A new rumor claims that Apple will accelerate its launch schedule for the next-generation iPhone and debut the handset in August, while successors to the company's current tablet lineup could see a debut in April, just six months after the iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad were released.
Citing sources familiar with Apple's plans, iMore reports that the company is planning to debut its next-generation "iPhone 5S" handset in August, one month than last year's iPhone 5 unveiling . The publication, which has a fairly good track record and accurately predicted the introduction of the Lightning connector, was also told that next-generation iPads could see an "April-ish" release.
According to the source, the next-gen iPhone will benefit from iterative "S model" changes including a faster processor and improved camera optics.
As for the upcoming iPads, a redesigned 9.7-inch model boasting an iPad mini aesthetic is expected to debut after cases for the tablet were purportedly in February. iMore doesn't see the iPad mini getting much more than a spec bump, however, and noted that a Retina display version "doesn't sound imminent."
The rumors don't offer anything new in terms of hardware specs, but Apple's product timeline has been a much-debated topic as the iPad mini and Lightning-enabled fourth-generation iPad were announced . If new tablets are released in April, it would leave only six months between refreshes, a first for the iPad's usual annual cycle.
The rumors are in line with a report released earlier on Monday from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who of a summer iPhone 5S launch, with an announcement in June expected to come ahead of a July rollout.