This morning’s report that claims the iPhone 5 will now launch a month later than its expected September release will be a huge blow to some, but as long as you’re not too concerned about having your device made by Apple, you can get an iPhone 5 today in China.
After a torrent of speculation surrounding the Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone in recent months — nearly all of which has offered the same launch date — it seems the iPhone 5 may not be arriving this September after all.
The iPhone 5’s rumored September release isn’t far away now, and as we enjoy a number of case leaks and photos of the device (purportedly) in the wild, carriers are beginning to prepare themselves for its launch. AT&T has reportedly begun communicating launch plans to its staff, but Korean carrier KT has even started listing the device in its system.
Hold on to your hats, because the iPhone 5 may have just been spotted in the wild, again. In classic fashion, an anonymous tipster has snagged a not-so-clear picture of what he claims to be Apple’s next iPhone.
Taken in San Francisco, this picture is of an alleged Apple employee on his way home from work. The tipster in question feels very strongly that the device in the employee’s hands is an iPhone 5, and he just may be right.
Photos published by TechCrunch this morning reportedly claim to be of the upcoming “iPhone Lite,” with panels made from plastic rather than glass, and a “metal banding around the edge.” However, I’m adamant it’s just a poor quality white iPhone 4 conversion kit. What do you think?
It seems reasonable by now to expect Apple’s iPhone 5 to launch this September. Considering all the speculation we’ve waded through over the past few months, a September launch has certainly been the most consistent claim. And while we’re no closer to an exact launch date, the China Times pinpoints the second week of September for the launch of the fifth-generation device, and later this fall for the launch of the iPad 3.
Despite what seems like too much iPhone 5 speculation at times, technical specifications and design details regarding Apple’s fifth-generation device are still very much a mystery to mere mortals like you and I. However, that doesn’t stop 35% of consumers wanting to buy the device before they’ve even seen it.
Prototype case designs coming out of Chinese accessory makers based upon leaked Foxconn intelligence are painting a dramatic picture of the next iPhone. If these leaks are right, the iPhone 5 won’t be a mere iPhone 4S, but rather a radical new device that not only boasts a curved, more ergonomic design and a larger display, but also revolutionizes one of the core aspects of the iOS experience… it totally gets rid of the Home button.
It’s looking increasingly likely as the weeks go on that Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone will launch this September, and strengthening all that speculation is a new report that claims AT&T is now beginning to communicate launch plans to its staff.
According to a “very reliable source,” iPhone Italia has reported that one of Switzerland’s carriers, Swisscom, will start offering the rumored iPhone 5 on October 5. Also, the Italian site’s source is “100% sure” that the iPhone 5 will also be available in the US on September 5, as Apple would already have to be talking with carriers about distribution for a new device this Fall.
With AT&T in the process of gobbling up T-Mobile, and with rumors consistently suggesting that Apple will bring the iPhone 5 to T-Mobile, it’s hard not to think of this as significant: T-Mobile is now giving out iPhone 4 compatible Micro SIMs to their customers.
Every time there’s an anticipated release — a movie, a book, a new gadget — there’s always someone clamoring to be first in line to get it. Some of these people are just honest fans literally counting down the seconds until release. Some are just addicted to seeing their names in the paper. And some are just there to cash in on the notoriety of being first.
That all being true, we’re not surprised that even though the iPhone 5 hasn’t even been announced yet, there’s already someone camped out in line for one. What is surprising is he’s so open about why he’s doing it: for the publicity.
Apple is set to offer a $350 budget iPhone without contract, in addition to a fifth-generation device by the end of this summer, according to “an incredibly solid source” for Boy Genius Report. But neither device is likely to surprise us with its design.
Images posted to the Chinese microblogging site Weibo and first published by Apple.pro purportedly depict a fifth-generation iPhone with a design identical to that of the iPhone 4, running Apple’s iPhone test software. iTunes seems to identify the device as a first-generation iPod touch, so could this really be September’s new iPhone?
While we’ve had no official confirmation that Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone will launch this year at all, the vast majority of recent speculation seems to agree that the device will be available this September. Strengthening those claims is a new Apple job listing posted in the U.K. for temporary “iPhone Sales Specialists” to work between August and October.
Following recent rumors that Apple may be adding a second manufacturer to its iPad supply chain for the launch of a third device, Foxconn Electronics has reportedly “exerted its efforts to protect its orders” and has “persuaded” Apple not to shift production of the device to a second contractor.
A rather sketchily sourced report says that the iPhone 5 is now in the hands of AT&T’s Mobility division, which is responsible for third-party testing of smartphones before they officially debut. We’re pretty skeptical, but if it’s true, it could mean that the next iPhone could be announced by the end of the month.
These photographs, purportedly depicting Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5, clearly reveal the fifth-generation device will boast a dual LED camera flash, two cameras for taking 3D photos, and a new edge-to-edge display.
At least they would if they were genuine. Which we’re almost certain they’re not.
Electrical fault or bug? We’d be willing to guess the former, but an iOS developer testing his software running iOS 5 Beta 2 says that the latest developer preview caused his iPhone 4 cable to erupt into flame.
A very questionably sourced report claims that the next iPod Touch will join the iPad and iPhone and gain 3G data connectivity. That’s certainly always been the dream, and it would be enough for many iPhone users to ditch their cell phone contracts and go totally VoIP on a cheaper iPod Touch. But is it really plausible?
As an alternative to the iPhone 5 mock-up we posted last week, Mac Magazine put together this great concept of what the iPhone 5 could look like.
Over the last few months, the rumor mill has just been incapable of agreeing whether or not the next iPhone will be a modest update on the iPhone 4 called the iPhone 4S, or a more revolutionary update called the iPhone 5. We’ve even heard that Apple will release both an iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 in September.
Now ThisIsMyNext is reporting that there is no iPhone 4s at all. Rather, reports of an iPhone 4s have been informed by Apple’s method of testing the iPhone 5 prototype inside of the enclosure of an old iPhone 4.
Following its report yesterday that promises a thinner, lighter iPhone 5 by the end of this year, The Wall Street Journal now offers us some information on Apple’s 2012 iPhone, which it says will boast a whole “new way of charging.”
Apple’s iPhone 5, expected to launch later this year, will be “thinner and lighter” than the current device, and will feature a much improved camera, according to The Wall Street Journal.
A Taiwan-based component maker in Apple’s supply chain is reportedly set to produce 15 million units of the fifth-generation iPhone, according to a new report — readying the device for a September launch. Though it may not boast that major redesign many had been hoping for.