A new report says production of the next iPhone is set to begin in August with launch of the device slated to happen by the end of September.
That’s been the prevailing thinking for the last couple of weeks. The only question is if the next iPhone will be what some are calling the iPhone 4S – essentially a less-expensive version of the iPhone 4 with some minor upgrades – or the full-blown fifth-generation iPhone.
The latest news about a production ramp-up comes from Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, who just wrapped meetings with people close to Apple’s supply chain and manufacturing facilities. In a new note to clients, Huberty said production on the next iPhone will start in mid-to-late August “and ramp aggressively" into Q4, according to Apple Insider, with a September launch date likely.
If true, it seems likely we’ll hear about it from Apple in early September, when the company usually hosts an event to announce upgrades to its iPod line. Also possible at that September event is an announcement about Apple-branded televisions, which would presumably come with iTunes and other software built in. Huberty backed that up in her note, saying the hardware could add $19 billion annually to Apple revenues.
