iPhone 5 Dock Connector Picture Leaked; LG Begins Producing Screens As Release Date Looms

Apple is expected to finally lift the curtain on the much-anticipated iPhone 5 at an announcement on September 12. The iPhone 5 should then be in consumers' hands as early as September 21 in the United States, and will be available internationally on October 5, according to website iMore. As the date approaches, leaked pictures show the smaller dock connecter and LG announces that they have begun producing screens for the iPhone 5.

The smaller dock connector has been talked about numerous times, with estimates of the new pin count ranging from 8 pins to 19 pins. The leaked picture reveals that the dock will be nine pins.

Apple plans on introducing a smaller dock when it reveals its upcoming line of products on September 12. Along with the iPhone 5, the iPad Mini, and new iPods are expected to make their debuts.

When reports of the smaller dock first hit web, the assumption was that this would render all current iAccessories useless. Everything from stereos to cables would no longer support the new iPhone format. However, the blog AWhiteDot spotted an accidental posting on the Apple store that showed off a "Dock Connector to Mini Dock Connector Converter." If this is true, then rest easy that all the fancy gadgets you bought for your iPhone and iPad will still be useable in the next round of Apple's products.

Despite having no formal confirmation from Apple, the iPhone 5 will be coming out soon if you look at Apple's supply chain. Manufacturing plants such as Foxconn have ramped up summer hiring, and iPhone 5 display maker Sharp said that it began shipping screens in August.

Another one of the display makers for the iPhone, LG, now joins the club in formally announcing that it is manufacturing components for the iPhone 5.

"We just began mass production and we don't expect any disruption in supplies," said chief executive of LG Display Han Sang-beom.

A Reuters report also states that the screens for the iPhone 5 will be thinner, and will be four inches instead of the current 3.5 inches.

If the rumors are true, the iPhone 5 will be the biggest overhaul to the iPhone's design in a couple years. It should launch with Apple's iOS 6 and support 4G LTE.