Apple to begin iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 production

iphone

Apple is expected to begin production of a new iPhone this quarter, with either the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 set for a summer release.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a refreshed version of the iPhone, most likely the iPhone 5S, could be joined by a cheaper iPhone with a different casing.

Rumours persist of a cheaper iPhone, potentially available in an array of colours, as Apple attempts to add a less premium phone to the iPhone family.

MORE: Apple iPhone 5 review

Apple's iPhone has traditionally kept a premium position, ensuring huge profits for Apple despite an increasingly smaller market share as Android phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One pull customers away from iPhones.

However, Apple could yet attempt to broaden the market for the iPhone, as the company did with its iPod range - adding the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle below the iPod Classic.

Nobody seems to be sure whether the next iPhone will be the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6, though traditionally Apple has had added an 'S' model to its latest iPhone before jumping to the next incarnation.

An iPhone 5S this summer, followed by an iPhone 6 at the end of the year, might just be the most likely schedule.

Any new iPhone will almost certainly run iOS 7, which will be unveiled at WWDC in June, while it will also most likely have a 1080p full HD screen and 4G LTE support.

The processor and camera will most likely be updated, too, while new features on the Galaxy S4 will no doubt force Apple to innovate itself.

Rumours of an Apple streaming music service, 'iRadio', continue to swirl, so it could be that a new iPhone will launch alongside this new service.

It looks like WWDC in June could be the next date to circle for news on the new iPhone...

MORE: Apple iPad and iPhone sales up - but profits down

Written by Joe Cox

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Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff and The Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).

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