iPhone 5: Not coming soon
New iPhones are typically unveiled in early summer, but reported delays make that very unlikely this year. How long must fans wait?
Every June or July, Apple fans are typically greeted with the release of a new iPhone. But this year will probably be the exception. Reportedly, the company has not started production on the iPhone 5, or even released a production plan to its suppliers. So, when are Apple enthusiasts like to get their shiny new smartphones?
The iPhone 5 will be out by year's end: A June launch seems nearly impossible, but it's a "good bet" that the iPhone 5 will still be out in time for the holiday shopping season, says Philip Elmer-DeWitt at Fortune. "But with a pack of Google Android phones breathing down its neck, Apple can't wait forever."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Or it could be early 2012: A pre-holiday launch could "damage the iPad 2's chances as a hot Christmas gift," says Rick Aristotle Munarriz at The Motley Fool. That could push the iPhone 5 into early 2012. But if that's the plan, Apple will have a hard time selling iPhone 4s when everyone's waiting on the iPhone 5. And "iLoyalists" have come to expect regular, annual upgrades on their gadgets. Will members of the cult of Apple lose the faith?
"Winners and Losers of an iPhone 5 Delay"
Fear not, the elusive white iPhone 4 is coming soon: We've heard that Apple "will start selling a white version of its iPhone 4 in the next few weeks," while the iPhone 5 will likely come out in September, say Tim Culpan, Adam Satariano and Greg Bensinger at Bloomberg. And "adding a white model may help spur demand as Apple works on the next generation of its top-selling product."
"Apple is said to be ready to sell white iPhone model after 10-month wait
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why ghost guns are so easy to make — and so dangerous
The Explainer Untraceable, DIY firearms are a growing public health and safety hazard
By David Faris Published
-
The Week contest: Swift stimulus
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'It's hard to resist a sweet deal on a good car'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published