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Apple to Begin Production of Next iPhone This Quarter, Summer Launch Possible

Tuesday April 2, 2013 11:55 am PDT by Eric Slivka
iphone_5_lteThe Wall Street Journal reports that Apple will begin production on the next iPhone this quarter, setting the stage for a potential launch this summer.
Apple Inc. plans to begin production of a new iPhone similar in size and shape to its current one in the second quarter of the year, according to people familiar with the device's production, teeing up a possible summer launch for the next version of its flagship device.

At the same time, Apple continues to work with its manufacturing partners in Asia on a less expensive iPhone that could be launched as soon as the second half of this year, these people said.
In line with some previous rumors, the report claims that the lower-cost iPhone will include a 4-inch display like the iPhone 5, and likely make use of plastic casing materials. The report claims that Apple has been testing "different color shells" for the lower-cost iPhone but that its ultimate plans remain unclear.

Update: The Wall Street Journal has expanded its report to include additional context, including word that iOS 7 is expected to debut in the middle of this year, presumably alongside the new iPhone hardware as is tradition for Apple.
How the innards of the next iPhone may differ from the iPhone 5, which went on sale last September, remains unclear. Apple often upgrades the processor and other components like the camera between models. Apple is also expected to ship the next version of its iOS mobile operating system around midyear, other people familiar with the matter have said.


Tag: wsj.com
[ 109 comments ]

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Northgrove
86 months ago
The iPhone 5 is already awesome in my opinion. The problem isn't the phone. It's the freaking OS.
Rating: 21 Votes
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cclloyd
86 months ago
We all look for the 5S then BAM iPhone 7. It's so good it skips 6.
Rating: 15 Votes
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nepalisherpa
86 months ago
If June/July launch is to happen then we should see an event within the next two weeks or so. I am more curious about iOS 7 than 5S.
Rating: 10 Votes
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absurdamerica
86 months ago

Cheaper iPhone just sounds like the dumbest idea ever. Apple wants to be known as the Ferrari of the technology industry. Ferrari would never announce a cheap Ferrari.


No, comparing a phone manufacturer to a super-premium luxury automaker is the dumbest idea ever.
Rating: 9 Votes
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ajvizzgamer101
86 months ago
Cheaper iPhone just sounds like the dumbest idea ever. Apple wants to be known as the Ferrari of the technology industry. Ferrari would never announce a cheap Ferrari.
Rating: 9 Votes
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clibinarius
86 months ago
They'd better deliver something to make me optimistic about or...I'm done with iOS. I'm not a fan of having to jailbreak and not update anymore. That's the main drawback of google, right? Waiting for a release of software?
Rating: 8 Votes
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Baklava
86 months ago
Skipping > Waiting for iPhone 6
Rating: 6 Votes
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iSteve-O
86 months ago
The 5S, yawn. :mad:

Wake me up when the iPhone 6 is here.
Rating: 6 Votes
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caligomez
86 months ago
I'm actually more anxious to see the next version of iOS (7) rather than new hardware.. Just seems like nothing new is really coming..
Rating: 4 Votes
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Bako-MacAddict
86 months ago

The 5S, yawn. :mad:

Wake me up when the iPhone 6 is here.


I bet you'll be pre-order one on midnight :D

Jk
Rating: 3 Votes

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