Will Apple Release the iPhone 6 or iPhone 5S in 2013?

Apple

will surely release a new smartphone in 2013. If the rumors are true, the company might release two cellular devices, including an

.

The big question, however, is whether Apple will choose to release a full upgrade (like the iPhone 3, 4 or 5) or simply enhance the existing model (similar to the iPhone 3GS and 4S). According to a new report by

, it would seem that Apple may be planning to release the iPhone 6 this year. The report states that developers have uncovered identifiers that reference iOS 7 and a so-called "iPhone6,1." That identifier is notable because of the way the iPhone 5 was labeled before its release. The iPhone 5 is identified as "iPhone5,1" and "iPhone 5,2." Each label represents a different version of the 4G LTE antenna contained within the device. It would be uncharacteristic of Apple to release the iPhone 6 this year. The company has historically reserved its bigger and more significant upgrades for release every 20 to 24 months. By releasing the iPhone 6 in 2013, Apple would forgo the chance to sell an upgraded model of the iPhone 5. The iPhone 6 will also carry higher expectations from both analysts and consumers, who will anticipate new innovations and a drastic redesign. In the days before Apple unveiled the iPhone 4S, media hype had reached an all-time high. Consumers were expecting an Earth-shattering announcement that would drastically transform the world of mobile communications. After Apple unveiled the iPhone 4S and brought consumers back to reality,

about the lack of innovation. A similar degree of complaints could have followed the iPhone 5. Unlike the iPhone 4S, however, the iPhone 5 was preceded by accurate rumors that correctly detailed the device's new features -- including the modified form factor. This was considered to be a key part of the iPhone 5's development. Without it, consumers may have interpreted the device as another iPhone 4 enhancement. Apple could afford to keep the iPhone 5 form factor for another 12 months, but only if it maintains the iPhone 5 name. If it chooses to release the iPhone 6 this year instead, consumers will demand more than another simple upgrade. For better or worse, the form factor that Apple chooses could be a key, well,

in deciding how well the next iPhone performs. A new report on DigiTimes shows that smartphone manufacturers intend to continue building

, including one from Samsung that features a 6.3-inch display. While Apple may want to maintain the compact size of the existing iPhone, the new trend could force Apple to release a larger iPhone far sooner than it intended.