Rumor: No iPhone 5 this summer, fall debut instead

The iPhone 5 might not make its debut until October or later, according to a Monday report.

Citing a translated story on Macotakara.jp, AppleInsider said today that Apple has not yet ordered components for the next-generation iPhone. As a result, the iPhone 5 might be planned for Apple's 2012 fiscal year, which begins on September 25.

The Macotakara report predicted an iPhone 5 launch in the first half of fiscal 2012, but as AppleInsider notes, Apple probably won't miss the opportunity for holiday season sales, making an October or November launch most likely.

The iPhone 4 was released at last year's Worldwide Developer Conference in June, but this year, the focus will be on software, according to Apple.

"At this year's conference we are going to unveil the future of iOS and Mac OS," Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said earlier this week. "If you are an iOS or Mac OS X software developer, this is the event that you do not want to miss."

As a result, many are skeptical that WWDC, which kicks off June 6, will include any hardware announcements. ITProPortal suggested the delay will "give Apple enough time to iron out any issues with the iOS 5, which is gradually turning out to be one of the most important iOS since its launch back in 2006." Over the weekend, we also reported that iOS 5 would be pushed to the fall.

The iPhone 5 rumors have been floating around for several months now. The most recent reports contend that the phone will have an edge-to-edge screen. Other rumors claim that the design of the back of the phone could be different, ditching glass for aluminum and moving the antenna from the external frame.

This article, written by Leslie Horn, originally appeared on PCMag.com and is republished on Gear Live with the permission of Ziff Davis, Inc.