WSJ: Apple to start building the next iPhone in Q2; cheap iPhone may land late 2013

Apple’s next iPhone could land as soon as this summer, judging from a Wall Street Journal report today.

Sources tell the paper that Apple plans to start production of its latest iPhone during this quarter, which means it could be ready for the third quarter in the summer. Much like the iPhone 4S and 3GS, Apple will likely debut a slightly revamped “iPhone 5S” this year, which will share the same basic design of the iPhone 5.

Intriguingly, the WSJ’s report also notes that Apple is still planning to launch a cheaper iPhone later this year. It would be unusual for Apple to announce two new iPhone models in a single year, but given the increasingly strong competition from cheap Android phones and Samsung’s wide variety of handset choices, Apple certainly has to step up its game.

The WSJ’s report also corroborates iMore’s iPhone 5S prediction from a month ago, which pointed to an August launch for the new phone. That would give Apple a new device to compete with the upcoming Galaxy S IV and HTC One much sooner than the October launch dates we’ve seen over the past two years, and it also leaves room for Apple to announce a cheaper lineup before the holiday season.

As for more iPhone color options, the WSJ notes that Apple has been developing additional colors, but right now it’s unclear how it’ll release them. Previous rumors suggested that different colors could be a big selling point for Apple’s cheaper iPhone.

Photo: Devindra Hardawar/VentureBeat