iPhone 5 in Final Testing, Due in September

Apple was careful about managing expectations heading into the WWDC keynote. A week before the keynote, they spelled out exactly what they would talk about (OS X Lion, iOS 5, and iCloud) and also specifically omitted any reference to new hardware. We believe the reason for the candor was the public expectation that the WWDC keynote has always been the launchpad for the new iPhone.

151219 iphone5render 500
iPhone mockup by blkr

Instead, rumors have been persistent that the next iPhone would be released in the September timeframe. Reuters detailed the timeline back in April:

Apple Inc suppliers will begin production of its next-generation iPhone in July this year, with the finished product likely to begin shipping in September, three people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Right on schedule, we are now hearing from 9to5Mac that the iPhone 5 has reached the final testing stage and should be ready in time for a September launch.

Their source must be based in Verizon as they claim that it's not clear when Verizon will support 3G FaceTime, and reportedly some negotiations about the details of over-the-air updates remain ongoing. Verizon iPhones have strangely been left somewhat behind in software updates, still only able to support iOS 4.2.8 as the highest version. iOS 5 will consolidate the codebase across all iPhone models when it is released this fall.

Tag: 9to5Mac

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Top Rated Comments

Aduntu Avatar
184 months ago
Do they really mean the iPhone 5 is coming or are they talking about the iPhone 4s?

Comments like these just baffle me.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stang Avatar
184 months ago
Final testing, you say?

Let's hit the bars, fellas. There's bound to be a few in the wild somewhere.

brb cupertino bars.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FoxHoundADAM Avatar
184 months ago
That's a nice mock-up. I was going to do one until I googled iPhone 4 and called it good.

Regardless Apple will have to change something about the general appearance to "show" consumers" it is different. Doesn't have to be major but just something.

BTW if I hear one more 3GS user complain about being on their last leg I will scream. Try a 3G in iOS4.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleguy123 Avatar
184 months ago
Do they really mean the iPhone 5 is coming or are they talking about the iPhone 4s?

I think that 9to5Mac are stupid when they say it will be called the 4s. Apple wouldn't get their numbers out of synch again.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wordoflife Avatar
184 months ago
Yay. :)


Do they really mean the iPhone 5 is coming or are they talking about the iPhone 4s?
It doesn't matter what they decide to call it, but they are referring to the 5th generation iPhone.


Verizon JUST got the iPhone and they're already trying to screw their customers....
You mean to say that customers are getting screwed with each new Android that comes out every week?


This needs to hurry up - my 3GS is on it's last legs as it is ;-) An announcement date would at least let me know how much to spend on my 'get by till then' phone :)
Same! I want it now!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aa521490 Avatar
184 months ago
Sweet. Now I can retire my iPhone 3G.:)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)