14 DAY TRIAL // Neowin has spotted what it calls 'a hint' to Apple's plans of releasing a new iPhone model in June in a Business 24-7 report. The UAE publication indeed notes that Apple's latest iPhone 3G model is launching in the territory as early as this month. The lucky carrier soon to offer its services to iPhone owners is etisalat.
However, the aforementioned site points out that, in addition to the February launch, the United Arab Emirates is getting a new device, citing the news source.
Nancy Sudheer reporting for Business 24-7 reveals that “The latest 3G model will become available on February 15 according to Dow Jones, and etisalat will be targeting private and business users. Both post-paid and prepaid subscribers will be able to use the product and voice, data and SMS services will be available. And the next version of the device, which is due out in June, will be launched in the UAE at the same time,” the text reads (highlight ours).
Has Apple announced a new iPhone model that we somehow missed out on...? Given the casual manner this statement was made in, coupled with the immense secrecy surrounding new Apple products, we can't possibly believe that Business 24-7 knows the launch date of Apple's new iPhone model (if it even exists) ahead of everyone else. Moreover, while the statement is made as if everyone is already aware of a new iPhone launching in June, no additional details (eg. changes in hardware) are included whatsoever. Most likely, we're dealing with a misinterpretation, or misinformation of the device(s) launching in the United Arab Emirates.
In the same report, Mark Davis, Programme Director for iPhone at etisalat, is cited as saying, "On an average a phone is replaced [in the UAE] every nine months, therefore there is tremendous potential for the iPhone. The iPhone will pick up aggressively in this part of the world."
There have been numerous rumors circulating lately about a new iPhone coming out of the Cupertino labs. None seems consistent enough to believe over another, although Apple is widely believed to be working on a next-gen handset. The only trouble is Apple hasn't dropped even the tiniest hint about it.