14 DAY TRIAL // Japan’s Macotakara, which has a reliable track record on Apple rumors, claims to have heard from “informed sources” that Foxconn has already begun mass production of the iPhone 5S, an unconfirmed new version of the iPhone.
If history is any indication, Apple will indeed roll out an “S” iteration of the iPhone 5 in 2013, before it proceeds to release the full-fledged next-generation iPhone 6 in 2014.
And according to Japanese blog Macotakara, which has a fairly accurate track record of reporting Apple rumors, production for the former is well underway.
A rough English translation from the Japanese report reads, “According to the informed sources who can trust it, Foxconn is talking with it seeming that […] started a part of production of iPhone 5S at the plant.”
The report goes to add that it’s all smooth sailing from here, since Foxconn is already well accustomed to the iPhone 5 design. The iPhone 5S reportedly has an almost identical chassis and may arrive in different colors, with beefed up internals and better cameras.
“It seems that most production-process alterations cannot be found so that it may be produced with the same line as iPhone 5,” reads the blog.
While the report may or may not be fabricated, it’s pretty strange that Foxconn would start mass production of an Apple device that isn’t slated for launch until August. Or at least that’s what the analysts are saying.
However, should Apple decide to unveil the new smartphone at its annual developers conference, the WWDC, a June launch would somewhat support this new rumor.
However, it’s worth pointing out that Apple never kicks off iPhone production earlier than necessary, in order to avoid leaks.
It remains to be seen whether other sources are able to validate this report in the coming weeks / months.