The new year has brought a whole new batch of Apple rumors, many revolving around the next generation of iPhone. Developers in touch with the NextWeb report references to a new iPhone identifier—iPhone6,1—and the next major operating system update for both smartphone and tablet devices—iOS 7—expected to launch mid-year. The identifiers for the iPhone 5 are iPhone6,1 and iPhone6,2 depending on the handset model and 4G band on which it operates.

The NextWeb believes the developer logs are app requests originating from an IP address at Apple’s Cuperinto, Calif. headquarters and suggest Apple’s software development and app teams are testing compatibility with the next-gen model and some of the popular apps currently being sold in the App Store. Based on the IP address, the NextWeb believes the leaked developer logs are valid, however they do not provide any specific information regarding hardware or software.

According to the Washington Post, Apple is expected to unveil iOS7 mid-year at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. And based on recent history, it’s a strong possibility the identifiers iPhone6,1 and iPhone6,2 could refer to an iPhone 5s model, which will make smaller changes to the device released in September. The company has followed up major smartphone releases with smaller upgrades since the released of the iPhone 3GS.

In fact, MacRumors recently reported a Topeka Capital Markets analysts’ report that the next iPhone, the 5S, will launch in March or April and will be available in a variety of colors and screen sizes.

“Our checks indicate that the next iPhone will have more choices for customers,” Topeka Capital’s Brian White said. “This entails an expansion in both the color patterns and screen sizes with the next iPhone (i.e., likely called the iPhone 5S) that we currently believe will be launched in May/June with certain supply production starting in March/April.”

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