iPhone 5 release date delay related

Apple's mythical iPhone 5 delayed? Well, Apple might not care because iPhone shipments increased last quarter.

Looks like Apple has a valid reason to delay the launch of the iPhone5, or the next generation Apple smartphone that might feature specs improvements. According to iSuppli's Q1 report, the emerging smartphone giant increased its shipments of iPhones (phones like iPhone 4) in the first quarter of 2011 by 15%.

Other phone manufacturers like Research in Motion and HTC also recorded an increase of phone shipments, while Samsung and Motorola's phone shipments suffered a decline. Phone leader Nokia is also down by 15%. Samsung, Motorola and HTC are considered as top manufacturers of Android smartphones.

Samsung's decline is only 1.6 points, while Motorola suffered a big decline with 16% less shipments compared to its last Q4 2010 performance. Samsung and Motorola are expected to release LTE smartphones this year, the Samsung Droid Charge and the Motorola Droid Bionic. Both smartphones are shipping with Android, and will use Verizon's fast 4G/LTE frequency bands.

According to rumors, Apple will delay the launch of iPhone 5g, and will unveil a new version of its iOS operating system compatible with older iPhone versions like the iPhone 3G, 3GS and iPhone 4. No words yet about the official release date of iPhone 5, but most of the rumors are claiming that the Cupertino, California-based company will launch the iPhone 5 in USA in September of this year.

Note: When it comes to operating system market share, Google's mobile operating system Android is the biggest gainer, while RIM's BlackBerry and Nokia's Symbian are struggling.