According to information purportedly from Apple suppliers, the company is preparing to launch the iPhone 5's successor and next-generation iPad during the mid stages of 2013.
"Apple is expected to introduce its next-generation iPad and iPhone series around the middle of 2013, which will boost demand for ICs in particular communications related chips during the latter half of the first quarter, according to the observers," DigiTimes said.
It also said component orders placed by Apple, which increased before the iPhone 5 launch, will see a rise again between March and April, 2013.
Chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and packager Advanced Semiconductor Engineering have both apparently entered Apple’s supply chain. "TSMC has not directly grabbed orders from Apple, but has secured contract-manufacturing orders for many ICs used in the iOS devices."
Chinese Economic News Service had previously reported that TSMC will begin producing quad-core mobile chips for Apple in 2014. Samsung, the current chip manufacturer for Apple, is reportedly increasing the prices its rival must pay for iPhone, iPad and iPod chips.
Despite the iPad 4 releasing just a few weeks ago, Apple is said to be planning an upgraded version due for an early 2013 launch. Also scheduled for a release during the same period is the rumored iPhone 5S.
