Apple to begin shipping new iPhone in Sept?

HONG KONG, CHINA: Apple Inc suppliers will begin production of its next-generation iPhone in July this year, with the finished product likely to begin shipping in September, three people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The new smartphone will have a faster processor but will look largely similar to the current iPhone 4, one of the people said. They declined to be identified because the plans were not yet public.

On Tuesday Apple sued rival Samsung Electronics claiming that the South Korean firm's Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets "slavishly" copies the iPhone and iPad.