Production on the iPhone 5 won't start until September, according to a Business Insider report.
The report cited discussions between Avian Securities and one of Apple's parts manufacturers that suggest we might not see a next generation iPhone until the end of 2011 or even early 2012.
"Conversations with yet another key component supplier indicate that production for iPhone 4 will begin in September," said a note from Avian. "This is consistent with Avian findings in the supply chain in recent months and we believe the consensus view is moving toward this scenario."
If Apple did, in fact, release the iPhone in this predicted time frame, it would be a change in tune for the company. Apple generally sticks strictly to an annual product update cycle. The iPhone 4 was released last June, so theoretically the next version of the device could be predicted to drop this summer. However, there has been a fair amount of buzz that Apple would break that habit with the iPhone 5.
Recently, a Japanese-language site, Macotakara.jp, uncovered a report that revealed Apple hasn't yet ordered components for the iPhone 5 and the next-generation device might not debut until Apple's 2012 fiscal year.
The iPhone 4 was released last year at Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference, but the company said the 2011 conference, which kicks off on June 6, will be software-focused.
It has also been rumored that Apple will unveil smaller, cheaper iPhones. Avian Securities said different sized iPhones at different price points are on the horizon.
"Our conversations also indicate the existence of a lower-spec/lower-preced iPhone in Apple's roadmap," Avian said. "However, while our contacts have seen the placeholder in the Apple roadmap, they do not yet have insight into specs of production timing."
Not surprisingly, Apple did not respond to a request for comment on the delays.