Apple To Launch iPhone 5 AND Cut-Down iPhone 4 In September - Reuters

Reuters is reporting that Apple is planning to launch TWO new iPhones.

It quotes "people with knowledge of the matter" saying suppliers have begun manufacturing a lower-priced version of the hot-selling iPhone 4 with a smaller 8GB flash memory.

And it's also planning the next-generation iPhone 5, with a larger screen than its predecessor as well as better antenna and 8-megapixel camera - but cosmetically similar to the iPhone 4.

The sources say Cupertino wants to launch both devices by the end of September.
It's thought the cut-down iPhone 4 will be aimed at pay-as-you-go users and emerging markets like China.

The iPhone 5's two manufacturers have been told to prepare production capacity for up to 45 million units altogether, the source said. The phone will be made by Hon Hai and Pegatron, the person added.

Apple sold 20.34 million iPhones in the second quarter versus an expected 17 million to 18 million, and is increasingly looking to Asia to boost future earnings.

The company's COO Tim Cook said in July the company is particularly optimistic about GreaterChina.

"I firmly believe that we are just scratching the surface right now," Cook said about China. "I think there is an incredible opportunity for China there."

Asia-Pacific -- which accounts for about one-fifth of its total revenue -- and Greater China in particular, helped Apple's revenue surge 82 percent to $28.6 billion in April-June.

Overall, Asia-Pacific revenue more than tripled to $6.3 billion in the quarter.

The Reuters report backs widespread speculation that two new-ish iPhones are on the horizon. Apple knows it has to increase the range of smartphones it produces to combat the growing dominance of the market by the tidal wave of devices running Google's Android operating system.

But with both "new" devices looking very similar to the iPhone 4, the move is likely to disappoint die-hard Apple fans hoping for something more revolutionary.

(Source: Reuters)


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