Apple multi-coloured iPhone 5S and iPhone Mini in June

Apple did arguably, mess up with the launch of its iPhone 5, with problems ranging from hardware (overheating, scratches on the surface, etc.) to software (maps, unresponsive Siri, etc.) and a lot in-between. We have documented it at length here.

But Apple is nothing if not nimble – and you can be sure that it won’t sit on its mistakes for long. So, while there were plenty of reasons that we gave you to not go for the iPhone 5 just yet, the last among those reasons was that the iPhone 6 is ‘round the corner.

While it was, indeed, conjecture at that point as Apple hadn’t confirmed even the launch of the iPhone 5 when we said that, it is turning out to be exactly as forecasted, with analysts and Apple-watchers now claiming that the next generation of iPhone is definitely around the corner and will be unveiled in a few months’ time.

According to a report in TechCrunch, a second analysts has now confirmed that Apple is readying to fire its iPhone 5S salvo sometime in June or July this year, within three quarters of launching the now-infamous iPhone 5.

Apple would perhaps do good to move away from the ‘5’ series and call it the iPhone 6 because of the negativity surrounding the iPhone 5, but then, smartphone users are not known for their memory but for their love for anything that’s a quantum jump (remember iPhone 4 to iPhone 4S?).

Jeffries analyst Peter Misek has said in his latest research that Apple’s iPhone 5S is in line for a launch in June or July of this year, with production beginning to ramp up as early as March.

In addition, news of an iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 release date were also reported by BusinessInsider. “Apple is preparing a new iPhone in multiple colors and sizes, analyst Brian White at Topeka Capital reports. The next iPhone is going to come out in the May-June time frame, says White. White thinks Apple makes the next iPhone more colorful, similar to what it’s done with the iPod Touch, which available in a wide variety of colors,” the Business Insider report states.

MacRumours quotes Misek as saying: “Our checks indicate that preliminary builds for the iPhone 5S will start in March for a launch in June/July. As word of the earlier production schedule starts to spread, we believe we could see a slight slowing of demand CQ1 in anticipation of the new product launch and Apple will likely start curtailing channel inventory.”

In addition, Misek hints that there might two new iterations of the iPhone – a regular one (call it the iPhone 5S) and a no-frills one (call it the iPhone Mini). “Similar to the iPad mini, we expect a concentrated low-cost iPhone rather than a ‘cheap’ one. Likely specs: polycarbonite case with 4" non-Retina display and no LTE. We believe a new low-cost iPhone would increase Apple’s share, decrease [gross margins], but have little impact on [earnings per share],” he said.

The Wall Street Journal reported a similar story earlier this month. WSJ says that, in what will be a big shift in the tech giant’s strategy, Apple is working on an entry-level model of its popular iPhone device.

“While Apple has explored such a device for years, the plan is progressing and a less expensive version of its flagship device could launch later this year, one of the people said,” the WSJ noted.

“One possibility under consideration is lowering the cost of the device by using a different shell made of polycarbonate plastic; in contrast, the iPhone 5 currently has an aluminum housing,” the article stated.

According to Cult of Mac, the iPhone 5S will come loaded with NFC, something that Apple has so far ignored at its own peril. “Apple acquired a company called AuthenTec earlier this year, and it’s widely believed it will use its mobile security technologies to make NFC a possibility on future iOS devices,” it said.

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