DigiTimes: iPhone 5 & iPad 3 Likely to Ship in October

Companies in Apple’s supply chain are “preparing materials” for the production of both the iPhone 5 and the iPad 3, according to Taiwan-based newspaper DigiTimes, and both devices “are likely to make their debuts in September and to hit the market in October.”

The report lists Foxconn, Simplo Technologies, Dynapack International Technology, TPK Holding, Wintek, Catcher, and Largan Precision as companies that will benefit from orders for the devices, though none are specified as direct sources for the information.

The newspaper also said that Apple will not be releasing two different iPhone models, as some rumors have claimed in recent months, and that the iPhone 5 launch will be based around just one model.

Some reports have claimed that Apple would be releasing a smaller, cheaper iPhone to go after the prepaid market. Most recently, RBC analyst Mike Abramsky said on Wednesday that Apple would keep the iPhone 3GS on the market as a free device (with a subsidized contract) to address the entry-level smartphone market.

Back to the iPhone 5 and iPad 3, DigiTimes said that both devices would begin construction in August, with volume picking up in September and October.

Apple has long been rumored to be introducing the next iPhone in September. The DigiTimes report doesn’t contradict those earlier rumors, but an announcement in September with an October shipment for the iPhone is new.

Likewise, there have also been a few reports indicating Apple would refresh the iPad this Fall, but DigiTimes’ specificity is new.