We are getting more indications why Apple suddenly put in orders for more iPhone 4 components. The tech giant will unveil an updated version of the stalwart iPhone 4 tailored for the China market, a Wall Street analyst told investors Monday.
The device is “based on the current iPhone 4 but with some minor improvements could target the midrange and focus on China,” writes J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz. The iPhone 4, in turn, replaces the iPhone 3GS as the entry-level Apple handset.
The analyst note seems to confirm a Reuters report we commented on last month. That report suggested Apple will unveil a more inexpensive 8GB handset. Until now, Apple has always demurred when question whether it would introduce a lower-priced iPhone.
Last week, we reported analysts suggesting a “rush order” for iPhone components may be going to build more iPhone 4s, rather than the much-expected iPhone 5. One analyst told Bloomberg a rush order received by TSMC “are likely not from a new or unknown product, but rather imply more needed capacity with a mature product offering.”
Moskowitz did not waste a chance to speculate on what the iPhone 5 might include. He told investors he expects a thinner, lighter handset, beefed up with both CDMA and GSM technology for a so-called “world mode” phone. The new handset will either include the A5 processor now part of the iPad 2 or the newer A6. Finally, Moskowitz believes the iPhone 5 will have an additional 1GB of RAM to speed operations.
The iPhone 5 is expected to be released later this month or in early October.
