Analyst: Two New iPhones On The Way

Normally, Apple rolls out a new iPhone at this time of year. Late June and early July appears to be a favorite time to introduce new products, but this year all is quiet in Apple Land.

Well, not completely quiet. Chris Whitmore, a technology analyst for Deutsche Bank, has issued a note to clients that says he believes new iPhones are on the way. That's plural, as in more than one.

According to the note, Whitmore believes Apple will hit the market in September with two new iPhone models.

"With Nokia and RIM struggling, the time is right for Apple to aggressively penetrate the mid-range smartphone market to dramatically expand its [total addressable market] and market share," Whitmore wrote.

One of the models will reportedly be the long-awaited iPhone 4, the update of the iPhone 4, introduced a year ago. According to Whitmore, it will be the model with the newest, latest features and carry the high-end price tag.

The second model, according to Whitmore, is the iPhone 4S, a basic teaking of the current model and priced more affordably. Months ago the hot rumor was that Apple was about to launch a small, stripped down iPhone called the Nano. Whitmore says the 4S won't be the Nano, though it might carry the Nano's price point.

What would make the 4S a big departure for Apple, says Whitmore, is if the company releases it unlocked, primarily as a device for the pre-paid market. It would open a huge new market for the iPhone, which is currently limited to AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

This is the first year since 2008 that Apple has failed to update its iPhone during the June-July time period.