Looks like the white iPhone 4 is just about to be released.
One customer in the UK was able to buy a 16GB white iPhone 4 from Vodaphone, and an internal memo from BelCompany in the Netherlands says the near-mythical handset is being released next week — Wednesday, April 27th.
In addition, retailers in Europe are getting supplies of the iPhone with “do not open until April 27” stickers, says 9to5Mac.
It is not clear, however, if that is the worldwide launch for the white iPhone 4. But it certainly looks like it.
It appears the white handset will come in 16GB and 32GB configurations. Supplies are likely to be severely constrained. The white iPhone 4 was supposed to be available last year when the iPhone 4 launched but has been repeatedly delayed for manufacturing reasons. It’s likely that the white, semi-translucent body ruined photos taken with the built-in flash, as we exclusively reported last year.
The white iPhone 4 obtained by the Vodafone customer appears to have a new proximity sensor. The black iPhone 4 has suffered number of problems with the proximity sensor.
In the Netherlands, T-Mobile supposedly has one month exclusive on the white iPhone 4.
Of course, the availability of a new iPhone 4 model raises questions about the iPhone 5. Apple has traditionally released a new iPhone every summer. But why would the company release the white iPhone so late in the product cycle, just months before it is superseded by a fifth-generation handset?
Indeed, it increasingly looks like Apple will disrupt its product cycle this year. Several reports suggest the iPhone 5 will be released in the fall at the earliest, likely at the end of September.
