Consumers anxious to get their hands on the next-generation iPhone may have to wait until September, according to a report published today by Reuters. The past two iPhones, the 3GS and iPhone 4, have been unveiled at Apple’s iOS event in June and launched just weeks later.
Apple was unavailable before press time for comment on the matter.
Citing “three people with direct knowledge of [Apple’s] supply chain,” Reuters reports that production of the new iPhone, which will look much like the iPhone 4 but will have a faster processor, will start in the July/August timeframe.
Apple shares were up over 2 percent to $344 in early morning trading today, largely on AT&T’s first-quarter earnings. AT&T said that 60 percent of new smartphone activations in the first quarter were iPhones.
The carrier activated 3.6 million iPhones in the quarter, up a million from the same quarter a year ago.
Apple stock had dipped considerably in recent weeks over fears the company’s business would take a hit on component shortages due to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Steve Jobs’ health and medical leave also have been of concern for investors.