14 DAY TRIAL // In a report citing Taiwan-based supply chain makers, DigiTimes carefully mentions two distinct iPhones in development at Apple, one of which is coming in 2014. And it’s not the iPhone 5S.
Is Apple finally dumping its “S” moniker for incremental iPhone revisions? It appears so.
Lots of people are convinced Apple cannot afford to launch another incremental iPhone upgrade this year, especially considering rumors that the company isn’t innovating as it used to.
Those people include Wall Street analysts, pundits, folks who’ve written books about the iconic company, and parties who’ve done business with Apple in the past.
While the innovation bit is up for speculation, that “S” dubbing is indeed getting kind of old. It’s like the opposite of "third time’s a charm." By all accounts, it’s become a strike-three for Apple. Luckily, the bat is still swinging for the hit.
Remember how you felt in 2011 when Tim Cook & Co. announced the iPhone 4S instead of the iPhone 5? That’s right. Disappointed.
The 3GS before it was also a bit of a downer, and that displeasure carried over to the 4S two years later. That’s why it felt so heavy. That and the fact that it looked exactly like the iPhone 4.
Needless to point out, an iPhone 5S would have to carry all this cumulated unfulfillment on its shoulders, plus all the scrutiny that's been building up for Apple. My guess is it’s not happening.
Granted, my theory is also aided by a new DigiTimes report which may or may not be accurate, but I tend to give it some credit amid this judgment.
The story in question they’ve put out today says Pegatron is slated to start shipments of an inexpensive iPhone and a next-generation iPad mini in August. The final paragraph also mentions the “next-generation” iPhone.
“A next-generation iPhone and 9.7-inch iPad reportedly will appear in early 2014 and will be manufactured by Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry).”
This Q1 2014 forecast is shared by several analysts in the tech biz.
If this forecast holds water, Apple waiting for 2014 to launch the iPhone 5S is as probable as seeing a break-dance performance by Tim Cook at his next keynote address.
Disclaimer This is a Personal Thoughts piece reflecting the author’s “personal” opinion on matters relating to Apple and / or the products associated with the Apple brand. This article should not be taken as the official stance of Softpedia on Apple-related matters.