Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty is adding more fuel to the rumors that Apple is launching its next generation iPhone later this year with a report that iPhone5 production is set to start in August. Ms. Huberty expects iPhone 4 sales will dip ahead of the new model release, but Apple will gain those sales back once the iPhone 5 is available, according to paidContent.
Morgan Stanley thinks iPhone 5 production starts in August
Ms. Huberty is lowering her third quarter iPhone sales by 2 million, but raising her fourth quarter sales by the same amount. She expects Apple will sell some 72 million iPhones by the end of 2011.
Apple may have some price changes in store, or at least will continue with selling the previous iPhone model at a reduced price. Ms. Hubert noted that Apple is expecting to sell substantially more iPhones in 2012 thanks to “new products and potentially lower price points.”
Deutsche Bank’s Chris Whitmore told investors on Monday that he expects Apple to release two new iPhone models this fall, one of which will be a lower priced unit that could help eat into RIM and Nokia’s smartphone marketshare even more.
Apple is currently trading at US$330.93, up 4.58 (1.40%).