Further Indication iPhone 5 Release will be Q4 2011

It's a rumor which has been around since Apple officially announced the date for WWDC 2011, and now Reuters have added further fuel to the fire.  We're talking about the next generation of iPhone not being released soon after the conference as has been the tradition, but in September instead.

Quoting a trio of individuals with 'direct knowledge of the company's supply chain', the report says production of the iPhone5 won't begin until July or August, leading to a September shipping date.This ties in with the previous rumors suggesting a Q4 release for the phone, which given Apple's preference for short lead times indicated a late Q3/early Q4 announcement.  Why they've decided to extend the life of the iPhone 4 this time isn't known, but it could be down to many things:

1. The White iPhone 4.  It's still supposed to be on its way, don't forget!
2. iOS 5.  Perhaps the new software isn't quite ready?
3. Supply Problems.  Touchscreens, new camera lenses etc.
4. A change in Apple's release structure across the board.

A September onwards release date should please a few people though, as anyone with an 18-month iPhone 4 contract will be a few steps closer to upgrading to the fifth model than expected!

Reuter's sources also say the iPhone 5 won't look all that different to the iPhone 4, something many have also suspected.  If the design doesn't change, the good news is all those iPhone 4 cases won't be useless; unlike any iPad 1 cases you may have…

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference will take place between the 6th and 10th June 2011.