Apple seeding developers with A5-powered iPhones?

Apple is seeding select developers with A5-powered iPhone prototypes in anticipation of the next-generation model’s release, according to a new report. Citing an unnamed source, 9 to 5 Mac reports that the prototype units are “virtually identical” to the current iPhone 4, save for the processor inside. The report goes on to state that the units are being provided so that developers can ready their iPhone applications to take full advantage of the more powerful hardware, and that the source’s unit is kept in a safe at the company’s offices when it’s not in use. A report from earlier this week claimed that Apple plans to begin production of the next-generation iPhone in July or August, with shipments set to begin in September.