Fans of Apple’s iPhone and iPad could expect the new generation of these popular iOS devices to be released in the market within the year. According reports, a number of companies in Taiwan have started developing the materials for iPhone 5 and iPad 3, which are said to make their debuts sometime in September and will be available to consumers in October.
Details are not yet clear, however, about the upcoming iPad 3 other than Apple is pushing for thinner and lighter version and has an impressive 250 pixels-per-inch (ppi) display. Its resolution is still lower than iPhone 4’s 326 ppi but is 5 to 6 times higher than that of the iPad 2’s.
IT news publication DigiTimes has named several Taiwan-based component suppliers involved in the production such as Foxconn, Simplo Technologies, TPK Holding, and Largan Precision – companies that form part of the chain including assembly, manufacturing of batteries, touchscreen panels, and cameras.
DigiTimes has also said that the production of iPhone 5 and iPad 3 will start in small volumes starting in August and will ramp up beginning in September and October. Supply volume for the iPhone 5 is estimated to reach 6 million to 7 million units in the third quarter. The public will have its first glimpse of the two Apple products in September, and the company will start shipping the units to stores in October.
Industry observers have found the news a bit surprising since it meant Apple will debut another iPad when it just released its second version in March this year. It appears like a diversion from the company’s typical production cycle but the more intriguing aspect about the plan is the release of both iPhone and iPad all at the same time.
There were earlier reports that Apple was going to release two new iPhones this fall, consisting of a lower-end smartphone that has a cheaper price tag and another one that is said to be the successor to the iPhone 4. The DigiTimes report stated that Apple will be launching just one model for the new iPhone.
