Apple Set To Tweak The Entire Line Of iOS Devices, Plus Add iPad mini

Rumors continue to swirl as Apple gets closer to launching the next generation iPhone, and perhaps, other goodies as well. The latest rumor, which comes courtesy of KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, actually has to do with Cupertino’s entire line of iOS devices, in news first reported by MacRumors. According to Kuo, the sixth-generation iPhone remains on track to debut later this year, most likely in September or October. In his opinion, Apple will probably announce the next handset at the beginning of September. However, component shortages could plague the iPhone’s initial launch. Kuo states:

(The) iPhone 5 to debut in September. But due to in-cell touch panel and casing yield rate limits, ability to offset older models' shipments decrease will be moderate.

Meanwhile, Kuo expects to see an iPad mini debut at the same time as the next iPhone with sales approaching 1.8 million units in its abbreviated first quarter. Finally, Kuo claims Apple will release a new version of the iPad in September. This version, which we discussed earlier this month, will include a number of internal changes. However, none of these will be noticeable to customers, at least from the outside. He states:

Though shipments of iPad mini’s components will start in August, the new iPad line will end production, ready for transition to a modified New iPad line. As such, component shipments will drop in August as iPad mini’s components shipments growth will be offset. On a side note, the modified New iPad shares the same exterior as the original model, but contains modifications to correct its thermal dissipation problem and lower-cost components.

In total, Kuo expects iPhone sales to total 55 million during the fourth quarter of the year, with 24 million iPad units sold during the same time frame. Apple announces their third quarter sales numbers later today. For reasons an iPad mini makes sense, please check out our earlier report. In addition, be sure to look at, "Apple Has 163 Reasons To Release Fabled iPad mini." Source: MacRumors

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