Tech giant Apple's new patents provide clues to the upcoming high-tech features of the company's upcoming smartphones dubbed as iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S.

According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, Apple will release the next generation iPhone in June this year.

The analyst believes that after launching the next iPhone model, Cupertino should be able to sell about 4 million units, taking into account that the iPhone 5 sold 5 million during the launch weekend.

He also predicted that the handset will come with a faster processor, an improved camera and even new software features and "an outside chance" to have NFC capabilities.

Following the iPhone 6, Apple will release a budget smartphone dubbed as the iPhone 5S, with a price of $250, as predicted by Munster.

iPhone 6, on the other hand, is speculated to be released in June. Rumour has it that Apple will unveil a major iPhone and a low cost handset, dubbed as iPhone 5S.

Apple are expected to include an improved camera in the iPhone 6 and/or iPhone 5S which is rumoured to be capable of taking "Super HD" pictures. In order to take snaps at that resolution it'll need to have at least a 13 mega-pixel camera.

The lack of NFC support on the iPhone 5 was one of the biggest criticisms aimed at Apple's smartphone. Rumours suggest that the iPhone 5S could include support for the contact-less technology which can be used to pay for items in retail stores. Other features rumoured to be included in the handset is the A7 quad core chip processor, Retina or IGZO screen display among others.

However, the Cupertino-based company remained tight-lipped on the details of the upcoming smartphones.

  1. Fingerprint Sensor - The iPhone 6 may also become smarter and more secured with the aid of a fingerprint sensor. The rumour is included in note of KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a superb track record in iPhone rumours. The rumour is backed by the fact that Apple bought AuthenTec in 2012. They were well known for their fingerprint scanning technology.
  2. Enhanced Indoor Mapping Technology - Apple is working on its troubled iMaps. The iPhone maker recently bought the location-based service firm WifiSLAM to bring indoor mapping technology to the company.
  3. Ultra-Sensitive Touchscreen Display - The rumoured high-tech screen display allows users to write even with the use of an ordinary pencil or pen. According to reports, Sharp Corp has developed the new display technology that brings up to 8 times higher sensitivity to a capacitive touch panel. The production of the new screen displays commenced last March 15.
  4. Near Field Communication - iPhone 6 will follow the footsteps of other smartphones with the inclusion of NFC in the handset.
  5. BBM-Like Instant Messaging - Apple was granted a patent for its invention relating to portable electronic devices, and more particularly, to portable devices for performing instant messaging.