is another market that we believe Apple is working to tackle this year, and we understand the company is deploying significantly more people in the nation this year in an effort to grow iPhone/ iPad sales," Blair added.

The researcher's comments come as a prototype of the iPhone 5S has been pictured.

The pictures, via GSMArena, show the home button removed for a wider display. The device also features sloped edges instead of the traditional rounded edges. The edges are reminiscent a patent application released last week through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

As usual, the pictures should not be taken as 100 percent fact until further confirmation from Apple itself.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple could be producing the iPhone 5's successor during this quarter for a possible summer launch. The next smartphone, according to their report, is will be similar size and shape to the iPhone 5.

MacFan has stated Apple will hold an event on Thursday, June 20, to showcase the next iPhone. In addition, they also stated the iPhone 5S is expected to go on sale in early July. A June 20 event would come around Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which is set to take place in June as well. Apple did use the WWDC to announce the iPhone 4, iPhone 3, and iPhone 3GS.