iPhone 5 Release Date: Smartphone Market Could Be Tough on New iPhone 5

By Ray Downs, Christian Post Reporter Monday, October 03, 2011

With so much hype on the Internet and an ever-improving smartphone market, Apple, Inc. might have a hard time impressing customers with the release of its new fifth generation iPhone, which many speculate will be on Tuesday during the company's annual event.

The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that although Apple is working on a thinner model with an eight-megapixel camera, the smartphone competition is so stiff that people are becoming harder to please when other smartphone platforms, like Google Inc.'s Droid, are just as sophisticated as Apple's. In fact, Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc.'s Droid Bionic already has an eight-megapixel camera, as well as access to high-speed, fourth-generation wireless networks.

The WSJ also pointed out that although Apple fans tend to be highly devoted, most people are buying Androids: 43 percent of the U.S. smartphone market is using Android, while 28 percent use Apple, according to Nielsen Co.

So what can Apple do to live up to the hype? And what happens if people are disappointed by what comes out Tuesday? Whatever Apple comes out with, some reports are already telling Apple fans that they should probably not get their hopes up too high.

Mashable reported Sunday that several rumors point to the unveiling of an iPhone 4S instead of an iPhone 5. The most recent iTunes developer beta includes several references to a CDMA iPhone 4S, according to 9to5mac.com. Also, there are reportedly several references to an iPhone 4S in Apple's inventory system.

Underlining the possibility of a serious letdown, Mashable conducted a poll that found 86 percent of its readers believe that Apple will release an iPhone 5. But if Apple only releases an iPhone 4S with a slightly thinner body and improved camera, there could be a serious backlash from the Apple faithful.

However, with so much competition in not only the smartphone market but also in the tablet market with Amazon having just released the Kindle Fire, Apple might be looking to make a serious splash in time for the holiday season.