My prediction for when you'll see a white iPhone 4 ...

I keep coming across rumor and speculation as to when Apple will release the latest "must have" product - the white iPhone 4. Well, here's my 2 cents on the subject ... and feel free to keep the change.

Here's my release date prediction - NEVER.

The white iPhone 4 has seen numerous  delays. Not as many as the long-awaited Duke Nukem sequel, but it's starting to get close. First, the white iPhone 4 was delayed until July, then the end of this year, then until next spring. The delay has been put down to the white handset being "more challenging to manufacture." Rumors also say the problems are down to light leakage affecting the forward-facing camera or difficulties in matching the shade of white for the different parts. But Apple is adamant this time of a spring 2011 launch.

Well, think about that "spring" release window. Apple normally refreshes the iPhone in June or July (the original iPhone was launched June 29, 2007, the 3G on July 11, 2008, the 3GS June 19, 2009, and the 4 on June 24, 2010). This means that the white iPhone 4, it it's released in "spring" will be "new" for a few months. Does it make any sense for Apple to release a white iPhone 4 only a few months before it is superseded by the iPhone 5 (or 4G, or 4GS or whatever it ends up being called)? It doesn't make sense, at least not to me.

My bet is that there will never be a white iPhone 4. What do you think?

[UPDATE: Just as I was getting ready to post this, I spot this snapshot of an Apple Store sign over on Cult of Mac which seems to indicate that Apple is at least still sticking to the message that the white iPhone 4 is on track for a spring 2011 launch.

OK, theory time. About the only reason I can come up with for Apple releasing this in spring is that it might help reinvigorate sales during that lull that seems to appear before the announcement of a new handset. Does Apple have the audacity to try to pull off a stunt like that? Yes ...]