According to component suppliers in Asia, Apple has yet to release a production roadmap for the iPhone 5. This happens well in advance of the release of a product, as the suppliers need time to manufacture the appropriate components. The fact that this hasn't happened yet flies in the face of rumours that the iPhone 5 would be released this summer.
In addition to a lack of this roadmap, suppliers report that orders for iPhone 4 components haven't dwindled, which would be typical if a new version of the iPhone were imminent. This suggests that the iPhone 5 will be released later in the year, or possibly some time in 2012. Why the delay? One possibility is that the next iPhone 5 will represent such a large change that Apple will need more time than usual to shore things up. Another is that component shortages are pushing Apple's timetable back. Still another is that Apple is shifting to a bi-annual release schedule. This last possibility seems unlikely, given the fierce competition Apple is facing in the smartphone market; 2 years between new models, for smartphones, is practically an eternity.
via Digitimes, Appleinsider
