'iPhone 4S' Coming in September With Sprint and T-Mobile Support?

iphone 4 side shotForbes reports on a new research note from Jeffries & Co. analyst Peter Misek claiming that Apple's next-generation iPhone will be a relatively minor revamp known as the "iPhone 4S" and will debut in September. Misek also claims that Apple will be expanding carrier availability in the U.S. to include Sprint and T-Mobile by the end of the year, with China Mobile also reportedly coming on board.

"According to our industry checks, the device should be called iPhone 4S and include minor cosmetic changes, better cameras, A5 dual-core processor, and HSPA+ support," he writes in a research note.

But he also says that "industry checks indicate Apple will likely announce Sprint, T-Mobile, and China Mobile as new carriers."

The "iPhone 4S" name first gained publicity last month in claims that Apple has been providing select high-level iOS developers with souped-up iPhone 4 devices, with the source citing an unofficial name of "iPhone 4S" for the device.

Misek's report goes on to note that the next-generation iPhone is not likely to bring compatibility with faster LTE 4G networks rolling out in some markets, as the required chipsets from Qualcomm are not yet available in quantity to support the inclusion of the technology.

As for LTE, he says the Qualcomm LTE chipset Apple would have used "is currently not achieving yields sufficient for inclusion in the iPhone 5." He says Apple had hoped to have the LTE chipsets ready, but was planning a version without LTE called iPhone 4S.

The claim regarding a lack of LTE compatibility in the next-generation iPhone fits with earlier reports that the required chipsets won't be available to make their way into handsets until 2012.

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Top Rated Comments

IconicM Avatar
185 months ago
No larger screen, no 4G, no 64 GB. :rolleyes: The Samsung Galaxy S 2 is looking sweeter and sweeter.

Tony

Go for it, no one is holding you back...but yourself
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StuddedLeather Avatar
185 months ago
Am I the only one that's mostly anticipating iOS 5 more than anything else? :o

I honestly don't care (as much) for the physical changes. Bring a better notification system is all I'm asking for. If the speed difference is significant, I'll upgrade as well. I just REALLY hope iOS 5 blows us all away.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crisito Avatar
185 months ago
I don't buy the "4GS" name. Once they committed to the generation numbering system, the next one pretty much has to be iPhone 5. Otherwise they'd have to go 4GS -> 6, which would be very un-Apple like to skip a number, as it will bring mass confusion amongst the non-techy Apple-ites.

Tony

Did they go from 3GS to iPhone 5? No.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleDroid Avatar
185 months ago
iPhone on Sprint?! I don't have to switch carriers next May just to get an iPhone 5? Oh happy day!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RonHC Avatar
185 months ago
Im ok with that
As long as there is a 64GB Model
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rmwebs Avatar
185 months ago
You know what they should do...just call it....

iPhone.

You know, like:

iPod
iMac
Mac Mini
Apple TV

You dot see anyone calling the latest iPod Nano the iPod Nano 6.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)