Pegatron Reported To Be Producing iPhone 5 Units; New Dock Connector Rumor Goes Mainstream
Posted by Michael Nace on Monday Jul 23, 2012 Under Apple Rumors, iPhone 5 RumorMore and more iPhone 5 production rumors abound, putting the new iPhone in line for an announcement and release similar to that of the iPhone 4S in 2011. Meanwhile, those persistent rumors of the smaller dock connector have seeped into the mainstream media.
It was just about this time last year that we started to hear about the likes of Foxconn and Pegatron getting busy with iPhone 5 production rumors. Little did we know at the time that we’d end up with the pedestrian iPhone 4S. But if the abortive 2011 iPhone 5 speculation has a silver lining, it’s that it gave us a timeline to compare all of this year’s rumors against.
And true to form, we’re beginning to hear whisperings that the iPhone 5 is actually — finally — in production.
The news today comes by way of a DigiTimes source, which claims that the iPhone 5 assembly is underway in Shanghai, with backup assembler Pegatron getting to work on pumping out new iPhone units. According to CNET:
“iPhone 5 production reports are rolling in from Asia with more frequency. This time, a Taipei-based report claims that Pegatron has started making the next iPhone. The Taiwan-based manufacturer has begun production of a new version of the iPhone at its factory in Shanghai, according to Digitimes, citing “industry sources in Taiwan.” This follows a week-earlier report claiming basically the same thing — though that report did not specify the manufacturer.”
The “week-earlier” report that CNET is referring to is one that came from Japanese rumor blog Macotakara. However, CNET dilutes this new DigiTimes production rumor by linking it to the Macotakara rumor, since “. . .the Macotakara blog cites listings for iPhone 5 cases on China’s Alibaba.com.”
Not the most rock-solid proof of iPhone 5 production, to be sure.
However, the arc of these iPhone 5 production rumors are somewhat similar to what we heard last year, with Pegatron leading the way in getting started on serious production. Considering that Foxconn ends up taking on the bulk of the production workload, it remains to be seen why Pegatron is often first out of the gate in terms of production. However, that seems to be the case once again.
Last year, Charles Moore reported on September 8th, 2011 about a widespread production ramp-up for the iPhone 5, with Foxconn producing some 150,000 units a day. But that was in September — we’re not even into August yet. It may be that we are seeing Apple get an early start on iPhone 5 production in 2012, since the new iPhone will ostensibly be an overhaul from the iPhone 4 design that has persisted since 2010. However, in spite of these early production rumors, I still do not anticipate an announcement before September, and even a September announcement would be a bit of a shock. Given the fact that Apple passed on the WWDC for an iPhone 5 announcement, the smart money would have to be on another October announcement.
Dock Connector Rumor For iPhone 5 Goes Mainstream
I had promised not to over-report on the dock connector rumor for the iPhone 5, since it is one of the more mundane rumored changes for the next iPhone, and one that carries with it little upside for the end user. However, the dock connector rumors don’t seem to be going away.
Now, Reuters is even making it a story:
“The iPhone 5, Apple’s next generation iPhone expected to go on sale around October, will come with a 19-pin connector port at the bottom instead of the proprietary 30-pin port “to make room for the earphone moving to the bottom”, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.”
The Reuters source makes the reason for the 19-pin dock connector even more boring — at least in the past we had been told that it was part of Apple’s initiative to make the iPhone 5 much thinner. Now, it appears that the redesign — which will send users and the entire consumer electronics accessories sector into a tailspin — is so that Apple can move the headphone jack to the bottom of the device. Considering how un-ergonomic that move is, we can only hope that this is a chain-reaction move, and that the headphone jack is moving down because something really cool (like an NFC-related antenna) will be inserted near the top of the new iPhone.
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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July 23rd, 2012 at 11:41 am
I suppose the move has more to do with the NFC feature more than anything else. I remember seeing a blueprint or something that shows the nfc chip(or whatever the proper term for it is)in precisely the same spot as the headphone jack is in now on current models of the iPhone. if that turns out to be true we may have a smoking gun as it pertains to the rumors of NFC. i would have hoped apple would have went with a more mainstream connector though or at least provide a 19-pin to 30-pin adapter with the phone until 3rd party accersory manufacturers are able to overhaul their products to conform to the new apple standard.
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July 23rd, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Thanks for the continued rumor reporting I know it must get mundane hearing the same stuff over and over again but I really appreciate your fair balanced approach to letting us know about the different rumors – I wonder if they are starting production now so they will have a massive stockpile so they won’t run out after the first day like it has been with so many other releases just a thought I do still think we are in for maybe a mid to late September announcement
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July 23rd, 2012 at 1:44 pm
This may be a reason for the huge stockpiling:
http://www.cultofmac.com/180213/iphone-5-demand-easily-dwarfs-that-of-any-previous-iphone-report/
And I agree with you, Michael… having the headset connect at the bottom will make me carry the phone upside-down in my shirt pocket. Just out of curiosity, why can’t NFC be at the bottom, or be attached to the headset circuit board?
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July 23rd, 2012 at 4:22 pm
http://www.technobuffalo.com/companies/apple/iphone/apple-preparing-iphone-5-for-september-21-release-report-says/#
New rumor has surface! I know AGAIN! This is a bit fishy..hmmm anyone agree with this new rumor? I dont! Unless apple confirm it.
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July 23rd, 2012 at 7:01 pm
My iPod touch already have the minijack at the bottom next to the dock connector. So there’s at least room for it without changing the dock connector.
Anyway, I’d like the next iPhone to be similar to the design of the iPod. But with that said a metal back won’t work well with the antenna needed for a phone. Unless they stick to the iPhone 4 design…. Or we will have that boring black plastic piece that can be seen on the back of 3/4G’s version of the iPad.
A little off topic here, but the rumours of a new 16:9 screen format. Would apple incorporate a new “taskbar” that would always be visible when running normal apps? Hence the 16:9 format only usable when ie. watching movies? If not, a new aspect ratio would probably fragment app developing way beyond Apple policies? I really hope so, I really dont want to implement a new aspect ratio to my apps…..
BTW. Maybe I’m wrong, but haven’t found anything in iOS6 (now beta 3) SDK that suggest a new aspect ratio…
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July 23rd, 2012 at 8:46 pm
I just read another “rumor” that said Apple will include a adapter with the new iPhone.
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July 23rd, 2012 at 8:48 pm
@bisayan – I’m not going along with that speculation BUT, the first day of fall is technically September 22nd, so the 21st could pose as the Keynote date for the iPhone 5 and then the release of the iPhone 5 (along with iOS 6) could end up being a week or two after that … it makes some type of sense at least. But, eh, don’t bet all your money on that day.
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July 24th, 2012 at 12:27 am
I’m really up for the iPhone to go 16:9 but if it stays 3:2 I don’t mind. But if it does stay 3:2 I hope they make the screen significantly bigger (about 4.3 inches diagonally) so there is more viewing space.
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July 24th, 2012 at 4:08 am
Hi all, First time posting on here but been following this site for a while and I’ve got the say the balance in the stories are brilliant, not to bias but still delivers for a very informative read, brilliant blogging Mike and Charles
My contribution….
When reading all the rumours from here and other sites, just a thought, putting the headphone jack at the bottom of the phone is a good design move because if you think about it when you have the headphone in, the wire always dangles over the screen so you always hold it behind the phone and I know some people are going to say that means my iphone will be in my pocket upside down, but really placing the phone in your pocking with the headphone jack at the bottom of the phone fair enough its upside down but your still going to be lifting it out your pocket the correct way.
Along with this if previous rumours where true once again along with pictures, if you look at some, the facetime camera has been moved to the middle, taking this into consideration along with the relocation of the headphone jack this surely leaves more than enough room for a NFC chip.
All this just a thought what you think?
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July 24th, 2012 at 4:25 am
Apple are going to hype this phone so hard when it’s announced as they will try to generate fisrt day/first month sales figures that dwarf the Samsung Galaxy S3 so they can use them as “proof” the iPhone is better.
In order to generate the sort of sales figures they need there will have to be huge stockpiles of available phones across the world in all the available outlets so production starting early would (IMHO) make perfectly good sense. You need to have the stock on the shelf in order to sell it (apart from pre-orders I suppose).
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July 24th, 2012 at 4:33 am
I wonder if Apple is finally producing early so they don’t run out of iPhones again.
That’s happened quite a few times with multiple products over the years…
And with how big the promo of the 5 will be… it’d be really easy to sell out pretty fast.
Early production seems like a pretty good probability to me… whether its now or in a few weeks..whenever it is, I’m sure Apple knows they need to have a s*** load in stock
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July 24th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Just curious about who uses wireless headphones? I’ve been using them to run with for a long time. They sync automatically, and the sound quality is pretty good. I use them around the house when i’m watching movies, youtube, studying, ect on the ipad. Can’t imagine going back to a wired version, so the location of the headphone jack is a non issue with me.
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July 24th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@ Eric
Very good point. I never use headphones at all with my phone, when I am in the car I connect through Bluetooth so why would we need wired headphones at all?
Apple take note – There is a market for wireless headphones for every iPhone, iPod and iPad user and you could make extra revenue with these peripherals AND create more room for batteries inside your devices!
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July 24th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@Eric i have wireless bluetooth headphones as well they work great. I also use wired headphones and i never have a problem with cord management or even wearing out the headphone plug or anything so the location of the headphone jack is a nonfactor for me. the wireless headphones issue also points back to a point i made a while back about the new mini iPad, they can add a phone option to the mini iPad and offer the headphones with it.
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July 24th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
I had forgotten about my car. It sync’s automatically, so I don’t even touch my phone except on the rare exception when I need to dial someone’s office extension.
@vondre, don’t see Apple going that route. If the ipad mini is ever released, it will likely be in the sub $200 price range to compete with the Nexus 7 and other android mini’s. If it had a baseband, there were be a small portion of iphone sales that would be lost. Apple seems to very much want to keep the products distinct in their own class.
Wouldn’t be an option for me – it wouldn’t fit in my pocket or on my belt, so I would still need my phone.
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