First there were rumours that the iPhone 5 would drop the traditional 30-pin dock connector in favour of a new 19-pin design.

That was triggered by 'spy shots' of what were purportedly iPhone 5 shell components and new cases, showing a much smaller orifice than required for the existing connector.

A widely-held expectation was that the new connector would drop the obsolete and unused pins, which would leave 19 pins.

More recently, talk switched to an 8-pin arrangement.

And a new photo published by French site NoWhereElse [translation] shows a metal ring around the new port, which is being taken as further evidence that the iPhone 5 will use a MagSafe-style connector.

While the main idea behind MagSafe was that the connector would detach from a MacBook if someone tripped on the power cable, an iPhone is unlikely to be heavy enough to remain in place in the event of a sudden tug on the cable.

However, a magnetic connection would be more convenient as it would do away with the 'squeeze' action needed to release the mechanical catches that are part of the old 30-pin connector, at least in the form used for cables.

NoWhereElse also passed on photos appearing in the Chinese publication 'Apple Daily' showing that the iPhone 5 is 7.6mm thick, with a screen height of 90mm.