In 2007, the release of the Apple iPhone permanently revolutionised the mobile phone industry as it was then known. Just like the iPod before it, the iPhone has become an icon of modern design and software innovation and every smartphone released afterwards has struggled to keep pace with its massive global success. It's no surprise then, that mobile industry professionals, tech pundits and smartphone fans across the world are on the constant lookout for new announcements and developments from makers Apple.

Those announcements have been revealed relatively regularly since the iPhone's unveiling, with the iPhone 3G, 3GS and most recently the iPhone 4 following the original model. In 2011, however, the regularity of these revelations seems to have stalled, with reliable reports suggesting that the next generation iPhone will not be released until September or November, rather than June or July as is usual. This new model is most likely to be called the iPhone 5, though some are predicting it will be known as the iPhone 4S. Typically for any Apple product, details are thin on the ground but what exactly can we anticipate from the iPhone 5 and will it revolutionise the phone industry once again?

In terms of form, rumours suggest that the iPhone 5 will not dramatically depart from the design of its predecessor. Like the iPhone 4, it will probably be available in white as well as the classic black but may sport a metal back that acts as an antenna rather than its usual glass back. Some have speculated that the touchscreen display could be larger (up to 4 inches), while others have mooted the idea of two iPhones: a standard variation and a more expensive "iPhone Pro".

When it comes to the iPhone 5's components, most analysts are expecting the new model to sport more memory, greater storage capacity and a faster processor, most likely the same A5 dual-core processor chip that's found in the recently unveiled iPad 2. The shift to a dual-core GPU is also expected to enhance the graphics on the new iPhone. Similarly, the iPhone 5 is likely to contain a better camera. However, this component may be affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, where Apple's camera image sensor facility is located.

Perhaps two of the most exciting rumours surrounding the iPhone 5 are the possibility of NFC functionality and LTE-support. An NFC (near field communication) chip will allow users to make mobile payments with their iPhone. Several banks around the world are trialling this capability and an NFC-enabled iPhone would certainly provide the stimulus this emerging technology needs to spread and develop. LTE-support, on the other hand, will provide new iPhone users with super-fast mobile broadband access.

Thanks to the widespread availability of fast broadband and an ever-increasing number of mobile internet-enabled devices, staying in touch with the latest iPhone 5 news is simple. Many tech websites have dedicated blogs and forums for iPhone fans, and most of them run competitions or offer electrical discount codes that make it easier for tech enthusiasts to ensure they have the latest gadgets. As a result, they're a great place to turn to for iPhone news and, when the iPhone 5 is finally released, are likely to provide an accurate assessment of its revolutionary capabilities.

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.