By Prince McLean
Published: 01:00 PM EST
Quanta Computer Inc., one of Taiwan's leading mobile phone manufacturers, has acquired assembly orders from Apple Inc. for a new variant of iPhone due later this year, according to the Taiwan Economic News.
Without citing sources, the Far Eastern publication said PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturers are preparing to ship Apple component materials for a "mass production" ramp that will target availability of the new handsets
for the fourth quarter of 2007.
"There is a rumor that Quanta has obtained orders for Apple's new models of iPhone cellphones," the report explains. "But Quanta and relevant firms are keeping [a] low profile as they are restricted from releasing any information under the business privacy terms reached with Apple."
The report by the
Taiwan Economic News arrives on the heels of
similar claims made by
Commercial Times back in May. According to that report, Quanta was said to have received an initial order for five million iPhones from Apple with shipments to begin in September of this year, making it the second contract maker for the iPhone behind Foxconn.
"The iPhone produced by Foxconn is designated for the US market, and those manufactured by Quanta will be similar in function to those from Foxconn but with a different outer design to fit different markets," the report said.
Recently, reputable sources have told
AppleInsider to expect
a second iPhone model to arrive ahead of the holiday shopping season.
