This report is based on a conversation that Avian Securities had with a “key component supplier” and was brought to our attention via Apple Insider.
The conversation in its entirety is below:
Supporting out comments over the last month, conversations with yet another key component supplier indicates that production for iPhone-5 will begin in September.
This is consistent with Avian findings in the supply chain in recent months and we believe the consensus view is moving towards this scenario. In addition, our conversations also indicate the existence of a lower-spec/lower-priced iPhone in Apple’s roadmap.
However, while our contacts have seen the placeholder in the Apple roadmap, they do not yet have insight into specs or production timing. This leads us to believe that any launch is likely a very late 2011 or more likely a 2012 event. As a reminder, Avian has uncovered several data-points in recent months pointing to the existence of a lower-spec/lower-price iPhone. A lower-spec/lower-price iPhone has also been speculated in the press and gadget blogs, though we do not believe consensus currently discounts the existence of such a model.
While we have no reason to dispute the above conversation, we also have no reason to believe that it is true. Apple has consistently held a summer launch for new models of their iPhone. However, when you add it into the mix with other rumors, an end of the year iPhone 5 is looking more and more likely.
The Japan tsunami disaster, issues concerning a supplier for the expected 8MP iPhone 5 camera, the proposed launch of the “white iPhone”, and Apple’s summer launch of OS X Lion all would suggest that it will be late 2011 or early 2012 until we see the iPhone 5.
The positive take away from the conversation between Avian Securities is the mention of a lower priced / less spec iPhone 5. An iPhone 5 “Nano” would be interesting.