More clues are hitting the Apple blogosphere that suggest the iPhone 5S release date, plus that of the rumoured iPhone Lite, is fast approaching.

French blog site NowhereElse.fr let out in the past few days fresh images that indicate production activities for the two iOS 7 devices are currently underway, pointing to the possibility that these handsets will touchdown this coming September without delay.

First to make an appearance is the alleged trays of iPhone batteries that are supposedly queued up to bond with battery connectors on their way to assembly lines where the 5S components are destined to come together.

The photo alone, according to numerous reports, signalled that the 5S mass production is now ongoing, with one stack of trays filled with batteries making up for hundreds of iPhone 5S units waiting in the final assembly point.

Note that in earlier leaked images of purported inner 5S components, experts assumed that Apple will provide a major battery upgrade for its 2013 flagship, judging from the new phone board schematic that accommodate for a larger battery pack.

The second production evidence came in the form of what appeared as back covers for the iPhone Lite, an edition of the iOS 7 smartphone that Apple will reportedly distribute on emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil.

In the set of pictures, again published by NowhereElse.fr and picked by Apple Insider, the iPhone back panels are shown in multiple colours, which supported swirling speculations that the iPhone Lite will come in options of yellow, red, green, gold, orange and gray aside from the old black and white.

The same report also offered glimpses of the final Lite build, which will keep the 4-inch screen that Apple has introduced via the iPhone 5 last year. The Lite, however, will have a heavier profile, slightly thicker than the last iteration and will be housed in plastic instead of the anodised aluminium packed with the iPhone 5.

Also, Apple will reportedly re-employ the design pattern it used in the first three iPhone models, which then showcased rounded corners.

The iPhone 5S and the iPhone Lite will be the first carriers of the fully revamped iOS 7 mobile operating system, which Apple said will be officially released in September.