Consumers who are closely following the impending release of iPhone 5 may no longer have to count the days with pins and needles as the device is expected to be launched in about a month.

The latest rumored release of the upcoming smartphone from Apple is on September 12. While Apple is yet to issue an official confirmation, signs abound that the smartphone is coming earlier than we expected.

Below are some of the major signs that the release of the next iPhone is near

eBay trade-ins surges

According to online trading site eBay, their web site registered a spike in the number of owners trying to sell their current smartphones. The site reported that smartphone trade-ins increased about 70 percent.

The increase is sparked by the reports from credible new websites that iPhone 5 will be launched on September 12 and will be available on September 21.

Apple Store and Networks' clearance price on iPhone 4 and 4S

US Networks started dropping down the prices of previous models of iPhone last week. Sprint and Best Buy offered $50 discount on the purchases of iPhone 4 and 4S. Moreover, Apple Stores started matching the discounts offered by networks.

This may be good news to some buyers. Those who are planning to buy previous models of the smartphone will enjoy the discounts. However, other buyers may be waiting for the latest model of Apple's smartphone. MacRumors mentioned that the next iPhone have better and longer battery life. This is one of the advantages that consumers may be waiting for.

Gazelle and NextWorth buying more smartphones

Tech devices buyer Gazelle and NextWorth said that there is an increase in number of people selling their handsets on the aforementioned companies.

The companies refurbish the gadgets and sell them online in eBay or Amazon. Gazelle's price for an AT&T 16GB iPhone 4S was $277, while NextWorth, another used smartphone buyer, offered $263 for the same model.

As usual, tech giant Apple is tight-lipped about the features and release date of its latest smartphone. However, numerous rumors emerged surrounding the handset. The latest rumor is that Apple is developing the thinnest iPhone yet. Analysts predicted that we will be seeing a 7.66mm thin iPhone 5.

Taiwanese daily newspaper Apple Daily published a report claiming that the new iPhone 5 will be skinnier. Earlier reports have suggested that the device will be taller than the current model and feature an expanded display.

Another rumor surrounding the device is its smaller micro dock connector. Previous iPhones sport a 30-pin dock connector and earlier reports claimed that it will be replaced with 19-pin dock connector. This may impact consumers who would like to upgrade as they will also have to upgrade their accessories using 30-pin.

New reports said that the new iPhone 5 will have a 9-pin dock connector. The beta version of iOS 6 holds proof on this claim. Smaller dock connector will yield more space inside for greater features.

Apple fell into second place in the smartphone market behind its main competitor Samsung. With minimal changes made on the outside, we can only hope that the Apple packed more inside the new iPhone 5. Some of the rumored features of the upcoming iPhone 5 are 4G/LTE capability, A6 chip and equipped by the new iOS 6.