Rumor: Apple suppliers now shipping 'large number' of parts for low-cost iPhone

In addition to TSMC, Largan Precision is said to be providing an 8-megapixel camera for the device, while Foxconn is reportedly supplying the battery module and most of the inner frame, and Taiflex Scientific is responsible for the device's flexible circuit. The details come from a report this week by the Commercial Times, which was highlighted on Thursday by Macotakara.

It was said that companies are now shipping a "large number" of parts, and "intensive delivery" is currently underway. Other alleged suppliers noted by the report are Kinsus, SPIL, Texas Instruments, Renesas Electronics, and Chipbond.

Apple is said to be preparing to have a large number of handsets ready for the second half of the year, to compensate for the fact that it did not introduce any new major products in the first half of 2013. The report claimed that Apple could make the new low-end iPhone available as soon as August.

The details come on the heels of a separate report that claimed the new low-cost iPhone will adopt color saturations similar to Apple's official "Bumper" cases for the iPhone 4. Rumored colors are the established black and white, joined by pink, blue, and orange.

Market watchers have predicted that Apple could sell a new low-end iPhone model for $399 without a service contract without negatively affecting its gross margins. Such a device could appeal to customers who prefer not to sign a new two-year cellular service contract in order to subsidize the price of a new handset.

With the launch of multiple new iPhones anticipated for this fall, it's likely that Apple will begin production in the near future as it gears up for their official debuts. Last year, Apple introduced and made available the iPhone 5 in September.