Supply chain sources say Apple is ramping up its game

Dec 3, 2014 19:16 GMT  ·  By

A rather intriguing rumor pegs the iPhone 7 release date for autumn 2015 instead of the expected 2016 timeframe, which would break Apple’s bi-annual refresh cycle, in what is regarded as an answer to new carrier plans that allow more frequent upgrades.

This rumor is the stuff of science fiction if you ask any Apple fan, but according to a source in the supply chain, the Cupertino, California company is finally prepared to break the habit of releasing an all-new iPhone once every two years.

Keeping up with the times

Apple is looking to stay ahead of the game by releasing its formerly predictable S-upgrade in spring, rather than in the autumn of 2015. This is because Samsung keeps rolling out smartphone after smartphone and because carriers like Verizon and AT&T have started to make alterations to their smartphone plans.

A source in the supply chain who remains unnamed tells StableyTimes that “Apple is looking at a condensed six month release timetable,” adding that the company’s legendary habit of offering an S-upgrade every other year was matched to carrier policies.

Verizon NEXT and AT&T EDGE are offered as examples of all-new plans that allow more frequent upgrades for smartphone buyers and one of the primary reasons why Apple is taking steps to alter its business model.

iPhone 6 in spring, iPhone 7 in fall

The source noted that (in the report’s own words) “Apple has also seen such a strong response to its major stylistic redesign with the iPhone 6 that it’s now heavily invested in the idea of making a major design change every other year [...] Apple is hesitant about launching the iWatch in the spring of 2015 without a new iPhone to go along with it.”

The cited reason is it could cause consumers to be hesitant to wait to buy both in fall, which is a laughable theory, considering Apple’s prices. However, it’s still worth considering that this much information is being dished out amid other seemingly reasonable arguments (i.e. the carrier plans and Samsung’s annual army of upgrades).

Apple is therefore bent on bringing the iPhone 6S launch closer to the Apple Watch debut, leaving the iPhone 7 for September 2015.

The report then backtracks on its statements, saying than another theory would put the 6S in spring and the 7 in the spring of next year, which is even more absurd, unless Apple completely jettisons the current upgrade model and makes radical changes to its manufacturing contracts with Foxconn and other partners in the Far East.

iPhone concept (5 Images)

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