iPhone 5 Production Underway for an Expected Fall Launch

According to Japanese blog Mac Otakara, the next generation iPhone has already gone into production in China. Mac Otakara cites reliable Chinese sources for the information.

For reference, Mac Otakara also cited similar sources when they reported that the iPad 3 first went into production in January 2012. The lead time between production and launch for the iPad 3 was approximately two months with an official launch date of March 16th, 2012. That could suggest that we could see the new iPhone as early as September, though the production timelines for the iPad and iPhone may differ significantly.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal had previously reported that the iPhone 5 would begin production in June, and all signs have pointed to a September or October launch for the new iPhone.
1367258528
Leaked iPhone 5 parts have suggested Apple will be adopting a two-tone backing with a central metal panel. Mac Otakara reports that in the production models the back panel have a naked aluminum surface and a partially glass covered portion. They also note that a small hole that was seen between the lens and flash in the prototype parts is now absent.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple Just Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever After Beats

Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014. Q.ai has...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...

Top Rated Comments

whateverandever Avatar
177 months ago
Can we please stop calling it iPhone 5? It's the least sensible name possible for the 6th generation iPhone.

The New iPhone, iPhone 4G, and iPhone 6 all make more sense.
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fidget08 Avatar
177 months ago
My friend is friends with Tim. He said Tim told him it will come out this year. He's 100% right 60% of the time!
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThatsMeRight Avatar
177 months ago
Let's hope Apple calls it iPhone 7 - just to troll everyone here.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
snowcrash Avatar
177 months ago
Can we please stop calling it iPhone 5? It's the least sensible name possible for the 6th generation iPhone.

The New iPhone, iPhone 4G, and iPhone 6 all make more sense.

"Can we please stop" posting this on every thread about the iPhone. We get it. 6th Gen.

And really? "least sensible"?!?! Seriously? Do me a favor, ask any "non Apple geek" what would they name the next phone after the 3G, 3Gs, 4, 4s, and let me know how many people say "Oh well that would be the iPhone 6". Most people would say "What happened to the iPhone 5". For all we know they will call it "The New iPhone". You have no more of a chance at being right as does calling it an iPhone 5 or The New iPhone, but can we PLEASE stop posting this in EVERY thread over and over again. Everyone here knows which gen we are on. For all we know they might even throw everyone a curveball and call the damn thing the iPhone 4XL
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pittpanthersfan Avatar
177 months ago
I still need to be sold on the two-tone back, but the the black antenna on some mockups is sleek.

Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NM08SRT8 Avatar
177 months ago
If they use the design that was leaked, than they lost a customer here.

Good.

Goodbye.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)