Historically, September has always been all about the iPod for Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), frequently introducing new models after running a back-to-school promotion during the summer to clear out inventory.
Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White now thinks that we might be in store for an "exciting" September, as he thinks Apple will unveil its new iPhone along with an iPad Mini. Apple switched it up on everyone last year by launching the iPhone 4S in October, a departure from the June launches it historically saw. That's mostly why consumers and investors are expecting the next iPhone again in October of this year.
His supply-chain sources say the new model will feature a unibody aluminum casing, not one made out of Liquidmetal as some have speculated. That also coincides with some leaked photos that 9to5Mac scored that might very well be the next iPhone.
Rumors of an iPad Mini simply aren't going away anytime soon, despite Steve Jobs' famed opposition to 7-inch tablet form factors. White's chiming in with his prediction of a 7.85-inch version with a 1,024 x 768 screen resolution, which is the same resolution as the first two generations of iPads. That would make it easier on app compatibility, and Apple marketing would inevitably spin the increased pixel density as a Retina Display.
Such a device would also be a clear threat to Amazon.com's (Nasdaq: AMZN) Kindle Fire, even as Amazon may be gearing up for a larger second-generation model to compete with the larger iPads. It would also be just in time to fend off advances from Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows 8 tablets that are due out by year's end. Acer has already taken the wraps off some of its upcoming Windows 8 tablet offerings at the Computex trade show in Taipei.
White is also the same analyst who seems determined to boast the highest price target on the Street, recently moving his estimate up to $1,111. That's just about double the current price of $555 if he turns out accurate. The next iPhone might be here sooner than you think.
The 2012 presidential election is just around the corner, and it could send these stocks skyrocketing depending on who wins. This report covers companies in a handful of sectors, including health care and defense, that may benefit. Grab a free copy today before it's too late.
