If anything's been consistent on Apple's path to the new iPhone 5 it's been the constant outpouring of rumors, and leaks of supposedly privileged information. The only problem is guessing where wish-list speculation ends and truth begins. Accounts differ from source-to-source on what really will or won't be included in the smartphone.

Apple is famously tight-lipped with its products. Before the company released an ominous invitation to an event this week, we only had rumors to go on that a media event for the company would be held on Sept. 12. So, with that in mind, we're parsing the rumors for the most consistent features and credible information. Read along below for the most believable rumors about Apple's new iPhone 5.

Taller, Thinner Display

It's been long rumored that the size of the iPhone 5 screen will be larger than the current iPhone screens. Many suspect it will be about 4 inches diagonally compared to the existing 3.5-inch display. Meanwhile, according to The Wall Street Journal, the iPhone 5 will tout a thinner screen, which would allow the device to be lighter in weight than ever before.

Redesigned Earbuds

The iPhone itself isn't the only piece of hardware expected to undergo a redesign. Not only have pictures surfaced of newly designed earbuds, a patent filed in April 2012 and approved last month has surfaced for what Apple is calling "vented in-the-ear headphones," which aims to cut back on the echoes you might hear of your voice while making phone calls. "The invention aims to improve the sound quality by venting or leakage," Apple said in the patent.

"They have the appearance of a horse's head, not like earbuds," said a video from Vietnamese website Tinht.vn. "When they are worn, they have a much smaller profile. They have the appearance of a fully integrated, single unit - there's no part that looks like it would come apart - not like earbuds; the integrated design is characteristic of Apple products."

LTE Connectivity

An image of what is allegedly the logic board for the iPhone 5 popped up in August on a Chinese iPhone forum. The logic board is said to have more antenna connections than the one in the iPhone 4S, which suggests that the new iPhone could have LTE connectivity. LTE is significantly faster than existing 3G tech, and would bring the iPhone into line with the most current Android phones.

The Name

One major clue we can garner from the invitations is that it might actually be called the iPhone 5, thanks to a large "5" in the shadow of the event's date. But some say the 5 could be in reference to the five rows of apps since it will actually be the company's sixth iPhone device.

Five Rows of Apps

A consequence of the larger screen - which is rumored to have 640 x 1,136 resolution - it's expected that we will see five full rows of apps.

9-Pin Dock Connector

Rumors indicate that Apple will be switching its 30-pin dock connector for one with only nine pins. This would make existing speakers and chargers useless when used with the new device. However, it's likely that Apple will introduce an adapter that will convert it back to its original 30 pins.

No NFC

There's been a lot of back-and-forth about whether or not Apple will include near field communications (NFC) technology in the iPhone 5, which would enable users to swipe devices at checkout to pay for items. Although this would surely help accelerate mobile payments as a phenomenon over the next few years, the new iPhone may not have room for NFC, according to Anandtech.

Smaller Sim Card

According to 9 to 5 Mac, the SIM card slot may be a lot smaller. This could mean Apple is switching to newer, nano-SIM card, which is even smaller than the current micro-SIM in the iPhone 4S.

New iPod Line

9 to 5Mac is also reporting that two or more revamped iPod lines such as an updated iPod nano, iPod shuffle or iPod Touch could come out of the event next week. The lines will vary in size and storage capacity and are likely come in all different colors.

What are you looking forward to the most for the iPhone 5? Will there be any other features to surprise us come Sept. 12?