Jefferies analyst Peter Misek has today claimed that Apple’s iPhone 5S will enter mass production this month ahead of its release in late September or early October. Misek also claims that Apple has already begun producing its low-cost iPhone, which he believes will cost $300-$400 without a carrier subsidy.

Misek believes that iPhone 5S production with begin at the end of this month, ready for a release in “either late September or early October,” Business Insider reports. In addition to this, Apple has already begun producing the low-cost iPhone, which Misek expects to sell for $300-$400.

With that price tag, the low-cost iPhone is expected to feature midrange specifications that’ll compete with other midrange devices — not “budget” handsets from rivals like Samsung. “It will not be competitive in emerging markets,” Misek claims.

Misek expects Apple to order 50-55 million iPhone in the fourth quarter. That order will consist of around 5 million iPhone 4S units, 20 million low-cost iPhone units, and 25 million iPhone 5S units, Business Insider reports.

It’s worth noting at this point that Misek sometimes gets things wrong, and he often makes some pretty farfetched claims about Apple’s upcoming plans — like the Apple television that you control with an “iRing.” So take this with a pinch of salt for now.

Having said that, if the iPhone 5S launches this fall — which everyone is expecting it to — it’ll have to enter mass production relatively soon. Misek’s claims may not be too far off this time around, then, though you could question the low-cost iPhone’s pretty hefty price tag.

Via: Business Insider