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Apple is set to begin production of its new iPhone 5S in March for an expected June or July release date, according to an influential tech analyst.
Jeffries Analyst Peter Misek, who announced the news of Apple's reduced orders for iPhone 5 component parts ahead of most, made the prediction recently in a note to investors, the Daily Mail reported.
While we always caution putting too much stock in any tech rumor, as BusinessInsider notes, when "industry insiders" predicted an iPhone 5 and missed, Misek correctly predicted the iPhone 4S.
Similar to other iPhone 5S release date rumors, Misek also believes a $200-$250 iPhone 5S is likely for the second half of 2013, backing up statements he made in December purporting the handset would see release in June 2013.
Misek also believes the iPhone 5S will come in a range of colors. A statement Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White agrees with; he announced earlier this month that the iPhone 5S might be available in multiple screen sizes, and that he thought Apple launched the 5th generation iPod Touch in various colors as a litmus test for doing the same with its next generation iPhone.
The Jeffries analyst and White also agree Apple is likely planning to release a cheaper, entry-level iPhone with the iPhone 5S. The low-cost version of the popular smartphone could be released as a device made of polycarbonate with no 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) capabilities, Misek predicts.
Apple insider site, DigiTimes, agrees with Misek. The site spoke to multiple unnamed sources within Apple's supply chain - including some who claim to have already seen a prototype of the handset - that said Apple is planning to launch a low-cost version of its hugely popular iPhone in the second half of this year.
The new low cost iPhone 5S is Apple's attempt to target China and other emerging markets, according to BGR.
According to Digitimes' report, the iPhone 5S will feature "brand new exterior design" and a larger display in response to the "prevailing trend for the adoption of 5-inch displays for high-end models." Apple is also apparently working with China Mobile to finally bring the iPhone to its network.
Apple reportedly decided to target low-end markets such as China after its iPad Mini experience robust sales in the world's most populous nation. According to Digitimes, a new manufacturing initiative by mobile chipset manufacturer Qualcomm was the catalyst for Apple's move to make the new iPhone more affordable.
Apple will also launch a "higher-end iPhone" sometime in the June quarter, Canaccord Genuity analyst T. Michael Walkley announced in a note to investors Monday.
"We believe Apple could launch a higher-end iPhone model by the June quarter versus its more typical September/October timing for a new iPhone launch," Walkley wrote. "We also believe Apple could potentially launch a lower-end iPhone focused on more price-sensitive pre-paid markets, as we believe consumers in markets such as China, Latin America and Eastern Europe would have very strong demand for a more affordably priced 3G iPhone."
Rumored specs
The latest rumors about the purported specs of the iPhone 5S will feature, among other things, 3D mapping sonar, a new "super HD" camera/screen beyond the Full HD displays in HTC Droid DNA, a Near Field Communications (NFC) chip, a better battery, a 128GB version of the device, and 8 different color options.
"According to those inside the manufacturing industry Sharp is working on making its super HD display iPhone-ready however because the technology is so advanced it's unlikely to appear on the iPhone 5S with Apple saving the bleeding-edge tech for the likes of the iPhone 6 and possibly even the iPad Mini 2."