iPhone 5 Release Date: More Evidence Points to a Q4 October Launch

Cellcom, nTelos, C Spire, GCI, Cricket Communications, and Appalachian Wireless will begin selling the device on Friday, September 28. (Photo : RCR Wireless)

Sorry folks, looks like the iPhone 5 won't be coming out as soon as it was expected to. Earlier rumors and analyst statements pointed that the phone could be out as soon as August, and possibly September. Now, it's looking like an October release date is more likely.

The latest piece of evidence for the October release date comes from Verizon CFO Fran Shammo, according to CNET. In a conference call to discuss the company's earnings and quarterly reports, Shammo hinted that there was going to be a big smartphone launch during the fourth quarter of 2012. The fourth quarter for companies begins in October.

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Another report confirming this date comes from BGR. An inside source revealed to BGR that the iPhone 5 is currently still passing engineering tests. Apple devices go through testing phases including the "engineering verification test" (EVT) and "design verification test" (DVT). Apparently, the iPhone 5 is in EVT3.

Verizon's iPhone 4 went through EVT3 in November and came out in February. If we go by the three-month timeframe from EVT3 to launch, then a July EVT3 stage for the iPhone 5 would mean an October launch.

The iPhone 5 is expected by many to be the electronic device of 2012 and the biggest makeover to the iPhone since 2010. It should support 4G LTE, feature a larger, thinner 4-inch screen, and come with a more powerful quad-core processor that could improve battery life.

Also, the iPhone 5 is rumored to come with an NFC chip for wireless data sharing and payments, and a smaller dock connector.

These are all rumors based on industry insiders, analysts, and leaked photographs. Apple has yet to even comment on the iPhone 5, although the company is expected to announce the device August 7.