Yes, I know – the iPhone rumor mill has spun out of control, as always happens preceding a major release. Nevertheless, a new report has surfaced over at BGR suggesting that we may see a next-gen iPhone launch in August, along with a cheaper $349 (no-contract) iPhone 3GS.
(Note: the above image is merely a mock-up of a possible design)
According to one of BGR’s sources, whom they claim is typically a very solid source, Apple will be launching a next-generation iPhone in August. While they were unable to confirm whether or not it would have a new design, nor whether it would be called the iPhone 4S or the iPhone 5, the claim that it will at least be announced by the end of August, even if the release date is somewhat later.
Further, they suggest that the lack of 3rd-party case leaks for a redesigned iPhone might provide some good reasoning to think that we won’t see a major redesign in August, unless Apple’s seriously cracked down on specification leaks to 3rd parties.
In addition, the report claims that Apple will continue to sell the iPhone 4 under some kind of price reduction when they release the new model. This would mean that Apple would have 3 models available at various price points – the iPhone 3GS at $349 retail, the iPhone 4S/iPhone 5 at the typical $650/750 full retail price point, and the iPhone 4 somewhere in between.
BGR tends to have a good track record when it comes to this type of information. Nevertheless, this is still a rumor, and should be taken lightly until official information is released from Apple.