Apple is ditching the physical home button found on the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 to boost durability on the gadgets' release dates, a new feature that likely will be extended too to the iPad Mini 2 and iPad 5.

Contrary to earlier reports, the iconic iPhone feature is here to stay, to be replaced only by a capacitive key that is more resistant to scratches and general wear and tear, Cult of Mac reported this week.

To come with the new features is the long-rumoured fingerprint sensor, which Apple engineers will reportedly install beneath the Home button. The whole component is to be protected by a sapphire glass coating, adding sturdiness to a gadget already regarded by experts as one of more robust smartphone around.

The apparent inclusion of better security features for both the iPhone 6 and the iPhones 5S was first floated by a number of analysts earlier this year, pointing to Apple's acquisition of biometrics security specialist AuthenTec.

This week, a report from Taiwan-based blog site TechNews supported the assertion, revealing that the redesigned Home button will feature a fingerprint scanner and a sapphire crystal cover.

Previously, Apple has deployed sapphire to protect the camera lens of its iOS devices. Note that the same material is in wide use to provide protection for luxury and delicate products like wristwatch.

The alleged iPhone revisions make sense, according to experts, as the physical Home button normally attracts complaints of wearing out too fast.

The elimination of yet another moving part in the upcoming iPhone 5S and iPhone is a welcome upgrade especially for the 5S, which analyst said will only bring incremental improvements from the iPhone 5.

The iPhone 5S and its low-cost version are reportedly geared for a September 2013 release date though hopes remain high that Apple will advance the gadgets' landing, probably by mid-August.

The iPhone 6, on the other hand, is expected by analyst for a June 2014 unveiling, which is a release date that should give the tech giant sufficient time to solve the 'trade off issue' of building an oversized iOS 7 smartphone.