It's perhaps a little early, however, news site, Device Magazine, is reporting that sources far-up in the supply chains are hinting that Foxconn has just received massive orders for the manufacture of iPhone 5 units.
To add to the speculation, the Foxconn unit in Taiyuan is said to be recruiting 20,000 new workers, specifically for the production of Apple's next smartphone, with 20 new recruitment centres to open to around the area. However, there are also ongoing strikes at the same factory and it's possible that Foxconn may be looking to ditch its striking staff - though - we'd suggest Apple may wish to avoid the hard PR that would inevitably fall on it with such a move.
It's not unreasonable to expect the iPhone 5 to be released this year, with the iPhone 4S feeling very much, like a stop gap, keeping up interest. With Samsung expected to launch the GALAXY S III in April, Apple will need to play a little catchup on the hardware side and is unlikely to allow itself to be displaced in the market for very long.
There's been a lot of speculation over the iPhone 5's design but as of yet, nothing concrete. Perhaps our readers have some thoughts as to how Apple's new iPhone may shape up?
