Apple delays white iPhone until next spring

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The Apple logo shines inside of an Apple Store in New York July 19, 2010. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

The Apple logo shines inside of an Apple Store in New York July 19, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Lucas Jackson

SAN FRANCISCO | Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:50pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc said on Tuesday that it would delay release of its eagerly anticipated white iPhone again, this time until next spring.

The latest version of the popular handset, the iPhone 4, was released in June, but the white model was delayed first to July, then to the end of the year and now to early next year.

"We're sorry to disappoint customers waiting for the white iPhone again," Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller. She declined to explain the delay.

Apple has never said exactly why the white iPhone has been so troublesome to produce. The company has only said the white model was "more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected."

Rumors about the white iPhone have been on Apple-focused blogs for months, with explanations ranging from color-matching problems to an issue with the device's backlight.

Color aside, Apple is not having any trouble selling its smartphone. The iPhone, which is available in black, has fueled Apple's growth over the past few years.

IPhone unit sales rose 91 percent to 14.1 million in Apple's most recent quarter, with a sales value of $8.6 billion.

Apple initially had trouble keeping up with demand, but the iPhone is now available in 89 countries.

Shares of Apple, based in Cupertino, California, fell 0.3 percent to close at $308.05.

(Reporting by Gabriel Madway; Editing by Gary Hill)
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Comments (4)
maxlift wrote:
Rumors on the Sony acquisition story aside, there is clearly at least one good thing that would come from such an investment were it to happen — Apple would finally be working with folks that know how to color a case.

Oct 26, 2010 12:47am EDT  --  Report as abuse
DougAnderson wrote:
American engineering at its finest.

Oct 27, 2010 1:54am EDT  --  Report as abuse
bartleby wrote:
The backs of the cases for these toys are made out of glass, to be less durable. Perhaps the technical problems have to do with making opaque, white glass that won’t break. Or at least, won’t break for a few months, until the warranty expires.

Oct 27, 2010 12:23pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
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