As the iPhone 5S release date closes in, a new report suggests that Apple may discontinue the current iPhone 5 in favor of the iPhone 5S and low-cost iPhone. The rumor comes just a week after multiple accounts noted that Apple could be shipping the iPhone 5S in late September with constrained shipments due to possible tech-related issues.
According to Mac Rumors, who received their information courtesy of foreign tech blog ETNews, the ‘report claims that the in-cell technology used on the iPhone 5’s touchscreen is “not suitable for low-volume production,’ contributing to Apple’s decision to stop production on the phone and focus all of its efforts toward producing parts for newer products.”
A move like this makes sense for those over in Cupertino and is not particularly uncharacteristic of Apple. The iPhone 5 seems to fall somewhere in between the iPhone 5S and supposed low-cost iPhone, rendering it obsolete. The Apple faithful will remember last year when the electronics giant made a similar move in discontinuing its third-generation iPad in favor of the fourth-generation after only 221 days on the retail shelves.
There’s been plenty of rumored specs and price points running rampant throughout the internet as conflicting reports peg the upcoming iPhone 5S with a display anywhere from the standard 4-inches to 4.5-inches to even 5-inches. The common consensus, though, is that it will be equipped with include a 4-inch IGZO display with resolution of 1136 x 640 and 326 ppi, 2GB of RAM, and a 12-megapixel rear camera. The A6 CPU chip could be the same as the one used on the current iPhone, although graphics could be upgraded.
One rumor seems constant, though, and that aspect could be held responsible for what’s causing the poor yields and constrained shipments. Apple is allegedly making an attempt to include a fingerprint sensor in the display, likely for security and authentication purposes, but seems to have his some kind of undisclosed snag in the process.
As for the low-cost iPhone, just as little is known except for the array of colorful plastic shells and reputed $349 price tag worth 16GB of internal storage, $449 for 32GB of storage, and $559 for 64GB.
