Will the iPhone 5S have NFC and biometrics?

Rumours suggest that a Taiwanese firm will provide NFC chips and fingerprint sensors for Apple's next phone.

Near Field Communications, better known as NFC, has become a default for handset manufacturers, allowing them to easily integrate a number of features including one-tap data sharing and device pairing, as well as mobile payments.

It's also been a feature conspicuously missing from the iPhone 5. However, if rumours coming via The China Times are accurate, NFC will make an appearance in the iPhone 5S, along with fingerprint sensors.

Taiwanese chipmaker Chipbond has apparently been selected to provide the components that will enable this functionality on the next iPhone. The report suggests that the fingerprint sensor will be used to provide additional security for NFC payments, in keeping with Apple's acquisition of security firm AuthenTec last year.

Foxconn is reportedly gearing up its Apple manufacturing centres to begin iPhone 5S production, with the big money being on an August launch.