Neil Hughes
A key Apple supplier has revealed that its largest North American customer is gearing up for the launch of a next-generation smartphone, suggesting Apple could be in the midst of preparing for a September launch of its next iPhone.
The comments come from Avago Technologies, the maker of custom wireless chips featured in Apple's iPhone lineup. Analyst Maynard Um of Wells Fargo Securities interpreted them on Thursday as "signs of life" in Apple's supply chain, and an indication of a likely September launch for a so-called "iPhone 5S."
"Avago noted it is already seeing an initial ramp of a new product transition (we believe iPhone 5S) and expects a greater ramp in the following quarter (October quarter)," Um wrote in a note to investors. "We anticipate more positive supply chain news from Apple suppliers through the summer and as we get closer to product launch."
The details put Apple's next iPhone on track to launch a year after the iPhone 5, as that device was officially unveiled on Sept. 12 of last year. While some optimistic market watchers had hoped that Apple would launch its "iPhone 5S" at a sooner date, company CEO Tim Cook softened those expectations with comments made last month, when he signaled that major new products would arrive this fall.
Wells Fargo has maintained its "outperform" rating for AAPL stock, with a share valuation range of $485 to $525.
Rumored colors for Apple's next iPhone, according to a recent report
As for Apple's next-generation iPhone hardware, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has claimed that Apple plans to embed a fingerprint sensor beneath the home button on its next handset. This addition would allow users to bypass manual password entry, and could even open up the possibility of new functionality such as secure e-wallet transactions.
Apple first signaled its interest in fingerprint scanning technology when it acquired Florida-based AuthenTec last year. That company's flagship product was a "Smart Sensor" component that reads fingerprints and can be embedded into devices such as smartphones.
Beyond that, numerous reports have claimed that Apple's 2013 iPhone will come with more color options beyond the current black and white offerings, while still other reports have claimed the device will include an improved camera that could capture pictures up to 12 megapixels in size.
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
46 Comments
So all we can expect from the next iPhone is a better camera and maybe color options? What about new chips? What about NFC? Any new features?
What!!!! There is going to be a new iPhone you say? Coming out in the fall you say?
How ridiculous /s
[quote name="festerfeet" url="/t/157766/supply-chain-showing-signs-of-life-as-apple-gears-up-for-sept-launch-of-iphone-5s#post_2335446"]What!!!! There is going to be a new iPhone you say? Coming out in the fall you say? How ridiculous /s [/quote] Since it comes from a 'well-connected' analyst, it surely must be very important news.
Hey, my iPhone 5 can already capture pictures up to 28 megapixels in size.
Panorama.
iPhone is the most popular camera in the world. For good reason. Photos look so stunning, it’s hard to believe they were taken with a mobile phone. And everything that made the iSight camera in iPhone 4S the world’s favourite is now on iPhone 5 — and then some. The new panorama feature lets you capture everything from a family reunion group photo to a jaw-dropping shot of Sydney Harbour. With one smooth motion you can shoot up to an impressive 240 degrees. The gyroscope, A6 chip, and Camera app work together to create one seamless, high-resolution panorama up to 28 megapixels.
Source.
So all we can expect from the next iPhone is a better camera and maybe color options?
What about new chips?
What about NFC?
Any new features?
imo its pretty much a given that they will update the internals. But seriously, incremental internal refresh and color options is a major fail on the innovation side. I am going to hope they do better than that because thats the kind of "innovations" that can be done by the bottom feeding low end taiwan companies.
Innovation I am hoping for:
Batterie life: IGZO at the same resolution could triple batterie life. Smartphone batterie life is short compare to what we used to get with feature phones. Couple this with new batterie tech, better LTE chip, smarter firmware and getting 5 days out of charge would be doable.
NFC: and a clever way to used it on the software side.
The home button: IF they could find a way to put it on the screen. There is patent for it. Think of the gain in the bezel. This could allow to build a 5" iphone that is barely bigger (footprint) than the current one, it would be a bit wider but not much longer.
Zoom: I dont know if its doable but a small optical zoom would go a long way into making it a better camera.
Water and sand: Shock and water resistant. The batterie is not user removable, so why not making it water resistant.
and, for the love of god, more iphone models and price points...
1. Most needed model is an emerging market one. Something very cheap that is NOT for sale in rich countries and something specially design for those market needs.
2. A unlock model around $300 for the gazillions of carriers in the world that dont do subsidies.