iPhone 5 Launching in Second Week of September? iPad 3 Later?

[MacRumors]

The China Times pinpoints the iPhone 5 release to the second week of September with an initial order of 4 million units. Suppliers are said to be currently preparing 400,000 trial run units. The news report also reports that the next iPad may be delayed until Thanksgiving due to component shortages.

A mid September launch lines up nicely with current expectations for the iPhone 5 release. Apple has held an iPod media event in September for the past 3 years. With no iPhone release during this year's WWDC, Apple is expected to include the iPhone launch at this September event alongside the public release of iOS 5.

There's been some debate about what features the iPhone 5 will include. Recently leaked case designs have shown some major design changes, while other sources have said the iPhone 5 will look largely like the iPhone 4.

The China Times has had a hit or miss record with Apple-related rumors, though they do seem close to Apple's suppliers in China and may certainly have knowledge of their production plans. Reuters had previously also reported the iPhone 5 would see a September release with production beginning in July.

Article Link: iPhone 5 Launching in Second Week of September? iPad 3 Later?

 

[macduke]

I have been thinking that they will likely launch in early September with the new iPod Touches. Then launch a couple weeks later, at the start of Fall, alongside iOS 5 and iCloud. Though they may stagger the launches to avoid a MobileMe debacle.

I think the iPhone case designs we have been seeing the last couple of days with the tapered edges may in fact by the rumored cheaper iPhone model. It could kind of look like thicker iPod Touch, have the same internals as the iPod Touch 4th gen except add in the cellular and 3G. They could capitalize on the cheaper parts they use in the iPod Touch to keep it so cheap, sell it for $99 on contract, $300-400 off contract unlocked?

As for the iPad, they might release a retina version before Christmas with a full blown update next year. If they do this, they might make it a $100 add-on or similar, but what I'm wondering is does anyone know if the video chipset in the iPad 2 can easily support resolutions larger than 1080p? Maybe for casual internet use and the like, but wouldn't that kill most games?

 

[haruhiko]

If there is an iPad 3 in 2011, I'm sure half of the purchasers of the iPad 2 will be seriously pissed off!

 

[iCrizzo]

I predict one of these predictions may be right at least once.

 

[tekker]

*crosses fingers for iPad 3/Pro*

 

[RawKurd]

can u imagine the ipad 3 being released on black friday? that would be hilarious

 

[User3977]

who cares when it comes out, show us what it looks like and spec's so i know if its worth waiting for or upgrading the 3G...

 

[srxtr]

Apple is gonna suck all my money away.

 

[koruki]

iPhone 5 maybe but no iPad 3 this year.

The iPhone 5 is behind compared to the usual refresh cycle. An iPad 3 launch in the same year as iPad 2 is likely to cause a lot of resentment among their loyal customers. Besides they aren't under much threat in the tablet space yet, still very competitively priced.

 

[wordoflife]

iPhone 5 ... yeah!
I thought the wait would kill me, but so far I'm still alive. That being said, it's still not released lol

 

[nikhsub1]

With the debacle last year with the iphone 4, I bet Apple has gone to extra lengths to throw off the design.

 

[Xtremehkr]

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It makes sense that the iPad 3 would be released in time for the holiday season. That's when a lot of competitors will likely release their best attempt at iPad imitations and might get close to the quality and performance of the 2. Best to hit the market with a brand new iPad leading into gift buying season that is unmatched.

Come to think of it, releasing the iPhone closer to Christmas doesn't seem like a bad idea either.

The good news is that iPad's hold their value extremely well, good news for those who want the latest model anyway and have a 1 or 2 to sell.

 

[wjlafrance]

When you say "they won't release it the same year as the iPad 2" all I'm hearing is "they won't release it because the previous model is still for sale."

I predict that Ford won't come out with a 2012 F150 because the people with a 2011 F150 will be upset.

 

[pyro008]

Can you stop using that picture that makes it look like an official announcement?

 

[PCClone]

All I want is the iPhone to come to T-Mobile.

 

[DeathChill]

I think the iPhone case designs we have been seeing the last couple of days with the tapered edges may in fact by the rumored cheaper iPhone model. It could kind of look like thicker iPod Touch, have the same internals as the iPod Touch 4th gen except add in the cellular and 3G. They could capitalize on the cheaper parts they use in the iPod Touch to keep it so cheap, sell it for $99 on contract, $300-400 off contract unlocked?

I am pretty sure Gruber hinted at the iPod Touch being replaced by a low end iPhone, which is actually pretty smart I suppose:

And if you read between the lines in Cook’s comments on the prepaid market, he seems to be hinting strongly that Apple is going to soon pursue the unlocked market with a lower-priced no-contract iPhone. Maybe the iPod Touch goes away, replaced by a $249 or $299 no-contract iPhone?

http://daringfireball.net/linked/2011/07/19/tim-cook-call

EDIT: I got down voted for posting Apple rumours on an Apple rumours site? Interesting.

 

[RafaelT]

Great, so to summarize.. no new news!

 

[SideStepSociety]

When you say "they won't release it the same year as the iPad 2" all I'm hearing is "they won't release it because the previous model is still for sale."

I predict that Ford won't come out with a 2012 F150 because the people with a 2011 F150 will be upset.

I'll second that motion.

 

[kultschar]

Hmm apart from speed and poss camera upgrade I think Apple need something big to wow me for iPhone 5.

IOS5 runs fine on my iPhone 4, what cool things could Apple suprise us with hardware wise??

 

[Batteman87]

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Camera+ just updated with a star by an item saying they cant name the OS that the update is for iOS 5 otw w/ new products!

 

[fjose1929]

Baloney

If there is an iPad 3 in 2011, I'm sure half of the purchasers of the iPad 2 will be seriously pissed off!

There will. Be no iPad 3. This is another ploy by WS SHYSTERS to stop the onslaught. They also have no clue as to iPhone 5 release. They néed to continue their weekly options shenanigans.

I bet iPhone 5 is released in august.

 

[haruhiko]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_9 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8E501 Safari/6533.18.5)

Camera+ just updated with a star by an item saying they cant name the OS that the update is for iOS 5 otw w/ new products!

Okay, it's the OS that shall not be named. I saw an app update calling it "bug fixes for an unreleased OS"

 

[PJMAN2952]

If there is an iPad 3 in 2011, I'm sure half of the purchasers of the iPad 2 will be seriously pissed off!

Heck ya. They better release it next year.

 

[Obscurelight]

Oooooooook...... Time for the iPhone release rumor wars to start.................

 

[nagromme]

iPad 3 this fall... would be a delay?