Rumour: No iPhone 5 at WWDC, autumn release date likely
Apple yet to order components for new iPhone?
The rumour that Apple will release the iPhone 5 this autumn, rather than in the traditional summer window, is gathering pace.
Earlier this week, Apple revealed the dates of this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), but made no mention of any potential hardware announcements. Instead, the event is expected to focus on software, more specifically the future of the iOS and Mac OS. Some have taken this as an indication that iPhone 5 will be absent.
Adding weight to the possibility of an an autumn release is a new rumour on Japanese site Macotakara.jp suggesting that Apple has yet to order components for the iPhone 5.
Apple usually orders parts for its phone six months in advance of release, meaning that if this rumour is true the company won't be able to assemble enough handsets for a summer launch.
Apple may be waiting until the end of its fiscal year on September 24th to release the iPhone 5, AppleInsider speculates, to avoid cannibalising sales of the Verizon iPhone 4, which launched in February. iPhone 5 will still probably arrive before the end of the calendar year to capitalise on Christmas sales, goes the rumour.
