“While there is still no official words on just when Apple will release the iPhone 5, one tech blog is now predicting an early October release date — and the device could come as a ‘world phone,'” IB Times reports.
“Apple’s next-generation iPhone — whether it is an iterative of the ‘iPhone 4S’ or a completely revamped ‘iPhone 5’ — could go on sale Oct. 7 in the U.S., according to TiPb blog,” IB Times reports. “Amid rampant speculation in the blogosphere, it is anticipated that the next iPhone could come as a ‘world phone,’ compatible with both GSM and CDMA. It is also believed that the phone will feature a SIM-less design, including up to three to four internal antennas.”
IB Times reports, “Still, it is also suggested that the iPhone 5 will feature a SIM card slot for other countries except the U.S. This will allow users to insert any SIM card in the iPhone when traveling abroad… In addition, a DigiTimes report citing an unnamed Taiwan-based supply chain maker said that Apple is boosting its total order volume for the iPhones by 12 to 13 percent in the second half of 2011, and it is expecting to make more than 56 million handsets.”
“The increase in estimates is expected to take place in the fourth quarter — likely due to the launch of the iPhone 5 — with production of the device expected to hit 25.5 million to 26 million units,” IB Times reports. “The sources believe that total shipments will reach 95 million units in 2011, the report said.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Carl H.” for the heads up.]
Cool
Ibtimes is a joke. They don’t even link to their source.
GSM + CDMA with micro SIM slot would be huge in truly opening the iPhone market. Hope it happens.
When Apple suggested the SIM-less design some months back, didn’t all the carriers throw a fix and Apple said they would not do that? Of course that never stopped Apple before. There was a patent, etc.
fit not fix. Maybe the t fell over…
I think the “fits” were mostly bloggers trying to create drama. Some carriers who’d never heard of the idea had comments from people who seemed confused or opposed to it.
At the end of the day it eliminates the logistical hassles for the carriers of supplying and accounting for all those sim cards. So, it is a benefit for them.
Please make it so.
The 32GB white iPhone 4 is no longer available in the UK (on the official Apple Store for the UK, it’s no longer available), so this is clear proof that the iPhone 5 is coming out very soon, and that they have stopped production of the iPhone 4.
Great. All I know is the screen better be at least 4 inches.
DREAM ON.
Oct 7 is my birthday, YAY!
The existing iPhone 4 (the GSM version) is already a ‘world phone’, in that it works in over 190 countries around the world, as long as it is unlocked. Obviously, when carrier sells you a locked phone, it no longer is a ‘world phone’, regardless of how many frequencies it works on, or whether it has GSM and CDMA chips built-in.
You have always been able to roam freely with your locked GSM iPhone (from the original first version, up to iPhone 4). But only very few markets were selling unlocked ones. Until only recently, you couldn’t get an unlocked one in the US.
So, ‘world phone’ is already out there. It costs $650 in America, and can be bought today.
Thou hath spaketh the truth. Amen.
Agreed it’s pretty much only the USA who have decided to go down the path of incompatible networks across multiple technologies.
We’ll just continue to enjoy our $40-$50 unlimited call and text plans with multiple GBs of included data and free tethering down here in Oz across 3 different and profitable national carriers while you guys debate whether or not mandating a single compatible technology is “socialist” or not…
That’s hilariously true. DON’T SAY the S-WORD… they might realize they’ve been socialist since the 50s.
Sprint, please. Verizon’s customer service is non-existent, and they send rude teenage boys out to pound on your door and not take “no” for an answer. They ridicule as you politely decline, and you slam the door in their faces wondering if a horse’s head or a dozen raw eggs will soon be splattered all over your lawn. F-U- Verizon. And you know why- have you read the e-mails? Can you?…