Ever since Apple moved the iPhone from a summer launch schedule to a fall launch schedule, rumors have popped up each year suggesting that the company will shift things back to the summer. It happened with the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 5s, and now it’s happening again with the highly anticipated iPhone 6. While recent rumors and ongoing chatter point to a September release for the iPhone 6 and its larger phablet counterpart, a new report claims that the next-generation iPhone will likely launch much sooner than expected.
According to research delivered to clients on Wednesday by Mizuho Securities analyst Abhey Lamba, the iPhone 6 and Apple’s new phablet will probably launch this coming July rather than in September or October, as most are expecting.
Lamba says his checks with Apple’s suppliers in Japan and across Asia suggest that things are ramping up much earlier than expected, which could point to a summer launch. He also noted that supply chain companies could simply be gearing up to start building the new iPhones earlier than they have in recent years, however, in order to help ensure sufficient supply when the devices launch closer to fall.
“Recently, the company has been introducing new lineup in September time frame whereas the next generation phones could come out in July this year,” Lamba said in his note, which was picked up by StreetInsider.com. “The earlier launch will be helpful for Apple as it will ensure significant availability and distribution of the new device during the holiday season.”
The second explanation — an earlier ramp-up for a fall launch — could be the more likely of the two. Apple is expected to debut two completely redesigned iPhones in 2014 and if that is in fact the case, record sales seem inevitable.
As far as specs go, Lamba’s notes on the iPhone 6 and larger iPhone align exactly with earlier claims, pointing to a flagship device with a 4.7-inch display and a phablet with a 5.5-inch screen. The analyst also believes that iOS 8 will include enhancements that open up the iPhone’s Touch ID fingerprint scanner to developers.
A summer launch for the iPhone 6 and “iPhablet” still seem unlikely — but if the new devices do launch in July, at least Yoppy will get to go home early.
