Apple's next big thing could be here as soon as next month, with price drops for existing phones
The iPhone 4S is an undeniably great mobile phone, and anyone looking to upgrade from an old handset has probably given thought to picking up one of Apple's shiny devices. We're telling you to wait. As tempting as it might be to buy one of the Siri-equipped now — especially if you're coming to the end of your current carrier contract and can upgrade at a discount — the next iPhone is right around the corner. Rumor has it that Apple will formally announce the iPhone 5 at an event on September 12, followed by the release of the device on September 21. Even if these dates don't hold up, there's no denying that the next iPhone is expected quite soon — Apple will be launching iOS 6, which will likely come pre-loaded on the device, this fall.
Reports suggest that production of the iPhone 5 began in June. The new device has also supposedly been photographed already, showing off its new larger screen and smaller dock connector. Its bigger footprint means that any cases you might be eyeing for your potential iPhone 4 or 4S purchase won't work with the iPhone 5, nor will other accessories such as screen protectors that require a custom fit. The new dock connector will likely make the iPhone 5 incompatible with currently available speaker docks, although there are rumors that Apple might release an adaptor that will at least let you use it with current 30-pin cables.
If history repeats itself, the smallest-capacity iPhone 5 will sell for $199 on a contract, the same as the current 16GB iPhone 4S. When the 4S was introduced on October 4 of last year, Apple dropped the price of the original iPhone 4 to $99 on contract, making the 8GB device a budget option. It's entirely likely that a similar price drop will take affect for the iPhone 4 once the iPhone 5 is announced, so even if you've been eyeing an iPhone 4 as a low-cost option, your best bet is still to wait.
This article was written by Randy Nelson and originally appeared on Tecca
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