iPhone 5 And iPhone 4S To Be Released Concurrently In September, Analysts Claim

The days are getting hotter and hotter, and iPhone rumors are heating up too.

On Monday, the Apple rumor mill churned out more speculation about the next handset--make that the next two handsets. According to a note distributed by Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore and reported by Fortune, Apple will release a pair of iPhone models this fall.

The higher-end offering, which may be called the iPhone 5, has been rumored to feature a slight spec upgrade for faster processing and graphics rendering, as well as a design that is similar to the current iPhone 4.

The lower-end offering, according to Whitmore's note, will be a contract-free device, priced around $350. Whitmore predicts that a prepaid calling plan will be available for this device, an option that will appeal to emerging markets around the world. This unlocked unit might be branded "iPhone 4S" when it launches.

"With Nokia and RIMM struggling," Whitmore said, according to Fortune, "the time is right for Apple to aggressively penetrate the mid range smart-phone market (i.e. $300-500 category) to dramatically expand its [total addressable market] and market share."

"[T]here are large swaths of the world -- especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where iPhone penetration is low -- where customers prefer to pay the full cost of the phone upfront," writes Fortune.

When can consumers expect these two offerings?

Forbes reports that a Sunday note written by Morgan Stanley's Katy Huberty claims that "Apple's next iPhone will begin production in mid to late August and ramp aggressively into C4Q." Huberty pegs late September as the prime time for Apple to launch its next iPhone(s).

Would you be interested in a cheaper iPhone with a pre-paid calling plan? Weigh in via our QuickPoll, and let us know (in the comments) whether you think this rumor holds water.

Quick Poll

Would you purchase a mid-range iPhone with a prepaid calling plan?

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Comments

[bxbbrian]

08:59 PM on 06/29/2011

Im waiting for Windows phone 7 with mango the os looks much more mordern and elegant han either ios or android and operates like a dream from what ive seen Iphone 5 even borrowed the picture taking feature from wp7. Even i have a hard time believeing microsoft made wp7

[Phillip Singleton]

02:54 PM on 06/29/2011

I'm ready for the iPhone 5 and nothings going to stop me. #ThatIsAll

[phoenix39]

02:06 PM on 06/29/2011

I want an iPhone which I've waited to renew my contract but if I can get a prepaid without a contract I'll take it in a heartbeat. An iPhone and a prepaid with no contract obligations or extra charges on the bill because somehow the cell phone company screwed you in your charges will be a dream come true. I've been debating renewing with Verizon and their high prices and now limited data packages. I've already done the Sprint thing (won't do that again) and too many funky rumors about At&t. Having a cell phone is a luxury when I have other concerns that I need to take care of.

[AC Fraser]

06:17 PM on 06/28/2011

Can't wait!

[emulsifier]

01:23 PM on 06/28/2011

I think i'll just wait till iPhone 6 comes out to buy iPhone 4. It will be here in another year anyway, and prices will drop.

[MAJK]

12:33 PM on 06/28/2011

I prefer my phones capable of customizing and personalization--- some call it freedom.. some call it choice... everyone calls it Android.

[Steven Whitehead]

03:35 PM on 06/28/2011

some call it freedom.. some call it choice... everyone calls it iClones.

[MAJK]

04:00 PM on 06/28/2011

Last time I checked, my phone runs dual-processors, with 4G, 512MB of internal memory, super AMELOD screen, 10 hours of talk time and bluetooth 3.0

Not a SINGLE spec I listed is supported by the crappy Apple iPrison.

You got to wait until Steve Jobs decides what goes on your new phone, while I get to choose from hundreds of different devices.

[HafaAdai]

11:07 AM on 06/28/2011

Same old, same old. I guess Nokia & RIMM might just have to drop their prices to flush out Aplle a bit.

[stepintothelight]

10:15 AM on 06/28/2011

This oft accused fanboi could care less!!! Love Apple and their products, for over 20 years, but if they don't address the FCPX debacle then the Apple we all know and love has truly jumped the digital shark tank filled to the brim with "hard times loyalist"!!!

Remember the customer Apple!!!

[Tanker10a]

09:55 AM on 06/28/2011

PLease! Get a grip. They will get here when when they get here. Besides, even people who work for Apple don't know when a product is to be released.
While I worked at Apple, whenever the new products shipped to the store, they are covered up and no one was allowed to even take a peek.That was ground for dismissal if you get caught; especially with cameras surveilling the storage areas...

[mad world]

09:38 AM on 06/28/2011

I refuse to give a cent to Steve Jobs. Let his spoiled sheep fund his chemo.

[infidel-666]

10:36 AM on 06/28/2011

Nice! Can't afford an iPhone huh?

[MAJK]

12:36 PM on 06/28/2011

Why would anyone pay $600 for an Operating System that can only run on one phone? With Android, I've got hundreds of devices to choose from and Google doesn't lock my device if I try to upgrade it myself... Ahhhh.. freedom.

[wikiwiki]

11:29 AM on 06/28/2011

you're nasty. have a nice day

[infidel-666]

05:16 PM on 06/29/2011

I'm nasty? I didn't make the crack about Jobs' chemo.

[Man is God]

09:25 AM on 06/28/2011

I have been perfectly content with my 3GS for two years… I’ll wait till a new redesign!

[steele jason]

06:19 AM on 06/28/2011

See the results of our latest Habbo teen survey on mobile phones: http://t.co/k1l941c @pixel_weekly

[fco1922]

09:07 AM on 06/28/2011

Why should we care about this daft survey?

[kiddub]

09:45 AM on 06/28/2011

He makes money promoting it?

[samba2623]

04:35 AM on 06/28/2011

Isn't 350$ a little bit too much for a phone in emerging countries ?

[americawasgreatonce]

05:22 AM on 06/28/2011

Not considering the amount of per-capita aid we send to most of them. Seems cheap.

[TrueFriction]

07:56 AM on 06/28/2011

1 - Dangle half-assed "development projects" and loans to corrupt dictators
2 - When these projects fail and countries can't afford to pay the loan, offer to ease the payments if they open up their economy to foreign investment and goods, and ban subsidizing their homegrown industries and products.
3 - Flood the market with subsidized foreign goods, when their industries start to fail, buy them up and make them extensions of foreign corporations - siphon money back to host country.
4 - When accusations of neo-colonialism arrise, sprinkle a few drops of aid to make it seem like you care.
5 - Make it seem like the folks actually receiving most of this aid (living on less than a dollar a day) are the "welfare queens" of the emerging world.

. . . I mean really, Americans spend more in a year on Q-Tips than on foreign aid through their government.

[Mitchman57]

07:42 AM on 06/28/2011

Nope. Anyone considering this as a business tool will be fine. Anyone else considering this as a toy may find it a bit much, but still about the same as a video game.

Emerging countries are not stringing wires on poles, they go straight to cellular. Often, 3G is the only way to get on the web. Plug it into your old laptop and you're connected.

[BankOfHell]

04:06 AM on 06/28/2011

I'm holding off excitement until the iphone 347 is out. And maybe not then.

[Shane - Ireland]

04:59 AM on 06/28/2011

We'll probably all be iphone/human hybrids by then. Talk about market penetration!

[factsaboutchina]

03:07 AM on 06/28/2011

Ipads are made so well do to the tears of a Chinese laborer are known to be the world's most adhesive

[fco1922]

09:07 AM on 06/28/2011

Could you re-write your sentence in English?

[triunegroup]

02:53 PM on 07/03/2011

Come on guys, give the person a break. It is clear English is not his/her first language. The poster may have even written this in his/her native language and ran it through a FREE web-based translator. And, clearly, the word "adhesive" was incorrectly translated...

[abius83]

10:09 AM on 06/28/2011

The first 'do' is a 'due' - I assume. Cant figure out how 'adhesive' brings meaning to the context.... What you smoking bud?