Following some rumors that suggested the larger of Apple’s two new iPhone models might be facing delays that could push its debut back to 2015, a new report claims Apple’s partners have averted a crisis and the highly anticipated 5.5-inch iPhone will launch on time this year.
Chinese-language news site Laboya reported this week that Apple’s battery manufacturers have resolved issues that had threatened to cause delays in the 5.5-inch iPhone’s launch. According to the report, Chinese manufacturer Sunwoda Electronics will now be able to build 20 million batteries for Apple’s iPhone phablet in 2014.
Apple typically uses Taiwan-based Dynapack for batteries, and the company will reportedly still supply some battieries for Apple’s 5.5-inch iPhone in 2014. The bulk of its production at Dynapack will reportedly focus on other iPhone models, however.
A number of solid reports suggest that Apple will launch two new iPhone models in 2014. The first will be a redesigned iPhone 6 with a 4.7-inch screen that launches sometime this fall. Then, Apple is expected to launch a larger 5.5-inch model to better address the phablet market.
According to plugged-in KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, both new iPhone models will feature a new Apple A8 processor and integrated NFC.
Want to know what the iPhone 6 will look like? Be sure to check out iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 5s: New leak gives us a better look at huge redesign.