Two New iPhone Models, iPhone 5 Design Seeing Production Delays?

9to5Mac claims that there are indeed two new iPhone models: the "low-end" iPhone 4-look alike that we've seen parts for already, and the teardrop shaped iPhone 5 (artist rendition below).

two
N94 (left), and iPhone 5 artist rendition (right)

But they also claim that this new iPhone 5 design is seeing design and production delays so there may be shortages into 2012:

It appears that the tear-drop shaped iPhone 5 with larger screen and thinner, rounder body is seeing continued design and production delays, at least on one assembly line (Apple has multiple production sources – Pegatron, Foxconn, etc). We therefore think that iPhone 5 will be delayed slightly at the very least and may see shortages all the way into 2012.

Apple is expected to hold a media event announcing the iPhone 5 later this month, but has been known to pre-announce products that won't be available for some period of time. Most recently, Apple's Thunderbolt Display was announced to be delivered "within 60 days". With the iPhone, Apple will certainly try to minimize that delay in order to avoid suppressing sales during the holiday quarter. To be clear, the iPhone 5 announcement may still be "weeks away", but availability and stock of the iPhone 5 may be limited to start, if this rumor is to be believed.

Apple's annual iPhone announcement is already much later in the year than usual. In the past 4 years, Apple has launched a new iPhone in the summer, while this year's launch has still not been officially confirmed.

Meanwhile, MacRumors has also heard through a supplier that the case manufacturers are very confident that the leaked case designs are representative of the iPhone 5. There's been some speculation about how certain the case manufacturers need to be to start mass producing these early case designs. At least according to one of our contacts, they seem very certain.

Tag: 9to5Mac

Top Rated Comments

Captainobvvious Avatar
164 months ago
It's your subjective opinion. Please state it as such and not as an objective fact, otherwise it looks like you're preaching some kind of gospel and it's annoying to people who aren't as "into" Apple as you might be. And it's 2 models of iPhone, not 1. And if there was 20 iPhone models, I'd doubt the numbers would be much different. People buy the iPhone despite it being 1 model. With Android there's choice and competition and thus people are more free to get what they want in a handset.

Apple introducing more iPhone models would canabilize and diversify the iPhone landscape, they wouldn't suddenly take over the world and have 99% market share.

I don't believe that Android's sales are driven by people looking at its features, its openness and making a choice... They're available on EVERY carrier at EVERY price point starting at free... Not to mention that there are many many many many models...

When the average person buys an Android phone they're thinking "Its like an iPhone but..." Fill in the end... Its cheaper, its on Sprint, its on sale with a buy one get one...

I'm not saying that Android is a bad OS... Its actually good... But educated consumer choice isn't the driving factor that is giving it its sales numbers. Its price, availability and market saturation.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MetalMoon Avatar
164 months ago
Good things come to those who wait. If your that impatient, go buy that droid bonic thingy.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Peace Avatar
164 months ago
No! No! No! No! This cannot be happening!!!!!! My obsession over this phone is not healthy! Apple for the sake of my sanity and many others, announce it please!!! I beg of you!!! Stop doing this to us!

Apple isn't doing this to you. Rumor sites are.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bikertwin Avatar
164 months ago
Teardrop or wedge?

Can someone explain to us why it's referred to as teardrop shaped if in fact it is wedge shaped?

Yes, it's a wedge with rounded corners, but I don't recall seeing any mockups that show it to curve along its length.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pink∆Floyd Avatar
164 months ago
This is typical, it'll be ready when it's ready :)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KnightWRX Avatar
164 months ago
The artist rendition will look nothing like the real iPhone 5.

The lack of symmetry between the top and the bottom of the screen looks terrible. Those bands need to be the same vertical height.

Sounds like the iPhone 4 leak all over again.

"Ugly and boxy, Apple would never do that!"
"There's gaps on the side, and they're asymetrical, looks terrible".

Oh look, it was the real deal...

"Awesome, best iPhone yet, kinda like a monolith from 2001"
"The antena on the side is awesome, makes it look real industrial like".

:rolleyes:
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS 18 Siri Integrated Feature

iOS 18 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Friday April 12, 2024 11:11 am PDT by
iOS 18 is expected to be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more...