9to5Mac has got their hands on what looks like a beta build of iOS 6 from an unnamed source, and they’ve found some information regarding the iPhone 5′s hardware.

First off, the Darwin Kernel has been updated from 12.x to version 13.0. For those who aren’t Linux/Unix geeks, a kernel is a piece of software that allows the hardware to communicate with the GUI. On a computer, this works by taking in input from the keyboard, and converting it to something a computer can understand and act on.

Secondly, the processor has been upgraded ever so slightly to a ARM_S5L8950X. The iPhone 4S currently features the ARM_S5L8940, and the new iPad has the ARM_S5L8945, so it is safe to assume that it is either an A6 processor, or a radically redesigned and more efficient A5. The new chip also features an upgraded GPU, however this chip is nowhere in existence yet.

Finally, deep within the iOS 6 beta build they found the identifier for the device. The iPhone 4S has an identifier of iPhone 4,1; 9to5Mac found iPhone 5,1 referenced in the code. It’s likely Apple will name the device the iPhone 5.

With the bigger screen, new Maps application, and faster processor, it looks like the new iPhone could be a huge step for Apple.

Via: 9to5Mac