5.5-Inch iPhone 6 is iPhone Air on Sept 19 Release Date: 5 Things to Consider Before Buying

A jumbo-sized iPhone 6 at 5.5-inch on release date is firming up further as new reports support the impending arrival of Apple's biggest smartphone ever.

Earlier this year, reports from China claimed that Apple will retail the larger of the two 2014 iPhone models as the iPhone Air. Obviously, the labelling is in line with Apple's MacBook Air and the iPad Air that got their names due to their super-slim profile.

And the iPhone Air will be in the same league - trimmed down to depth of between 6mm and 7mm, depending on which leaks to believe.

But before grabbing the first iPhone phablet, which analysts said will easily become a runaway blockbuster once it is issued, there are five things to mull over on the humongous device before making the decision to buy.

Ready to go phablet?

Since 2011, when the first Galaxy Note hybrid phone came out, Android fans have been treated to supersized smartphone experience that generally extends the device's functions to near-tablet features.

True, the bigger space to navigate about on the screen and more viewing window are the benefits that certainly users appreciate, which explains the segment's ongoing explosion.

However, will most of the iOS crowd readily embrace the Apple phablet era the way that Android lovers did? One glaring downside of moving around with a huge device is less convenience. No doubt, the 4-inch iPhone 5S is easier to slide in and out of the pocket than that of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6.

iWallet

More proofs are showing up that point to a mobile payment path for the next iPhone. Apple, apparently, is working on a service that makes use of near-field communication as the core technology.

The object is to provide a user-friendly facility that also highlights a more robust security protocol. But with the latest iCloud hacking scandal that saw the leak of nude photos by A1 celebrities, will consumers readily trust their credit card information with Apple?

Sapphire glass cover

As soon as speculations about the iPhone 6 started firing up, sapphire became part of the narrative. The idea in using sapphire glass cover instead of the usual Corning Glass is to protect the next iPhone from scratches.

However, while a new report from Business Insider is supportive of the idea that the iPhone 6 will stay dent-free for the life of the product, its screen is not exactly damage-proof.

"Since sapphire is more brittle than glass, there's a chance it could also be more prone to cracks," the report added, citing Raymond Soneira of DisplayMate Technologies as source.

Redesigned and better charging accessories

Reports are rife that Apple will enhance the charging accessories that will come with the iPhone 6. The Lightning cable will have reversible USB for added convenience and possibly faster power re-juicing. Also, the charging adapter will bring power to the device at, again, a faster rate.

But the upgrade may not debut in time with the 2014 iPhone launch, according to Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities. The redesign is likely put off due to "cost concerns and limited improvements to overall user experience that such changes would bring," Kuo was reported by Apple Insider as saying in his latest note to investors.

Premium price

This week, reports emerged that the iPhone 6 sticker price will be higher than its immediate predecessor - the iPhone 5S. Unlocked, the cash damage could go as high as $950 while the contract-laden unit will sell at around $300. The price points are for the 5.5-inch model.

Will consumers take the bite and surrender more cash when they can the same experience with the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 that most likely will sell for no more than $200 with locked-in agreement?

These concerns will hopefully get their answers on Apple's September 9 iPhone 6 introduction or a week after, likely on September 19, which is deemed as the actual release date for the device.