Spec Bumped iPhone 5 Set for September Ramp? Revamped iPhone in 1H 2012?

104037 iphone 4 side shot

Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new research note in support of earlier claims that the fifth-generation iPhone will not go into full production until September. Kuo's note also corroborates other reports indicating that the new iPhone will be largely identical to the iPhone 4 in appearance and contain primarily internal improvements.

Specifically, Kuo has heard that the iPhone 5 will include the faster A5 processor already found in the iPad 2, as well as a higher resolution 8 megapixel rear camera. He has also been told that Apple will switch to a Qualcomm baseband for both GSM and CDMA models, along with an improved antenna design.

Kuo has also been told that the new iPhone will go into trial production in August and mass production in September, allowing Apple to reach shipment volumes of between 28 million and 32 million units this year. That would align with previous reports that have indicated Apple plans to make its new iPhone available for sale later than usual this year, likely in Apple's next fiscal year beginning in October.

Kuo's report does, however, apparently assume that the new iPhone will be introduced at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in early June, despite that event coming at least three months before the device would become available under this scenario. A number of other reports in recent weeks have indicated, however, that there will be no iPhone introduction at WWDC, with Apple potentially looking to its annual September iPod event for the introduction of the new iPhone.

Kuo suggests that the main selling point of the fifth-generation iPhone will be a significantly revamped iOS 5, although the operating system would presumably be fully or nearly fully supported on the iPhone 4 hardware. Kuo claims that the sixth-generation iPhone will be the model to carry a substantial redesign and could launch in the first half of 2012, even with a later-than-usual introduction of 2011's iPhone model.

Despite a few misses, Kuo has frequently offered fairly accurate information originating from Apple's supply chain, perhaps most notably pinpointing the smaller, thinner MacBook Air ultimately released late last year.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
macbook pro blue green

M5 MacBook Pro No Longer Coming in 2025

Thursday July 10, 2025 12:38 pm PDT by
Apple does not plan to refresh any Macs with updated M5 chips in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the M5 MacBook Pro models in late 2025, but his newest report suggests that Apple is "considering" pushing them back to 2026. Apple is now said to be...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive These Five Perks

Wednesday July 9, 2025 9:20 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, did you know that Apple offers you five perks beyond the extra storage space, at no additional cost? Here are the perks included with all iCloud+ plans:Private Relay keeps your Safari browsing history entirely private from network providers, websites, and even Apple. Hide My Email generates unique, random email addresses whenever needed. Hom...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Foldable iPhone Display Production Begins Ahead of Launch Next Year

Wednesday July 9, 2025 10:59 pm PDT by
Production of foldable OLED displays for Apple's first foldable iPhone have begun ahead of its expected launch next year, Korea's ETNews reports. The first foldable iPhone's displays are being produced by Samsung Display, who are establishing a production line dedicated to the upcoming Apple device its A3 factory in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do. The production line will make displays exclusively...

Top Rated Comments

andyx3x Avatar
186 months ago
Please tell me why all of your phones are on their "last legs"? Do you all have dropsy or something?

I am still using my original iPhone (pre 3G), and it works just as well as it ever did. Still has the same flaws too.

But regardless, unless I drop it in the parking lot or something, I have no reason to believe that it won't still be going a year from now.

If you are spending your money on bigger/better/faster/stronger/new features, I understand that fully.

I don't understand why large quantities of people are commenting on why their phone is about to die?

Either they abuse their phones or are a member of the new generation who think that if a phone is 2 years old, it's on it's "last leg".

I told a friend of mine today who is thinking about buying the iPhone 4 but is worried about all this "outdated technology" talk that if he does and still has the phone 3 or 4 years from now, he'll still have a great phone.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ratsg Avatar
186 months ago
Please tell me why all of your phones are on their "last legs"? Do you all have dropsy or something?

I am still using my original iPhone (pre 3G), and it works just as well as it ever did. Still has the same flaws too.

But regardless, unless I drop it in the parking lot or something, I have no reason to believe that it won't still be going a year from now.

If you are spending your money on bigger/better/faster/stronger/new features, I understand that fully.

I don't understand why large quantities of people are commenting on why their phone is about to die?



So those of us that are still using 3gS's (that are on their last leg) should prolly go ahead and get a 4, and then wait for the 6...

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iSamurai Avatar
186 months ago
they can't make the iPhone any thinner in the mean time can they :D
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
juicedropsdeuce Avatar
186 months ago
+ 1

+1
Score: 0 Votes (Like | Disagree)