iPhone 5 Release Date Delayed?

Yes, as you can imagine, the iPhone 5 rumors are beginning to fly fast and furious and the most recent reports are indicating that there may be some hiccups with the new iPhone 5 release date.

According to 9to5 Mac, it appears that the iPhone 4S (dubbed to be a lower-end iPhone, nearly identical in form to the existing iPhone 4) is moving along nicely through production and should launch in early October (widely expected to be October 7, 2011) and there will be plenty of supply for consumers to get their hands on one.

However, there's a different tune with the new iPhone 5 release date and it appears that this higher-end, newly designed, iPhone 5 is facing potential production delays.

It appears that the tear-drop shaped iPhone 5 with larger screen and thinner, rounder body is seeing continued design and production delays, at least on one assembly line (Apple has multiple production sources – Pegatron, Foxconn, etc). We therefore think that iPhone 5 will be delayed slightly at the very least and may see shortages all the way into 2012. - Source 9to5 Mac

With that said, and as usual, stay tuned as more of this story will certainly unfold since we're getting awfully close to the new iPhone release date - whatever it turns out to be!

iPhone 5 Release Date News - Verizon Moving iPhone 4 Accessories

The latest iPhone 5 release date news, rumors, and speculation comes from a tipster who alerted Phone Arena (a tech blog) that Verizon wireless is beginning to discount iPhone 4 accessories.  If the tipster's leak is found to be credible, then that would indicate that Verizon wireless is looking to move inventory of iPhone 4 accessories (ahead of the next generation iPhone release date) to make room for the next generation iPhone accessories.

Latest Rumors Pointing Towards an iPhone 5 Release Date?

This latest iPhone rumor would also indicate that we may be looking at an iPhone 5 release date instead of the potential iPhone 4S release date we've been hearing a buzz about lately.

If you're not up to speed with the latest iPhone rumors, recent speculation has been hinting that Apple has been having issues with an overheating A5 chip (supposed next generation iPhone processor).

Consequently, an iPhone 5 release date (bringing with it a newly redesigned iPhone) has been put off and would be replaced by an iPhone 4S release date (a minor update to the existing iPhone 4).

However, if Verizon wireless is truly discounting iPhone 4 accessories, then you'd have to believe they're making room for new iPhone accessories that would accomadate a new iPhone design.  Otherwise, similar to the iPhone 3 to iPhone 3GS upgrade, the existing iPhone 4 accessories would fit the rumored iPhone 4S and, as a result, Verizon's existing iPhone 4 accessories wouldn't need to be blown out to make room for the next gen iPhone accessories.

Next Generation iPhone Release Date Timing

Whatever surprises are in store for us when the next generation iPhone launches, most iPhone rumors are still pointing towards an early September next generation iPhone release date in the U.S. while a next generation iPhone release date would occur a month later Internationally.

Stay tuned for more iPhone rumors as they will be surely making the rounds, sooner rather than later, as the next gen iPhone release date nears.  This far along in the process, it's nearly impossible to keep the iPhone leaks from coming.

If an iPhone release date is looming, Apple has already alterted their vendors to important deadlines and vendors are most certainly actively involved (and have been actively involved) in getting the next generation iPhone and next gen iPhone accessories to market.

iPhone 6 Release Date Rumors

Believe it or not, the iPhone 6 release date is already on the radar and rumor has it that the new iPhone 6 launch will be coming sometime in the first half of 2012 according to MacRumors (via Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo):

"Kuo claims that the sixth-generation iPhone will be the model to carry a substantial redesign and could launch in the first half of 2012, even with a later-than-usual introduction of 2011's iPhone model."

The 2011 iPhone model Kuo is referring to is the iPhone 5.  If you're not up to speed on the iPhone 5, check out the rumors and speculation circulating around the iPhone 5 release date and then come back to see how the iPhone 5 release date ties together with the iPhone 6 release date rumors.

For starters, there's definitely a lot of buzz surrounding the iPhone 5 release date as the speculation floating around the blogosphere is that the typical June / July iPhone release date is not going to happen this year.  Instead, all rumors are pointing to the iPhone 5 release date being pushed into the later summer / early fall.  These rumors also point towards a consolidated iPhone model compatible with both AT&T / Verizon wireless networks.  In short, one world iPhone 5 with a wireless chip that will enable the new iPhone 5 to work on either wireless network.

Rumor has it that the iPhone 5 form factor is supposed to resemble the iPhone 4, but it looks like a new A5 dual core processor will be found under the hood and it will be driving a major software update - Apple's new IOS 5 currently in development.

Kuo notes that the iPhone 5 should set the stage for an iPhone 6 release date that brings with it a fully redesigned iPhone 6.  With the speed at which competitive Android smartphones have been coming to the market on the back of rapidly releasing new mobile technology (hardware and software), it only makes sense that Apple will move to a more frequent iPhone launch cycle to remain competitive.  No complaints here!

If you have more fuel to throw onto the iPhone 6 release date or the iPhone rumor mill, have at it in the comments!

iPhone 5 Release Date Update

The iPhone 5 release date rumors have been all over the place with reports coming from nearly every corner of the blogosphere in regards to when the new iPhone 5 will be released.

Reuters is now chiming in with a report that the iPhone 5 release date will be sometime this summer.

"Apple's next-generation iPhone will have a faster processor and will begin shipping in September, three people with direct knowledge of the company's supply chain said."

Their report is also suggesting that the new iPhone 5 will go into production in July or August and it will, by and large, look similar to the form factor of an iPhone 4.

As we've come to expect from recent Apple iPhone launches, the iPhone 5 rumor mill is in overdrive and should continue to be as Spring fades into Summer!

As the iPhone 5 rumors currently sit, it looks like the standard June / July iPhone launch will be delayed (which would correspond to earlier claims from the Loop that the new iPhone 5 release date would be delayed) and the iPhone 5 will simply be a refresh of the iPhone 4.

iPhone 5 Release Date

The rumor mill has had the iPhone 5 release date pegged for June or July 2011.  However, "The Loop" is now reporting that the iPhone 5 release date may not happen on Apple's traditional early summer product cycle release this year:

My sources said today that rumors of an iPhone 5 release at the end of June were completely false. -- The Loop

At this point, nothing should surprise us when it comes to Apple.  Yes, their iPhone product cycle release has become a bit predictable and Apple likes to be anything but predictable when it comes to bringing product to the market.  At a certain point, you also have to wonder if it's even feasible for Apple to remain competitive in the smartphone market if they're only going to update the iPhone once a year.

Android smartphones, for good reason and in a relatively short period of time, have become very popular with the consumer and are increasingly becoming extremely competitive when compared to the iPhone. In fact, at this point, some tech gurus would argue that Android smartphones are already surpassing the iPhone if you're willing to look past the polish and Android OS fragmentation.  "There's an App for that ..." could now be referring to the Android Market, too!

Adding further fuel to the fire, since there are countless smartphone manufacturers developing cell phone handsets powered by Google's Android, the competition is clearly resulting in the tech envelop being pushed to the limit.  There's no doubt that the Android vs iPhone debate can now be taken seriously and Apple has to be feeling this pressure.  They certainly didn't make it to the top of the hill by ignoring the obvious!

So, if you're holding off on purchasing a new Verizon iPhone 4 or a new AT&T iPhone 4, you may need to rethink your decision in case the rumor mill's got it right and there won't be an iPhone 5 release date to look forward to this summer!

Stay tuned as more iPhone 5 rumors will most certainly be hitting the tech wire in the days and weeks to come.