Citing sources in the Chinese supply chain, Macotakara.jp reported Monday (via Google Translate) that Apple is not yet ordering components for its fifth-generation iPhone. The anticipated device is also not expected to contribute to Apple's fiscal 2011.
Apple's fiscal year 2011 concludes on Sept. 24, 2011. If the iPhone 5 were to in fact not contribute to the company's fiscal 2011 bottom line, the new handset would arrive after Sept. 24, making it a late September or early October launch at the earliest.
Monday's report indicated that Apple plans to ship the new iPhone in the "first half" of fiscal 2012. However, it is unlikely that Apple would wait until calendar 2012 to release the iPhone 5 and miss out on the strong holiday buying season.
The report said that Apple, for now, is focused on acquiring new customers for its CDMA handset, which launched in February on the Verizon network in the U.S. The CDMA iPhone 4 uses a different wireless radio than the original GSM-based model, and opens opportunities for new carrier partners for Apple.
Finally, the report also made mention of the rumored aluminum back for the iPhone 5, replacing the existing glass back of the iPhone 4. It appears Apple has toyed with the idea, but has not yet committed to making a radical design change with the next-generation handset.
In February, a separate rumor from overseas revealed that Apple had allegedly built three prototype models for its anticipated iPhone 5, and one of them has a "sliding cover" that conceals a physical keyboard. Another prototype reportedly built by Apple looks largely like the iPhone 4, but has longer battery life and a superior camera.
83 Comments
Not necessary a bad thing. It'll save me some money. The iphone is great the way it is anyway. New software features will give it a new life.
I dunno, I don't buy it(the story that it will delayed). I would think the least they would do is go to the A5 or dual mode. That said, Im not sure what more hardware can be added to complement the basic features of the phone. Ideas? I'd be happy with an iP4(S?) if it was just upgraded a bit as mentioned. I personnally dont want NFC etc, others may.
How many more quarters are we to read rumors, speculation, wishes and anticipation about the iPhone 5?
n February, a separate rumor from overseas revealed that Apple had allegedly built three prototype models for its anticipated iPhone 5,
I hate to hammer on this so often, but AI really needs to get with the dictionary. Right from the Mac dictionary, you will find that "allegedly" means "said, without proof, to have taken place or to have a specified illegal or undesirable quality." AI constantly uses this word when they really (I presume) mean "supposedly" or "reportedly." The word "allegedly" may sound more weighty and important, but it's not actually the concept you are trying to suggest -- unless you really do mean that the iPhone 5 prototypes are illegal or undesirable.
If true I'm disappointed. I plan on upgrading to an iphone, and thought at this late date I might as well wait for the iphone5. I hope this is not true.....