Apple is believed to be breaking with its tradition of launching one smartphone a year and in 2013 it is expected to launch three new devices, according to reports from Asia, including a 4.8-inch device to compete with the rising ‘phablet’ market.
According to reports in the China Times and the Taiwan-based Commercial Times, Apple is understood to be planning a new 4-inch iPhone 5S and the 4.8-inch device.
It is also understood to be planning a mystery iPhone device with a 12-megapixel screen, according to PCmag.com.
The newspapers are citing manufacturing sources. The rumours come a week after Apple stock was rocked by rumours that it had cut part orders for its iPhone 5.
Apple’s first financial results of 2013 will be heavily scrutinised
While these rumours are coming ten-a-penny, it is clear they are having an impact on Apple stock and it must be incredibly frustrating for the California-headquartered company as the iPhone product line now accounts for 40pc of its revenues.
Apple is expected to reveal its first quarterly results for 2013 on Wednesday, which will indicate just how well the iPhone, iPad and other products did during the important holiday sales season.
It will be interesting to see how well Apple has done at a time when the overall PC industry has been reporting worse shipments than originally forecast.