The iPhone 6--the 5.5-inch variant--will reportedly launch sooner than anticipated, according to a report on Wednesday.
Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Brian White, who has had a mixed success rate when predicting Apple products, said the iPhone 6 5.5-inch model will come out sooner.
“Our research at Computex highlights that the majority of the accessory makers we interacted with today have already begun production in support of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6,” White wrote in a not. “During our China/Taiwan Tech Tour in April, we met with a small number of accessory makers that had started initial production of accessories for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 but not the 5.5-inch version, but today’s research highlights a much broader ramp of the 4.7-inch version,” according to BGR.com.
He added: “Also at Computex, we noticed that a few vendors had already started work on accessories for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 and the pieces were available at the show. Given the lack of data points in recent months around progress with the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 and growing skepticism in the media around a 2014 launch, we view this as a positive development. Based on today’s research, we believe the timing of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 launch appears to be in sync with our expectation around the unveiling (i.e., September) of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6.”
A Chinese-language news outlet also said this week that 20 million 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models will be shipped in 2014.
Some rumors had suggested that the phone would be delayed after the 4.7-inch variant is launched.
The report, according to Investor Place, says that Apple has made a partnership with Sunwoda Electronics to produce batteries for the 5.5-inch model.
iOS 8 CHANGES TO IPHONES AND IPADS:
— Like the new Mac OS, the iOS 8 system will have a universal search tool to cover both your device and the Internet. It will also get the iCloud Drive service.
— The new software will sport interactive notifications, so you can respond to a message without having to leave another app. It will have new gestures, such as double tapping to see a list of frequent contacts.
— A QuickType keyboard promises predictive typing suggestions. For example, if you start typing, “Do you want to go to,” the phone will suggest “dinner” or “movie” as the next word. Currently, the suggestions are limited to spelling corrections.
— IOS 8 will have a built-in health-management tool to help people track their vital signs, diet and sleeping habits. Apple’s chief rival, Samsung Electronics Co., incorporated fitness-related features in its latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S5, and announced plans last week for similar management tools.
— Apple announced new technology for controlling garage doors, thermostats and other home systems, although the company didn’t say how all the pieces will be linked together through what it calls HomeKit.
— For developers, Apple announced the ability to sell app bundles at discounted prices. The fingerprint security system on the iPhone 5s also will be accessible to apps written by outside parties, not just Applefunctions such as unlocking the phone and verifying iTunes purchases.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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