The Wall Street Journal is playing host to an intriguing new rumor this morning, namely that the iPhone 5 will feature a redesigned exterior and be thinner and lighter. They also claim that Apple will be placing an initial order for 25 million units!
This reaffirms previous rumors of a possible redesign of the iPhone 5, and builds on yesterday’s rumors of 15 million iPhone 5 units being available at launch. The report cites sources within Apple’s supply chain who claim that Apple has places components orders already for the iPhone 5 parts. Note: The image above is a mock-up.
WSJ also reaffirms the long-suspected inclusion of an 8MP camera (which would likely be able to shoot 1080p video), as well as Qualcomm mobile radios for signal. The report spits in the face of the many rumors suggesting that the iPhone 5 will retain the same form factor as the iPhone 4.
Another interesting bit in their report is that they claim that, according to their sources, the iPhone 5 will be complicated and difficult to assemble, meaning that the launch may be delayed, or initial supplies may be lower than projected.
If Apple really does come to the table with 25 million iPhone 5 units ready, they may come close to meeting demand – last quarter, Apple sold 18.65 million iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS units, and the launch of the iPhone 4 sold 1.7 million units in just 3 days. Now that demand is higher, due to the device’s increase popularity (and the addition of Verizon customers), I think we can safely expect that number to be much higher this year.
