According to Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to release the golden master version of iOS 5 to manufacturers between September 23-30. Manufacturers will then flash the OS onto iPhone handsets in time for the iPhone 5 launch in October.
A golden master release is identical to release that will eventually find its way into the hands of the public. According to Kuo, the next-gen iPhone and iPod touch were sent into mass production in late August, and manufacturers will begin the final step of assembly – flashing iOS onto the devices – as soon as they receive the golden master.
With shipping on these handsets estimated at 10-12 days, it’s likely that the actual iPhone 5 launch will occur in mid-October. iOS 5 will come pre-installed on both the iPhone 5 and new models of the iPod touch.
