Apple can be preparing for a June/July 'iPhone 5' launch and WWDC announcement

[ThatsMeRight]

As far as I can tell, when parts start leaking it usually means the product is near release with Apple. There has been case prototypes which is not made by Apple previously and it never came true for the tear drop design. This is very close to release and I am certain we might see a summer launch. And no it will not compete with iPads as they are two different products. If that was the case they would never would have produced the iPad to begin with.

Well, what a coincidence: photographs of an unreleased iPhone are leaking out.

This only adds to my believe that Apple might be releasing a new iPhone this WWDC 2012. How often do almost-finished product designs from Apple leak five months or more ahead of a product launch? Not often.

Again, I still think it isn't likely that Apple will announce a new iPhone in just a few weeks, but the possibility is definitely still there (and the chances are growing as we speak).

----------

When is the next big announcement?

In less than two weeks from now: the WWDC 2012 keynote (traditionally the biggest keynote of the year) takes place on Monday, June 11.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Anything's possible.

If the 7" iPad turns out to be true, the rumors pegged it for a Fall release.

Maybe Apple would shift the iPhone back to summer, and have the iPad 7" in the Fall. Maybe they don't want to give Samsung such a head start with the SIII too?

: shrug :

 

[burnside]

What blows my mind is that people still believe that Apple doesn't do leaks. With how much control they have over their supply line, you guys REALLY think that these part leaks are really from insider sources? And that the beer-gate thing was really an accident? Apple saves millions upon millions in advertising by doing stuff like that and letting the lot of you spread this stuff for free publicity.

I'm kind of surprised that with all these leaks that we don't hear Apple going after the individual or company. When they went after Gizmodo, it made sense, but I haven't seen any news about going after these leaks since then. Makes me believe you might be onto something.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

The new iPhone will be released when Apple feels like releasing it. This was told to me from trustworthy insiders. It's been also confirmed that it will have a screen and iOS.

 

[ajcadoo]

With today's leaks about the iPhone 5, I could definitely see an iPhone released in Late June or Early July.

The leaks today would be WAYYYY too early for an October release.

 

[Dwalls90]

If we are seeing this many leaks, I think a near release is POSSIBLE, but not definite.

Maybe Apple will change their release schedule once again:

iPad: Spring
iPhone: Summer
iPad Mini/iPods: Fall

 

[burnside]

It's hard to pinpoint launch dates with Apple nowadays. Apple used to surprise me with new designs or features, but now I get more surprised by their launch dates.

 

[URFloorMatt]

I remember last year, nobody saw the 'the no new iPhone at WWDC', everybody thought Apple had some grand plan in store since it waited a few months for a newer iPhone. Yet we got the 4S.

What? Plenty of people saw no new iPhone at WWDC. There can never be a new iPhone without an iOS beta beforehand.

Using previous iOS updates as a guide, the fastest turnaround is about 2.5 months, which would allow for a new iPhone sometime after Labor Day, which--not coincidentally--is historically when Apple has held their iPod event. Because the iPod line is mostly dead weight now, it can't carry its own event. And I think Apple needs to release the iPhone in the Oct-Dec quarter for stockholder purposes.

If the Apple TV is coming next year, we could see a shift. I don't know when most manufacturers release their new sets, and I don't know if Apple cares to follow them or not. There are four quarters, and Apple ideally needs a tentpole in each. They've already told us that OS X will be one of its tentpoles every year, with an annual update, so it's easy to picture the four being: the iTV, iPad, iPhone, and OS X/Macs.

This year, we already know the July-Sept item is OS X, so there really isn't space for the iPhone.

 

[Darthdingo]

Doesn't Apple release the beta for testing of the newest iOS a few months before the actual phone comes out for sale ? iOS6 has still not been officially announced yet, so I would think we are still a good couple months out from the next iPhone hitting stores.

Once iOS6 is revealed on June 11th, then add 2 - 4 months after that for the actual phone's release.

 

[rovex]

They would really be throwing the kitchen sink if an iPhone made an appearance alongside new iMacs, Macbook pro's and iTV.

 

[lilo777]

For the one millionth time, I don't read all your posts. How are you so absolutely one-hundred percent sure that Apple will not release an iPhone this Summer? As I said, it's unlikely they will, but in the post I have written I clearly explained why there at least is a possibility.

It's easy. If they were to release new iPhone in Summer, at least one test phone would have been already dropped in some SF bar. So, relax and wait till Fall.

 

[iMachine]

I'm convinced more than ever now that Apple will launch the next iPhone in June, especially if the iPhone 5 (or whatever) was originally planned for last year but delayed for technical reasons; it would certainly be ready by now even allowing for a specification upgrade.

But for me personally, the following reason is the clincher. With smartphones in general still rapidly increasing their market share, Apple really cannot afford to delay launching the next iPhone for another three to four months because a fair number of potential iPhone purchasers may end up buying an Android phone instead and these people may never ever consider buying an iPhone later on. (Just like choosing a PC instead of a Mac in the 1980s; something that nearly killed Apple.)

Does Apple seriously want to delay launching something that was being worked on when Steve Jobs was alive (iPhone 5) for another three or so months, allowing Samsung and Android to gain a small but significant chunk of market share at Apple's expense, causing iOS to potentially lose crucial momentum?

 

[ixodes]

With some luck Apple will do the right thing and not rush the upcoming phone to market. The later it arrives, the better chance that they will get it right.

 

[Nukemkb]

It is just not happening in June/July. Nice try.

 

[CrAkD]

I doubt it because iOS 6 hasn't been announced yet. The new iphone will get new hardware features and new software features. It wont be able to get the new software features until 6 comes out and they need a few months to beta test. Stranger things have happened they release the new iPad every year with the old iOS version for a few months but the iPhone is their bread and butter I doubt they'd do it. Plus alot of people are still locked in contracts over the 4S only coming out 8 months ago.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Plus alot of people are still locked in contracts over the 4S only coming out 8 months ago.

They'd still be locked into contracts in October, assuming you mean the standard 2 year contract.

 

[CrAkD]

They'd still be locked into contracts in October, assuming you mean the standard 2 year contract.

i just meant upgrade availability. AT&T usually allows upgrades after 1 year. But I don't think verizon does so i'm not sure how much impact this would make on apples decision. im just sure they want to sell as many as possible so the launch looks like a success.

 

[hakuna-matata]

It would be interesting to see just how many people decide to cancel their samsung gs3 preorders in next couple weeks.especially those with 2-year contracts

 

[cambookpro]

I SO want you to be true. Literally, I'd love to replace my 4 as it's starting to look old (not design wise - just things have worn out, like the home button's 'sticky' and the mute switch works intermittently.)

But I think it'll be Sep/Oct again

 

[ChrisTX]

All,

Apple ALWAYS releases a new OS with new iPhone hardware. They ALWAYS seed this new OS to developers for a minimum of approximately 90 prior to OS being released. That new ios then gets released along with the hardware. JUNE WWDC EQUALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER hardware release.

Until last year, Apple ALWAYS released the iPhone in June/July. Things most definitely could change. I doubt it, but you never know.

 

[onthecouchagain]

It would be interesting to see just how many people decide to cancel their samsung gs3 preorders in next couple weeks.especially those with 2-year contracts

These are likely controlled leaks precisely to deter early adopters of the SIII, which so happens to be launching outside of the USA today.

Could be a mere coincidence too, though...

 

[Dmunjal]

These are likely controlled leaks precisely to deter early adopters of the SIII, which so happens to be launching outside of the USA today.

Could be a mere coincidence too, though...

This. And it's a pretty obvious one at that. Marketing 101.

 

[iMachine]

Until last year, Apple ALWAYS released the iPhone in June/July. Things most definitely could change. I doubt it, but you never know.

In the past, Apple has released new Mac hardware shortly before a major Mac OS revision, with early purchasers getting a free upgrade to the next software release, so there is precedent for this sort of thing.

 

[gmhag]

Seems like i remember that the 4S was delayed last year because of the tsunami in Japan. I dont think that anyone doubts that if it werent for the tsunami disrupting manufacturing and distributions that we would have seen a regularly timed release.

I think that Apple has done their homework and realize that for the most optimal sales for the year that the June release maximizes iphone sales. In a June release the first wave of sales are all the people that have upgrades available durring Summer which leaves plenty of time for the holiday season to roll around and for supply to be stocked to sell for Christmas. The 4S release in Fall left all of those people trying to find one with short supply available. I would not doubt that it is in their plan to try to get the iphone release back to the original release month. Maybe they will split the difference and release in July or early August. Then next year June again.

 

[ChrisTX]

I'm kind of surprised that with all these leaks that we don't hear Apple going after the individual or company. When they went after Gizmodo, it made sense, but I haven't seen any news about going after these leaks since then. Makes me believe you might be onto something.

Even though Engadget actually showed the iPhone 4 before Gizmodo(I believe Josh said it was offered to them first, and they declined) Gizmodo had what was the legitimate real iPhone 4. Even if these leaks are real, Apple can't be too upset that the entire internet is buzzing about the next iPhone launch the day their competitors flagship phone launches.