Shipments of the next gen iPhone -- rumored to be announced on Sept. 12 and released in third quarter the year -- will probably fall below 15 million units compared to the expected 20 million units, according to "DigiTimes" (www.digitimes.com).

Why? The report, quoting unnamed "sources in the supply chain," says the forecast previously due to low yield rates in the production of in-cell touch panels as well as a connector at the bottom of the phone. A reduction in the first batch of shipments of new iPhones may result in a short supply, "which in turn may trigger a buying spree for the new models in the fourth quarter as well as in the first half of 2013," reports "DigiTimes."