The long-awaited iPhone announcement has come and gone, and now anticipation over the next-gen model has already begun. Ridiculous? Yes. Expected? Definitely. Apple fanboys waited and waited and waited as Apple missed its regular launch schedule. And while the iPhone 4S has set records, the iPhone 5 is still at the forefront of many minds.
And one thing we feel it’s important to point out–sure, the iPhone 4S sales numbers are outstanding, but let’s not just glaze over some of the details. Three networks now carry the iPhone, not one, so besting former numbers should obviously be easier and easier. Less concretely, we think it’s safe to say that the lengthy wait also built enough anticipation to make users dissatisfied enough with their old iPhones to “need” an upgrade.
All that aside, not much has been said about the iPhone 5 since the 4S’ launch. We’re all still experiencing some iPhone hangover, but here’s an obligatory update on the state of the next-gen handset.
Why wasn’t it released now?
The rumor is that production delays stemming from last February are to blame. Foxconn tells 9to5Mac that integrating Siri into the new iOS was part of the hold up, throwing Apple’s entire schedule off. The iPhone 4S was supposed to be released at WWDC along with iOS 5, so when that got pushed back, so did the iPhone 5. That, coupled with production snags, led to the decision to release the phone later.
Was Steve Jobs involved in its production?
According to Cnet, industry analyst Ashok Kumar claims two different teams at Apple worked on the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5 separately—and the iPhone 5, not the 4S, was headed by Jobs. “[It] was the last project Steve Jobs was intimately involved with from concept to final design,” he says.
When will it be announced?
The latest is that the iPhone 5 will be available in the summer, so a spring or early summer announcement would make sense. Although Apple has no qualms about pushing these things back.
Will sales numbers falter because the 4S was just released?
If the story that Jobs headed iPhone 5 production sticks (and we’re sure it will), the device is likely to reach iconic status by the time it’s released. We’ve also heard that the iPhone 5 will sport a completely overhaul and new design, which is always a temptation even if you just scooped up the 4S. These two things, combined with the fact that an iRelease can make time stand still and usually sane people act like lunatics, the iPhone 5 should fare just fine.
This summer? Further evidence that we are in a time paradox. This has been reported to Fringe Division.
I’d be surprised if they released one that soon. It seems like they want to milk this design for all it’s worth before totally revamping. Would not surprise me if Jobs had been heavily involved though.
get it Rhys, get it. I agree with you 100%.
@Aimee: No, I’m not surprised; I’ve been saying this for years (about the time the original iPod came out).
I’m not dissatisfied in the slightest, I’ve never bought, nor will ever buy any Apple product. I was given an iPod as a gift which I gave away, the same with an iTouch. My point is that MILLIONS of people continue to do this and quite frankly, I have no idea why.
Wow. So much vitriol spewed on a rumor. From an analyst? Really? It takes a special kind of fool to believe an analyst..
Apple will force the carriers to offer the upgrade without penalty, just like the 3GS to the 4. If you buy the 5 @ the $199, you’ll be able to sell your 4s, unlocked, at probably the same price.
Some of us just want THE BEST… Others just have no idea
oh hell no!! it better not or I will be pissed!!
Time paradox? Uh huh sure………….
Of course the iPhone 5 is going to be released next year. It was always going to be released next year. Will I buy it? No. I have my 4S which is awesome. I’ll get the 5S in two years when my contract is up.
@Tim Henderson I’m a computer programmer, have used both Android and iOS devices, and still stick with iOS and the iPhone. I know how to use a smartphone. Why do I stick with the iPhone.
Firstly, I prefer it. Not because it’s “cool”. I actually just like the product.
Secondly, everything is iPod/iPhone compatible these days. I go to a friends house, they’re like to have more than one charger, and an audio system with an iPod input (as in the dock input, not just a 3.5 mm jack).
Thirdly, it’s just *easier*. I have my iPhone connected up to my home theatre, either playing music from my iTunes on my iMac, or friends can play music from their iPod via AirPlay. On top of that I can control my Blu-ray player and my receiver via my iPhone. Yes, I have remote controls to do that, but it’s nice to be able to adjust the volume when I’m entertaining in the backyard without line-of-sight.
Do you honestly believe that Samsung/HTC/other Android/Windows phones will sit on their current models for longer than a year? Not a chance. At least every 12 months a new model will be released. That’s technology. It has been this way for years, and will only get faster in years to come. Get used to it.
1.) Steve Jobs R.I.P. 2.) only people who dont know how to use smartphones get iPhones 3.) are you guys really that surprised that they released those 2 phones so close together… its called business. you spent the $200 to get your 4Gs and now you’re gonna spend $400 to get the 5, stop bitching, you know you are all going to get it. because if you were all really so pissed about it you’d say “Apple… im done”
@ Chris Johnson that is their current business model, and you are surprised? Apple reaching for the bar again instead of blowing us away with some new tech that makes others chase them…If you are dissatisfied, stop buying their equipment.
Proving once again that Apple is a cult. There isn’t a single (sane) person who knew that the iPhone 5 wouldn’t be out in six to eight months (and my guess is that when it DOES come out, it will be the iPhone 4gs). Of course, once people have bought the 4gs, it will be announced that the iPhone 5 will FINALLY be released, after Apple has sold fifteen million units of what is more or less the same phone.
Interesting. Though i doubt sales for the iPhone 5 will go down in any manner. I recall how many put off the iPhone 4S sales and it has set new records. I am sure the iPhone 5 will be a massive hit and a great device.
yeah, and I still don’t want it.