
According to the folks over at AllThingsD, a production ramp up of the next-generation iPhone is set to begin around the end of this month. The news confirms a recent report from Jefferies analyst, Peter Misek who believes that Apple started a small batch of production of the iPhone 5S last month. With the company now gearing up for mass production, it appears to be making its final preparations for a launch later this year.
A report from earlier today suggested that supplies of the iPhone 5S will be constrained at launch, as is the case with many new Apple product releases. The cause was attributed to low yields on a new fingerprint sensor that is expected in the device.
For those of you who have been following rumors and speculations, you already know that several iPhone 5S prototype photos have already leaked, showcasing features such as a dual-LED flash and a slightly larger battery as well as an A7 chip. Misek for his part believes that the 5S production ramp-up is in addition to one that’s in progress for the rumored lower-cost iPhone. According to AllThingsD:
Interestingly, Misek says that iPhone production ramp up will follow one that’s already under way for Apple’s long-rumored lower-cost iPhone, a device he figures the company will price somewhere between $300 and $400 — without a subsidy. He estimates production plans at 25 million to 30 million units, split pretty much evenly across the 5s and its new lower-cost sibling. And he says the new entry probably won’t be competitive with the truly low-end handsets popular in emerging markets.
Source: AllThingsD
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