The iPhone 6s leaks continued Friday as new images supposedly showing the internal components of Apple’s next iPhone were published. The images reportedly show updated NFC hardware, fewer and less power-hungry chips, and new flash memory.

The new components were identified by 9to5Mac – which published the images of what is claimed to be the iPhone 6s’ logic board – in conjunction with patent and technology intelligence consultancy Chipworks, Inc.

Upgraded NFC chip, fewer components

The NFC chip in the current iPhone models has been in use since 2012, although Apple only started including NFC with iPhone 6 models in 2014. Chipworks found that the iPhone 6s has an upgraded NFC chip from the same supplier, and, although it is not known what the upgrade brings, it may include a secure element processor – until now this was provided by a separate chip.

The report found that the iPhone 6s’ logic board was marginally smaller than that in the iPhone 6 and contains fewer chips as well. Along with a reduction in parts – down to three from 10 in some cases – the remaining chips, including flash memory and CPU, have been reduced in size and made more efficient to deliver better application performance and reduce drain on the battery.

While much of the remaining components remain unchanged, Chipworks thinks that the accelerometer and gyroscope may be replaced with the smaller module Apple recently used in the Apple Watch.

Entry-level iPhone 6s may only have 16GB flash memory

Despite rumors suggesting Apple may do away with the 16GB entry-level iPhone in favor of a 32GB model, 9to5Mac’s analysis of the leaked images found that the prototype has a 16GB Toshiba Flash Memory chip.

The report did add that this may only be for testing purposes and Apple could still plan to include 32GB internal storage for the entry-level iPhone 6s when it goes into final production.

Then again, more storage – at least for price-conscious buyers of entry-level iPhones – may be a moot point given the smaller footprint of iOS 9 combined with the new operating system’s app-slimming features aimed at freeing up storage space.

Image via 9to5Mac.com

iPhone 6s design and other features

Earlier this week, leaked images revealed that the iPhone 6s will look identical to the iPhone 6 – at least externally.

A second set of images showed a new Qualcomm LTE chip that may bring faster download speeds to the iPhone 6s – up to double what the iPhone 6 is capable of.

Other rumored features and component upgrades coming to the iPhone 6s include a more powerful A9 processor with 2GB of RAM, Force Touch, 7000 Series aluminum, a 12-megapixel rear camera and an upgraded FaceTime camera.

Main image credit: kropekk_pl via Pixabay.com