A new report is suggesting that Apple will be discontinuing production of the iPhone 5 once the iPhone 5S has launched later this year. According to Korean news site, ETNews, Apple will focus all production elements on producing components and assembling the iPhone 5S. The new and long-rumored plastic iPhone is also thought to be launching in the same time period and is also expected to take the place of the iPhone 5.
There is no word on the sources of the information regarding this report, and it would not be unusual to doubt the authenticity. Apple has traditionally had at least three models of the iPhone on sale at any one time. In the case of the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 have remained on sale at varying price points to cover all markets. However, with the launch of a plastic iPhone, ETNews is suggesting that there would be no need for the iPhone 5.
It is perhaps more likely that the plastic iPhone will be priced nearer to the third tier model, i.e. in this case the iPhone 4. When the iPhone 5S launches, the iPhone line up would then comprise of the 5S, the iPhone 5 and the plastic iPhone. With all devices sporting a 4 inch screen, Apple may then begin the process of fully phasing out the 3.5 inch screens of the iPhone 4 and 4S to reduce fragmentation for future apps.
Phased In…