iPhone 5 Release Date Slipped Out By Orange CEO Stéphane Richard

The lion’s share of information we’ve collated over the past few weeks has indicated an early October release of the fifth-gen iPhone. Although, there’s still no word from Cupertino to report, a fruit company of the Orange variety, or moreover its CEO, has dropped a clinger by appearing to reveal a specific release for the highly-anticipated smartphone.

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Stéphane Richard, Chief of Orange, was heard on the radio as stating, "If I believe what we heard, the iPhone will be released Oct. 15," before backtracking somewhat by adding,‘To date, no date is known for its commercial launch even though its production seems to have started in several echoes in the press."

It could just be that he’s an avid RedmondPie reader and has been keeping tabs on the extensive array of leads we’ve been tracking. Somehow though, that doesn’t seem likely. Stéphane’s more in the "know" than Joe Average, and he would have been briefed at this late stage of the release date rather than relying on Chinese Whispers. It’s just not feasible that the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company would be left in the dark of the projected release date of a product about to be added to its roster. Unless he has been personally misinformed, October 15 appears to be the date to jot down in your notebook (or reminder app – who uses pen and paper?).

With 150,000 iPhone 5 units reportedly being pumped out daily over at Foxconn, it seems only a matter of time before we get a leak of the device, which whilst isn’t as exciting as the actual release, is the next best thing.

What with the distraction of the iPad 2 and the early inquiries into the iPad 3, compounded with the development of iCloud and iOS 5, the release of the iPhone this time around is has been the most delayed yet. The Cupertino company is still basking at the top of the smartphone sales charts as well as the consumer satisfaction polls with both the iPhone 3GS, which is in it’s third year on the market, as well as the gracefully aging yet power-selling iPhone 4, so it’s no wonder there doesn’t seem to be that much urgency.

Not long left to wait now guys, hang on in there!

(via Ozap)

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