iPhone 5 with ‘partial glass design’ hits production in China

Apple’s iPhone 5 has allegedly gone into production at factories in China, according to a Japanese Apple blog.

The Macotakara blog has a reputation as a reliable source on accurate Apple launch news, previously it reported an accurate launch date for the iPhone 4S and iPad 3.

Citing ‘reliable Chinese sources’ the site reports that Apple’s factories have now started production of the much-anticipated smartphone.

Previously the turnaround between the beginning of Apple’s production cycles and a products release has been around two months, which would suggest we’ll see the iPhone 5 on store shelves by the beginning of September.

Last week we reported that a high-level industry insider told us Apple would launch the iPhone 5 on August 7 and under this latest news the date could still stand for an official announcement, followed by the handsets being shipped to retailers for a release at a later date.

Another interesting part of the report centres on the iPhone 5’s design, earlier rumours alleged the device would feature an aluminium back panel and this has remained consistent in other rumours ever since. Now it seems there’s a new twist as the report also suggests the aluminium back panel may feature a ‘partial glass design’.