China Times: Apple will launch iTV, iPhone 5S and iPhone Math Before the End of 2013

One of the big story doing the round today is rumours that Apple will be announcing two new iPhone at the end of June 2013 and the iTV by the end of 2013. The two iPhone will be called the iPhone 5S and iPhone Math, according to report from China Times via BrightWire.

According to the article, the China Times citing Taiwan-based Commercial Times is reporting that:

[quote] Apple will announce three new iPhone models in 2013, and two of them, the 4-inch iPhone 5S and 4.8-inch iPhone Math (both featuring 8-mega-pixel cameras), will hit markets before the end of June… the third model, which has not been exposed, will be launched before Christmas. The model will feature a 12-mega-pixel camera. The shipments for components, including touchscreens and cameras, will start rising significantly in March, and iPhone manufacturers will begin production in late April. Hence, Apple’s suppliers will see major growth in 2Q 2013.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. will undertake 90% of the manufacturing orders, and Largan has received orders for 8 million camera lenses. Fujikura, Flexium and Zhen Ding will share production orders for printed circuit boards. Foxconn Technology and Coxon will provide molding parts for Apple’s new models; Foxlink will continue to offer connectors; Hon Hai Precision’s Microelectronics Technology will start designing 4G network solutions for Apple.

Moreover, the report said Apple will launch iTV before the end of 2013, and the company is set to unveil seven to eight new products in the year.[/quote]

Many tech blogs in the US were quick to point out that there is something not right with this 4.8-inch ‘iPhone Math’ rumour.

“As we all know, Apple carefully selects its device screen-sizes, choosing only to move the iPhone to a taller, not wider display so it is still easily usable with one-hand. This jump from the 3.5-inch iPhone screen size to 4-inches in the iPhone 5 also required developers to tweak or redesign their App Store apps in order to provide a complete experience for users,” Mark Gurman wrote for 9to5mac. “If this “iPhone Math” is launching six months from now, that would mean Apple will ask developers to once-again tweak their iPhone apps. That is if the 4.8-inch display is of a different resolution than the 1136 x 640iPhone 5 – which it would likely have to be to remain in Apple’s definition of “Retina”-class.”

Other the other hand, this is not the first time we’ve heard of an iPhone with a 4.8-inches display. Back in December 2012, MacRumors ran a story in which Jefferies analyst Peter Misek alluded to the fact that such a prototype device has been floating around the supply chain.

With regards to the iPhone 5S Misek stated that:

[quote] Based on our checks, likely updates include a new super HD camera/screen, a better battery, and NFC. Possible updates include an IGZO screen for Retina+, 128GB storage, and coming in 6 to 8 colors.[/quote]

The really interesting part is that he went on to say that:

[quote]  Several iPhone 6 prototypes appear to be floating around. The model with a 4.8″ screen is the most interesting. It has a Retina+ IGZO screen, a new A7 quad-core processor variant, and a new form factor with no home button. Full gesture control is also possibly included.[/quote]

For a background on Peter Misek’s past predictions, read this piece by Jason Schwarz for Seeking Alpha.

According to Jason Schwarz:

[quote] ..All you need to know about Misek is that he should change his name to Mr. iPhone. This guy can be hit or miss regarding the accuracy of new product predictions like Apple TV but his iPhone forecasts are as good as any. He was the analyst responsible for alerting the street to the reality of an iPhone 4S rather than the iPhone 5, it was his December report from Asia that alerted investors to Apple’s plan of offering multi-colored iPhones in the summer of 2013, and he also was near the lowest of analyst estimates for iPhone sales last quarter when Apple missed consensus. Apple didn’t miss Misek’s number, he predicted sales of 26 million units and actual sales came in at 26.9 million. Misek is a well educated analyst who understands what it means to under-hype so that Apple can be judged fairly.[/quote]

So there you have it, but at the end of the day, no one really knows what Apple is about to unleash this year except, well, Apple.

However, I would like to quickly point out this line from the article again:

[quote] Moreover, the report said Apple will launch iTV before the end of 2013, and the company is set to unveil seven to eight new products in the year.[/quote]

I’m hoping that TheTechStorm receive due credit at the end of the year for posting our source’s prediction that Apple will be launching to iTV for Christmas 2013.