According to four insiders cited by Reuters, Apple plans to start test production of the low-cost iPhone 5S and the iPhone 6 next month. Mass production is set to start in August, ahead of a simultaneous launch in September.
In keeping with previous rumours, the more affordable iPhone will ostensbily be available in up to six colour options, the report claims. And it’s precisely this shift away from Apple’s any-colour-as-long- as-its-black-or-white policy for iPhones that has delayed gestation of the products until now, it seems.
An insider with “direct knowledge of the matter” told the business-centric site: "Trial production was originally planned to start in June, but the mixing of colours is taking longer than expected as Apple has very high and idealistic standards.”
However, anyone hoping that 2013 will finally see Apple introduce a phablet handset to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note range and HTC’s One should probably cool their boots.
According to Reuters’ people on the inside, although Apple is investigating expansive 4.7-inch and whopping 5.7-inch displays it is unlikely to bring them to market until next year. If at all.
"They constantly change product specifications almost to the final moment, so you're not really sure whether this is the final prototype," one of the sources said before stepping back into the shadows like something from a film noir. We imagine.
Details of Apple’s plans come amid a host of component leaks in recent weeks, including golden SIM trays that some have interpreted as the surest sign yet that colour options will figure in future iPhones.
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