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Apple Gearing Up for iPhone 5 Production Ahead of Summer Launch? [Updated]

Wednesday January 25, 2012 8:47 am PST by Eric Slivka
9to5Mac reports that it has received word from a "reliable" source at Foxconn that Apple is gearing up to begin production of the iPhone 5, suggesting that the company could be pushing for a mid-year launch more in line with pre-iPhone 4S debuts.
The source said various sample devices are also floating around (which vary slightly from one another) so it is impossible to tell which one will be the final. Some things in common with all of them, however, are:

- 4+ inch display (made by LG on at least one of them)
- No teardrop-shaped devices as were rumored in the lead up to the iPhone 4S. Samples so far have been symmetrical in thickness. Also longer/wider.
- None of the sample devices have the iPhone 4/4S form factor
- None of the devices are final versions
The report notes that the start of production seems to be coming several months ahead of last year's schedule, indicating that Apple could be targeting a launch well ahead of last year's October debut of the iPhone 4S. Consequently, Apple could be returning to its traditional iPhone launch pattern of an introduction at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (typically held in June) with availability in the first batch of countries coming just a few weeks later.


Some of the details of today's report are very similar to those shared in an iLounge report from last November that also claimed a 4-inch next-generation iPhone 5 without a teardrop shape was being targeted for a summer launch.

Speculation on Apple's next-generation iPhone launch timing has been split, with some observers suggesting that the iPhone 4S was an anomaly for Apple and that it will return to the usual mid-year timeframe, while others have suggested that moving back to the mid-year launch would make for an extremely short lifecycle for the iPhone 4S.

Update: Daring Fireball's John Gruber specifically refutes the claim that iPhone 5 production is starting up. He also doubts the claim that the device is likely to be longer and wider that the current form factor, although he does not appear to suggest that he has specific knowledge on that aspect.

Tag: 9to5mac.com
[ 259 comments ]


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MacBookPro13"
88 months ago

Aw, I was looking forward to the tear-drop. Really easy and comfortable to hold, but also easy to pick up off a table (try picking an iPhone 4/S off the table).


Very hard. I once accidentaly put my iPhone on the table, couldn't pick it up for a week.


Rating: 99 Votes
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3N16MA
88 months ago
My reliable source let me know that all other sources are unreliable.
Rating: 51 Votes
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DTphonehome
88 months ago
I think the 4S delay was deliberate to shift the iPhone release to Fall. With the iPod waning in popularity, Apple needed a new device for the holiday season. Plus, with a March release for the iPad, they have a good 6 months to engineer the new iPad features into the smaller iPhone.
Rating: 46 Votes
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Bolo4u
88 months ago

Aw, I was looking forward to the tear-drop. Really easy and comfortable to hold, but also easy to pick up off a table (try picking an iPhone 4/S off the table).


And if I'm really in a hurry, I just pick up the entire table...
Rating: 46 Votes
Avatar
Nickpocalypse
88 months ago

Aw, I was looking forward to the tear-drop. Really easy and comfortable to hold, but also easy to pick up off a table (try picking an iPhone 4/S off the table).


I pick mine up by grabbing it by the sides with light pressure and lifting up. It's really not that complicated.
Rating: 45 Votes
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3N16MA
88 months ago

Very hard. I once accidentaly put my iPhone on the table, couldn't pick it up for a week :rolleyes:


I had a similar problem trying to get some files of my Mac.

Rating: 44 Votes
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BergerFan
88 months ago
If Apple release the next iPhone in the summer, what will they announce in the fall?
iPods are no longer significant enough on their own, to warrant a standalone event.
Here's how I see the mobile rollout strategy:

Spring: iPad.
Summer: WWDC & new iOS.
Fall: iPhone and iOS release(feat. iPods).
Rating: 23 Votes
Avatar
HangmanSwingset
88 months ago

Aw, I was looking forward to the tear-drop. Really easy and comfortable to hold, but also easy to pick up off a table (try picking an iPhone 4/S off the table).


You mean people put their iPhones down? Whaaa?
Rating: 16 Votes
Avatar
M-O
88 months ago

Aw, I was looking forward to the tear-drop. Really easy and comfortable to hold, but also easy to pick up off a table (try picking an iPhone 4/S off the table).


it's particularly hard for those of us without hands.
Rating: 15 Votes
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extraextra
88 months ago
I really hope the screen size doesn't get bigger, but many people seem to be falling for "bigger is better." Apple probably needs to increase the screen size to "compete," which is unfortunate for two reasons:

1: I don't want to carry a brick around in my pocket.

2: Dustin Curtis makes a good point about the screen size and usability of 3.5" vs bigger screens (http://dcurt.is/2011/10/03/3-point-5-inches/):



With a 3.5" screen, your thumb can reach across the whole screen, thus the iPhone is a "one hand" device. When the screen size increases, you need to use two hands to reach the entire surface.
Rating: 13 Votes

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