Analyst reports that iPhone orders have been reduced in anticipation of next-gen iPhone

Apple’s next-gen iPhone is expected to roll out possibly in the later part of 2012, assuming that it will now be following the same timetable as the iPhone 4S which was released last year. While the specs of the phone are pretty much up in the air at the moment, it seems that more proof of a next-gen iPhone launch later this year has started to emerge. According to analyst Shawn Wu of Sterne Agee, he has written in a note to investors that after checking with suppliers, it seems that Apple has reduced iPhone orders between 20% to 25% compared to the 35.1 million units the company had shipped in the March quarter.

He has stated that this was by no means an indication of waning interest in the iPhone, but rather it is due to the upcoming sixth generation iPhone which would most likely see a refresh in September/October. The reduction in orders was done by Apple to help manage their inventory to avoid being overburdened with excess inventory once their next-gen iPhone has been announced. Granted it’s pretty much a given that Apple refreshes their products on a yearly basis, but for those still hoping against hope that the iPhone could be launched at WWDC this year, assuming Wu’s predictions and sources are accurate, you guys could be in for a disappointment.