Still officially unannounced, but widely rumored and expected Apple’s next generation iPhone – or iPhone 5 as called by hi-tech enthusiasts – has gone into production in Shanghai, according to a report in DigiTimes magazine.
Elsewhere, plugged-in KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who shed some light on iPhone 5 specifications recently, says that the phone will launch in September followed closely by the release of “iPad mini.”
“iPhone 5 to debut in September,” he wrote in a note to clients. Ming-Chi’s adds also that a tweaked version of Apple’s current third-generation iPad will be released around the same time mirrors earlier reports, which claimed Apple is planning some internal redesigns that address heat issues and reduce Apple’s costs.
“Overall smartphone sales should spike to an all-time high this fall — and of course Apple is going to be the number one beneficiary,” noted Dr. Paul Carton, 451’s vice president of research. The survey of over 4,500 North American buyers showed a strong uptick in consumers likely to buy Apple’s latest: 31 percent, as compared to 21 percent in October.
A number of reports also suggest Apple will move to a smaller dock connector on the base of the phone, meaning the ecosystem of gadgets that connect through it will no longer work.
