Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) reportedly told its supplier Hon Hai to start shipping two new iPhone models—rumored to be the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C—next month. That’s according to a report by Lorraine Luk and Ian Sherr of The Wall Street Journal. According to their sources, both the high and low end iPhones will begin shipping from Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd (OTCMKTS:HNHPF) (TPE:2317) in September.
Apple started mass production in June
If those sources are correct, they line up with previous reports that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will unveil both new handsets on Sept. 10 and then launch them on Sept. 20.
They also told The WSJ that mass production for both the high and low end iPhone handsets ramped up in June. The two models are said to be one with a metal casing and a second one that’s made of less expensive materials. Previous reports have indicated that the low cost iPhone would have a plastic casing.
What to expect in the iPhone 5S, 5C
Over the last several days we have heard numerous reports that the iPhone 5S will come with a gold color option. These reports have been confirmed by various news sites, several of which report that the gold option will be more of a champagne gold color rather than a metallic gold. The iPhone 5S is also expected to have a fingerprint scanner.
At this point less is known about the so-called low-cost iPhone or iPhone 5C other than that it will likely have a plastic casing and come in a variety of colors. It is also expected to have fewer features than the flagship model, although analysts have been debating about this. Some have said it might not even have Siri, one of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s most popular features. However, tech blogger John Gruber believes that would be a detriment to the low cost handset.
