Trial Production Of Apple iPhone 5S Already Starting And Earlier Than Expected?

iPhone5S coming in 2013

DigiTimes is reporting from a Chinese-language source Commercial Times report that Apple will begin trial production of the iPhone 5S as early as December 2012.

Perhaps in response to low production rates from Foxcon of the iPhone 5, Apple has seen the need to ramp up the certification processes for parts and components for the new iPhone 5S.

The report also claims that the iPhone 5S could enter volume production in the Q1, 2013. So, the iPhone 5S may appear mid year 2013 or around October 2013

Apple first launched the iPhone in the summer of 2007 and then stayed on an annual summer time update cycle. This schedule held until the launch of the iPhone 4S which occurred in October 2011. Apple adopted a fall-release schedule with the iPhone 5 in 2012. As a result, many have expected the iPhone 5’s successor to launch in the fall of 2013.

Apple needs to have frequent and incremental releases for the phone to fend off competition such as Samsung and Microsoft.

Expect to hear more detailed reports in the near future that can validate this early report. It seems that manufacturers are not incentivised to keep Apple’s secrets. So other component makers will continue the leaks trend.