WSJ: Foxconn gearing up for iPhone launch next month
Apple's given Hon Hai Precision Industry the green light to begin mass producing both high- and low-end iPhone models, according to a new report.Citing sources, The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) says Apple's gearing up for an early September launch of those devices, and has put in the orders with its usual assembler, Hon Hai, which goes by Foxconn. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the report.The news comes amid numerous leaks of purported parts for both high-end and lower-end iPhone models, expected to be unveiled at an event in early September. Most recently that's taken the form of a gold-colored iPhone, which several reports have since claimed will be the real deal in this next set of updates. Related storiesiPhone 5C aims to replace iPhone 5, not iPhone 4S -- analystWhy a gold iPhone makes senseNew, high-quality shots of 'iPhone 5C' casing appearThe Journal's report is the latest in a series to suggest that work has already begun to produce Apple's next iPhones. Japanese Apple blog Macotakara suggested Apple was building an "S" model of the iPhone back in March. More recently, China Business News last month suggested that Foxconn was in the throes of large-scale recruiting for workers to build the device. Apple is expected to unveil two new iPhones next month: a high-end 5S model that will add new hardware features to last year's iPhone 5, as well as an iPhone 5C that will feature plastic components to cut down on costs. Myriad components for both devices, including rear casings, have cropped up online over the past few weeks, suggesting Apple is on the brink of preparing the gadgets for consumers.
