Apple Can Afford An iPhone 5 Delay Say Analysts
Posted by CharlesMoore on Friday Jun 3, 2011 Under iPhone 5 PredictionsTheStreet’s James Rogers says that while it’s now looking highly unlikely that Steve Jobs will spring any “one May thing” hardware surprises in his keynote next Monday at Apple’s Worldwide Developers’ Conference (WWDC) next week, the company still has enough market momentum going to continue putting the heat to rivals like BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) and HP.
Rogers cites Forrester Research Inc’s senior analyst Sarah Rotman Epps who told TheStreet that “Apple has been pretty clear that they are not preparing to release new hardware – it will be a software story [at WWDC]…” Ms. Rotman Epps maintains that will work out OK for Apple, noting that “The iPad 2 was an incredibly successful launch.”
He notes that RIM is dealing with a recall of some 1,000 of its new PlayBook tablet computers, and HP is facing delays getting its new TouchPad tablet quality right before launch, and reports that market analysts like Gleacher & Company’s Brian Marshall and Ticonderoga Securities’ Brian White say they’re “untroubled” by Apple’s apparent break with tradition in not launching a new iPhone at this year’s WWDC, since both iPad 2 and CDMA iPhone sales continue to climb while legacy players struggle. ROgers points out that record iPhone sales were the foundational factor underlying Apple’s buoyant second-quarter financial results with iPhone shipments having gained a massive 113% during the company’s fiscal second quarter and accounted for half of Apple’s $24.7 billion total revenue of.
Appleinsider’s Neil Hughes concurs with Rogers, observing that robust sales of the white iPhone 4 which has been “especially popular” in Asia, and is sold out in Taipei. have kept Apple on pace match the 18.65 million iPhone sales in that previous stellar quarter, logging a substantial year-over-year increase (Apple sold 8.4 million iPhones in its June 2010 quarter during which the iPhone 4 launched) even without releasing an iPhone 5, noting that Ticonderoga Securities’ White saying his sources indicate that current-quarter shipments of the iPhone 4 are now projected to hold steady, bettering the 15 percent reduction he’d anticipated, and observing that there’s been no typical long pause in demand that can usually be expected to occur preceding introduction of an iPhone model upgrade.
According to a report by BGR’s Zach Epstein, White is hearing from his sources in the far East that initial production for an iPhone refresh will be ramping up at Apple’s component suppliers in July, with volume production of an anticipated next-generation iPhone beginning in August for a September launch.
Ticonderoga is “picking up data points that suggest initial production at certain iPhone component suppliers will begin in July with volume production planned in August for the next-generation iPhone, supporting our view of a September launch.”
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June 3rd, 2011 at 10:54 am
[...] is the original post: Apple Can Afford An iPhone 5 Delay Say Analysts Filed Under iphone 4, Iphone 5 Tagged With Apple, brian-white, iphone, iPhone 5, iphone 5 [...]
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June 3rd, 2011 at 11:05 am
I just hope if it really is due to September,it’s not 4s,but new generation.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 11:06 am
The bad thing for Apple right now is that they used to always lead the phone industry and always had the most cutting-edge phone with the Iphone. Now, Apple is falling behind and in my book, just trying to keep up with the rest of the phones. Sure, Apple will always have there loyal customers that already have an Iphone, but i see them losing potential customers by not keeping up.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 11:22 am
First off, everything on this website & others (while not as good as this one) like it, are just guesses at best! if you look at history, there has been a new iPhone every year (in June or july), so why change that now?? With Apple saying it’s just software they are showing next week that completely opens the door for “1 more thing”!! And why not “1 more thing”? imagine the google hits for that!! Yes iPhone4 is successful, but iPhone5 would be even bigger!! Besides, do us “3Gers” really care about the iPhone4…as one, I think I speak for us all when I say we DO NOT!! We won’t buy an iPhone4 knowing that the iPhone5 is coming out. And will apple risk the “3Gers” to say the thunderbolt? I think not. Like is said, these sites (especially this one) are great to speculate & imagine, but that’s where it ends…right??
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June 3rd, 2011 at 11:52 am
doesn’t anybody remember all the rumors about the ipad 2 delays? then bam, apple announces ipad 2 launch ahead of schedule/right ontime. If iphone 4s is only a minor upgrade, why would they need extra time to release it in september?
I can see if it was a major design change they would need extra time, so we will see on monday.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 12:49 pm
I agreemwith both Steves, Apple is the only one who knows what Steve Jobs has up his sleeve for Monday. Apple has the following, they know what they’re doing and will not disappoint.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 1:18 pm
It’s often difficult to differentiate between the general population and active forum users. Enthusiasts or engaged users tend to have stronger and more emotional opinions on the subject at hand. As one of those people, I don’t feel like Apple can afford a significant delay, or to offer a middling upgrade (with a significant relaunch in 2012).
3Gs users are primed for a significant upgrade, 3G users moreso. The possibility of losing these core customers to alternate platforms is real, and it won’t be easy to win them back.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Steve – You made a good point there.From where I stand,4 or 4s is just not an option.Would Apple risk 3g users going android.I think not.But one thing is for sure,if it comes in September,it will be 5.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 1:24 pm
If the iPhone 5 has a new look physically and revolutionary new features Apple will get away with it as long as they don’t put it off much beyond September.
If its just an iPhone 4s with just a new camera and chip then Apple will fall way behind in the smartphone market and people will stop looking to Apple as an industry leader.
The days are over when Apple could keep releasing a few annual upgrades in terms of capabilities and keeping the same look for years and people will continue to rush out and buy the new iPhone on the date of its release.
Android is now a mature OS .. the smartphone market is no longer Apple v Blackberry, there is alot of competition out there some of them offering products that are much better than Apple is currently offering and they are doing their best to keep up with the times.
Apple needs to offer something really new every year otherwise they are going to fall behind the rest of the pack because buyers now know they want in a phone now and there is plenty of different phones on the market to choose from.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Agreed and who knows though, there could be something in iOS 5 that is going to be mind glowingly awesome and the 4s and 4 will both be extremely enhanced by the new iOS.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 2:05 pm
hey guys,interesting thing about T-mobile in Croatia.3gs is as of today off market and 4 has a price of 3gs.
could this be indicative???
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June 3rd, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Does anyone know Apple’s track record at the WWDC about answering questions about upcoming
products. If they don’t offer any info on the next iPhone will they comment on questions
about it or just ignore or shoot them down.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 3:26 pm
I have to imagine that Apple will bring forward the information on the new iPhone (or any other Apple product) on their own timeline. I doubt a Q&A would bring such details forward.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 3:34 pm
iphone vs androis is just like mac vs pc. If you read the spec sheets the phones and computers hardware is basically the same, but the user experiences are very different. Do you want a sleek stylish intigrated and userfriendly system interface (iphone, macbooks) or do you want a slow clunky oversized fragmented system interface (android, pc)?
ios5 is gonna be a game changer on its own. All apple does is innovate and people copy them. i have a hard time believing they are just hanging out at apple headquarters reacting to android. no, they are 5 steps ahead of what everyone else is thinking and doing.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 3:47 pm
kresimir, T-mobile in Croatia carries the iPhones?
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June 3rd, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Steve,yes T-mobile is a carrier.Also Dutch based VIPnet.Something strange is going on.during the day new prices for iphone4 were set and 3gs was completely out.Right now the iphone page is out with “technical difficulties” statement.Could be nothing but also could be someone will get fired
)
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June 3rd, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Wow…. The plot thickens
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June 3rd, 2011 at 6:58 pm
I am an iPhone user, with my slow, decrepit and partially broken iPhone 3G (not S). Looks like the new OS won’t be supported on the 3G anyway, I’m waiting for a 64 GB HD and in the last couple of weeks have started looking at other options. Had a great discussion about Android phones with the tech at my work today.
I love my iPhone but I’m not upgrading to something I don’t want just because these guys are still making bazillions of dollars off of the 4.
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June 3rd, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Thanks for the article, Charles.
Sure they can afford to tell investors they’re not launching a new phone this summer and remain confident that revenue and profits will not go down; the better question is, can they afford, in the long run, to lose their “cool” factor, as Michael said yesterday? Can they afford to be looked at as a brand that no longer has the most advanced phones out there? I don’t think so. A lot of us iPhone users bought our phones because we like to sport them and know that no one else has a better phone. If Apple spends an entire year not being “it,” it may or may not be hard to recover that reputation next year. I’m sure they would easily recover it, but I wouldn’t take any chances if I were Apple…
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June 3rd, 2011 at 11:00 pm
True fan of apple…some kid sold his kidney for an iPad 2: http://digitallife.today.com/_news/2011/06/02/6772047-boy-sells-kidney-for-ipad-2
Sorry I know this is off topic but I figured you all deserve some fun.
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June 4th, 2011 at 5:09 am
Similarly to Croatia, the biggest providers in Slovakia – T-Mobile and Orange – just pulled down the iPhone 3GS from their stores and e-shops. Price of iPhone 4 remains the same though. T-Mobile in Czech Republic also pulled down 3GS, but no change to iPhone 4 price. Perhaps something is indeed cooking up. Hopefully we shall see soon.
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June 4th, 2011 at 6:48 am
yes,something is definitely cooking,3gs is out! Looks like T-mobile in Europe knows something we do not.Guys I have a very strong feeling we’ll see new iphone on monday.Wonder what will Apple say if it turns out to be truth and T-mobile gave clue in advance
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June 4th, 2011 at 8:08 am
@Kresimir Why didn’t you make a printscreen? Because now everything is back.
It could be a great piece of news.
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June 4th, 2011 at 8:47 am
it would be just speculation,not really any news.if it’s true that 3gs is off market also in Slovakia and Chech Republic that’s potentially good news.It would be cool to know what’s happening in Germany.If it’s off market in Germany that would be serious piece of news.for now looks like only eastern europe is where something odd is happening.anyone here from germany???
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June 4th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Iphone 3GS is still available in Germany (where I live) apple.de and Telekom online.
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June 4th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY RELEASE OF WHITE IPHONE4 AFFECTS ANYTHING..MAYBE APPLE WILL RELEASE A PURPLE 4 AND POSTPONE THE 5 AGAIN..DOSENT MAKE SENSE.
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June 4th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Prices of iphone 4 in Pakistan have fallen 15% in the past one month. There is only factory unlocked phones available here. Bo subsidy mechanism.
But the reason being cited by retailers for falling iphone 4 prices are that the international suppliers are dumping them at lower prices probably to make space for a newer model.
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June 5th, 2011 at 1:38 am
Supposedly ATT took the iPhone 4 off their front page today, didn’t get a chance to check it out but who knows…
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June 5th, 2011 at 4:08 am
My AT&T homepage still shows the option to upgrade to iPhone4, but, in the lower left of the page. It “highlights” the Samsung Solstice next to my signin area. In my upgrade options, it still shows the White iPhone4 16GB @ $199 and 32GB @ $299.
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June 5th, 2011 at 4:13 am
However, if you go to http://www.att.com/ It has no mention of iPhone at all
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June 5th, 2011 at 6:21 am
I’ll just shoot in the dark and say Apple is going to announce the new gen iPhone (not iPhone 4s) next week. I have no basis for this, just statistically saying. Of course Apple can always break the tradition and be content with their current sales and good revenue. I’m currently using 3GS and in the market for upgrade, I think iPhone 4 isn’t a significant enough upgrade for 3GS users. If I were to upgrade I’ll need something that’s well ahead of the other phones out there.
Fingers crossed…..
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June 5th, 2011 at 11:58 am
My best gess is that it will and iPhone 4s presented for the world in tomorrows keynote.
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June 5th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
PimpYaiPhone.com
I imagine either there will be no iphone release at the WWDC which is probable because Jobs will be announcing the release of the new OS for the computers and probably iOS 5.
As far as the phone goes I doubt we will see an iPhone 4s at all for a number of reasons.
1) Apple don’t want to gain a reputation for only releasing a new phone and the next year after than is a midlife upgrade rather than a new phone in its own right.
It might have been ok as far for the 3gs as a one time gimik but Apple can’t afford to go down that route again especially with Android eating into Apple’s market share and that alot of Android phones are currently better than the iPhone 4.
So I think the idea of a 4s from a purely marketing point of view is a route Apple can’t go down again.
2) Apple have reached a deal with the European cellphone providers that future iPhones will use a new type of SIM which is even smaller than the existing iPhone 4 mini SIM.
This hints case design, if it was just an iPhone 4 shell with some new features then the SIM card would stay the same.
3) Apple have bought a load of machines for cutting glass to make a curved shape screen.
The smartphone buyer knows what they want much more now and so they will no longer accept midlife upgrades the way they did for previous generations of the iPhone and if Apple are as clued up on the buyers market which they traditionally have been then will know they need to start brining out new products every year.
I imagine the iPhone 5 will be thinner with an internal antanna, bigger screen, new chip and possibly better camera although I doubt there will be 4G because there is no infastructure in place for 4G so why go to all the trouble of ditching 3G at this stage?
So I don’t think we are going to see an iPhone 4s and whenever it comes out the iPhone 5 will be something new which will excite people again the way the 4 did.
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June 5th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
@Bret: I Agree. Exciting with the new og larger touch screen.
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June 5th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
iPhone 3GS is also listed as “Out of stock” for Three Australia now too. Last time I checked it was available (few weeks ago).
If there’s anything that’s going to keep the next iPhone being announced, it’s the success factor of the iPhone 4. If the product is still selling strong and continues to post sales records, there is no reason for Apple to put out a new product. However, I personally hope this isn’t the case as what has also been stated, it makes Apple look second-rate in the phone game by not having a top-tier phone on the market anymore. Here’s hoping the iPhone 5 (5, NOT 4s) gets announced come Monday.
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June 6th, 2011 at 1:43 am
This is one of my fave sites! So informative and fun too! Hoping for screen real estate, better battery and better camera. Plus all the smart and fab stuff you tech guys said! I also say it will be the “one more thing”. Can’t wait to hear!
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