Commercial Times, a Chinese-language newspaper, claims Apple (AAPL) will begin trial production of a new version of its iPhone 5, or iPhone 5S, as early as December.
[via DigiTimes] “Facing low yield rates in the production of iPhone 5, Apple has accelerated the certification processes for related parts and components for the iPhone 5S,” the paper revealed.The publication then claims that besides the initial production volumes of the new iPhone, which will likely top 50,000-100,000 units, the iPhone 5S could enter volume production in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. If that’s the case, the iPhone 5’s refresh may come earlier than most have expected.
Apple released its first iPhone in June 2007. Since then the gadget’s annual mid-year release cycle remained predictable until the launch of the iPhone 4S, which launched in October 2011. Cupertino then continued this fall-release schedule with the iPhone 5 in fiscal 2012. As a result, many have expected iPhone 5’s next year refresh to launch in the fall of 2013.
That said, and considering Commercial Times’ spotty record as an accurate source of information in the past, it remains to be seen if the iPhone 5S launch will indeed be accelerated.
AAPL ended higher $9.31, or 1.73%, to $547.06 in late trading Friday.
h/t macrumors
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