Foxconn Admits Recent Hiring Spree For iPhone 5 Release In June
Posted by Michael Nace on Tuesday Apr 3, 2012 Under iPhone 5 News
An Asian news source is reporting that a Foxconn recruit has admitted that Apple’s top assembler is hiring thousands of new workers at its iPhone facility ”Because it seems [the iPhone 5] will go on sale in June.”
A new report has emerged today out of Asia that further supports the theory that Foxconn’s recent dash to hire thousands of new workers for its iPhone assembly plant is in response to a planned June iPhone 5 release. The news came by way of Japan-based Macotakara, who is reporting that Foxconn HR recruiters are telling prospective applicants that the reason for such a sudden push for new workers is indeed to be prepared for intense production of the iPhone 5 leading up to a June release.
CNET reports: “In a conversation recorded . . . by TV Tokyo and aired April 2, a Foxconn recruiter says the company needs to hire about 18,000 people to manufacture the iPhone 5. ‘Because it seems it will go on sale in June,’ the recruiter says in response to a question about the iPhone 5, according to a Japanese translation of the original Chinese.”
Is this yet another compelling piece of evidence that the iPhone 5 is in fact nearing full-production for a June release date?
It most certainly adds to a myriad of recent reports that point to a major increase in components production for a new iPhone, as well as preparations to assemble it. In addition, Tim Cook’s surprise visit to China, as well as Apple’s aggressive push to standardize their new nano sim design would also suggest that iPhone 5 production plans have intensified.
At the same time, Foxconn recruiters are not necessarily made privy to the release date of the next iPhone. They most likely have similar access to information as a manager at an AT&T or Verizon Wireless store would have, with directives coming down from the corporate office to begin hiring and staffing for something big, without being told explicitly what that “big” thing is.
But when it comes to Foxconn recruiters getting directives to hire thousands of workers quickly, the assumption is easily made that it relates to the iPhone 5, and this recruiter’s assumption is probably based on past experience and more actionable information than anyone in the rumor mill has access to.
For as much as this rumor may seem to speculative to corroborate, Asian-based tech media sources should be able to deduce further evidence that this hiring push is for the iPhone 5, based on how Foxconn’s facilities and workers behave over the next two months. If a troupe of new staffers make their way into the iPhone plant, live sequestered in their dorms, and are kept under strict security — hence creating a kind of “black hole” of information surrounding what they are working on — it will become even clearer that a June iPhone 5 release is imminent.
By Michael Nace
Michael Nace is the Publisher of the iPhone 5 News Blog and iPhone 6 News Blog. He has published articles about the iPhone since 2010.
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April 3rd, 2012 at 11:47 am
This is very exciting news! I originally pre ordered the iPhone 4 two years ago, and made a two year contract with AT&T, but the problem is that I just now broke my phone about a month ago, so now rather than having to wait for an upgrade, I’m waiting to be able to actually have an iPhone again!
When the new phone comes out not only will I be able to finally have an iPhone again, but it will be a badass upgrade too?! Very exciting! Im glad that the June release date is becoming more prominent.
Im currently using the android galaxy phone as a replacement for my broken iPhone 4. I believe that’s what it’s called, and man…. I’ve never realized how special the iPhone is until I used an android. iPhone users are truly blessed to use such an amazing phone. Go use an android for a month and you’ll realize it too haha
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Best news I’ve heard all week. You have to wonder what new features the iPhone 5 has that would require so many new employees. June can’t come soon enough.
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Yeah, baby. Let it be June.
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I love my IP3G, it’s curvy and feels nice.
I passed on the IP4 as it has the form factor of a can of sardines, in my opinion.
I got excited in October but all we got was the same phone.
Is this finally it? Will I be able to send my IP3G to the care home and break open that bottle of bubbly that has been in and out of the cooler waiting for something good? I think most have come to expect Apple as one of the most valuable companies in the world, leaders in innovation and cash rich to hit us with a jaw dropper this time.
It’s possibly just a little over two months away and my heart has started beating an extra few beats per minute in anticipation so come on Apple, no duds this time, let’s have all you got.
April 3rd, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@GetSwole – I owned the Samsung Galaxy S2 for serval months. Yes, it is quite a different phone to my jailbroken iP4S, but different does make one or the other better imo. The SGS2 is more of a true smart phone in that user has much control over its use and customization, such as a pc. The iphone is not a geek phone, it intended for the average joe to use. Unless, one jailbreaks an iphone as I have always done. I will say though. that Apple apps are more polished generally speaking than Android. I also enjoy the quickness of releases for Apple apps.
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@JustinQ,
I think the main feature it will have is a whole bunch of them to sell, and a bunch of people needed to build them.
But I am looking forward to the has/doesn’t have when the iPhone 5 is introduced.
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:14 pm
I hope it’s good I’m now just waiting for quad-core phones right now. Androids are buggy and die to fast according to my friends, don’t really want that.
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:47 pm
@ALL If Its called the iPhone 5. LOL. It will probably be Called “The New iPhone” LMAO! Seriously though, Stupid. They better not do that!
April 3rd, 2012 at 8:16 pm
@ALM, they may well do that. Macbooks have a long history of just being a new version without any distinguishing name. Which Macbook do I have? What was my last Macbook?
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:04 pm
I expect Apple will move to “The New iPhone” soon but I think it will be with the iPhone 6 or 5S or whatever comes after the 5. People have been waiting on the “iPhone 5″ for a long time now and there’s too much buzz even associated to the name for them to reasonably call it anything else. I would be very surprised if they passed that up.
April 4th, 2012 at 1:17 am
Apple will probalby name the next phone ‘the new iPhone’ despite customers, journalists and everyone on the planet referring to the next iteration as the ip5. They just don’t care about what others think.
My prediction based on the ip4 and ip4s debacle is that despite high hopes, all will be dashed when the new one is released, I doubt it will be quad-core, and I don’t even think they will increase screen size. Probably a better camera and slight tweaks to the design, but largely the same.
People, don’t get your hopes up too high, Apple products, despite being good quality, easy to use and fun items are not perfect and I don’t expect the new phone (ip5/new iphone) to be such a device. My ip4s is great, but still has its niggles and using iTunes is a just a right pain.
But the phone looks cool and I’ll probably still buy the latest device anyway..probably like most of us avid readers on this forum!
Like others..I’m waiting to see what the new phone brings, whether that be June or Oct…bring it on Apple!
April 4th, 2012 at 1:55 am
@Moo
I agree with our opinion regarding the next iPhone. I think it’ll be more conservative than people think. I’m not banking on a quad-core – most likely a die-shrunk A5/A6 dual-core processor at slightly faster speed. I also think the basic design will remain the same but be thinner and lighter using different materials on the back. As far as screen, I predict between 3.7″, maybe 4″ tops. LTE and slightly better camera is something we’ll also see.
April 4th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Well I think a June release makes the most sense. Verizon is pushing its 4G LTE phones the hardest. If Apple releases an LTE iPhone sooner then later they’ll have a better chance of acquiring more market share. Otherwise, the 4G Android phones will be the ones Verizon pushes the most.
April 4th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
@spasticpat.
Regardless of the carrier, they already steer people away from iPhones toward android devices. My theory is that their commission is lower on iPhones than other devices. Maybe someone on here has more first hand information on this, it is just my observation and speculation.
I’m hoping June!!