iPhone 5S production rumored to have already begun

iPhone 5S production has already kicked off, a Japanese-language Apple blog reported today.

Foxconn has begun "partial production" of the iPhone 5S, a "reliable source" has toldMacotakara. Both MacRumors and AppleInsider cited the report earlier today.

The 5S is being built on the same production line as the iPhone 5, according to Macotakara.

The Japanese blog goes on to claim that NTT Docomo is cutting back on orders for Androiddevices to make way for introduction of the iPhone. NTT Docomo does not currently carry the iPhone.

Rumors have been swirling in the last 24 hours as to when the iPhone 5S will become available. One analyst claims August, while another anticipates a June-July scenario.

Whichever it is, it would make sense for limited production to begin in March.

The 5S may use a new A7 Apple chip, a better camera based on a LED technology referred to as "Smart Flash, a fingerprint chip, and versions will support China's time-division duplexing (TDD) standard, according to recent speculation.