Consumers are highly anticipating Apple's rumoured iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S. However, the latest rumours claimed that the devices will be released in the third quarter of this year.

Tim Cook dropped several hints that the upcoming iPhone 6 and 5S will be released later this year.

In the most recent earnings call with investors, press and analysts, Cook said that no new products are to launch before the end of the year.

Cook also subtly dented rumours that the iPhone 5S could launch as early as June.

"Our teams are hard at work on some amazing new hardware, software, and services that we can't wait to introduce this fall and throughout 2014," Mr. Cook explains in a recent investors briefing.

Rumour has it that the next iPhone will feature Retina or IGZO screen display, A7 quad core chip processor, iOS 7, 128GB internal storage, 13 mega-pixel camera, and longer battery life. The lack of NFC support on the iPhone 5 was one of the biggest criticisms aimed at Apple's smartphone.

Meanwhile, the cheaper iPhone 5S is rumoured to sport a plastic casing, 4-inch screen display, dual core processor and 8-megapixel camera.

However, Apple has not yet commented on the rumours.

Below are the five reasons why Apple's smartphones will be released later this year.

  1. Analyst Predictions - Several analysts predicted that Apple's smartphones will be released later this year. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster believes the iPhone 6 will be launched in September, after the iPhone 5S sees its release date in June. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has the most impressive accuracy in predicting Apple's full product pipeline in 2012 predicted the release of iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S during the third quarter of this year.
  2. Release of Other Apple Products - Apple reportedly has a full plate in 2013, with plans to release updated Apple TVs, iPads, iPods, iMacs, MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros, as well as iPhones. The company may even release its first smartwatch, likely called "iWatch."
  3. iOS 7 Release - Apple is also set to release the next version of its operating system, which is an integral feature of the upcoming handsets.
  4. Production Issues - Part of analysts' predictions is the issues in the production line. It was reported that the two top executives of Foxconn parted from the company. Foxconn is Apple's partner in China, which is in charge of mass productions of the handsets.
  5. Maximizing iPhone 5 Profits - Apple is also maximizing the profits of the iPhone 5 released last year. The company is giving the device at least a year to fully maximize its sales.