Speculation rises on iPhone 5 release
An 8 gigabyte iPhone. Speculation is emerging as to the release date of the iPhone 5.
(Photo courtesy of Flickr user rasice)
Speculation is emerging with regard to the release date of the iPhone 5, as internet rumors on the design and differences in model continue to emerge.
According to a report from the technology news site Mashable, a technology blog based in Japan, citing sources from China, is saying the new iPhone will be released in the fall. The blog, Macotakara, says according to Mashable that the new phone could possibly have a different look than the model currently available. The black panel could consist of glass and aluminum, the report adds.
A separate report from Mashable notes the Chinese e-commerce web site Taobao is taking preorders for the new models, citing a report from Reuters. The phones are due to be bought in the U.S. and Hong Kong. Deposits from $160, Mashable notes, are being accepted, however some are asking for full payments of $1,100. “Demand is high. Yesterday someone just bought two phones. Altogether we have about two dozen orders,” one Taobao seller told Reuters. “It’s not so easy to bring the phones from overseas, there’s a limit to how many you can carry in. If we could bring in a few thousand that will be great!” Mashable and Reuters note that the U.S. and Hong Kong are locations that would get Apple products first before the products were set to arrive in China.
Apple did not respond to phone calls requesting comment to the reports. Apple has not publicly released any timetable information at this writing with regard to the iPhone 5. According to Reuters, Apple is set to release the iPhone 5 between August and October of this year. The reports and preorders come as popularity for Apple products peaks in China.