6 Things to Know About the iPhone 6 before its Sept 9 Intro & Sept 19 Release Date

Apple's September 9 media event is practically a heartbeat away and a week after that, most likely on September 19, the actual release date of the device is expected to take place.

To date, however, many things about the next iPhone remain speculative. But sifting through the tons of rumours circulating so far, six details appear headed on the confirmation path - six iPhone 6 specs and features that surely Apple fans will readily embrace.

One iPhone at a time

As sure as the iPhone 6 will be unveiled Tuesday this week and its availability to follow 10 days later, consumers can expect the device's actual arrival to happen one at a time. That means only one of the reported two iPhones is slated to hit the store shelves this September 2014.

The latest indicator of this scenario is the note from Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities, which reiterated an earlier projection that supply issues will hamper the first few months of the new iPhone global rollout. Kuo blames production challenges for the shortage though a recent report by DigiTimes had suggested that the iPhone 6 coming one model at a time is a deliberate action by Apple.

And the likelihood is, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will be the first to unwrap this week and unbox Friday next week.

Feature-rich iOS 8

Apple watchers are convinced that by next Wednesday or precisely on September 17, iOS 8 will officially replace iOS 7 and the new software is naturally stuffed with killer features. Some of the core offerings are HomeKit, which will empower users to remotely control their iOS device-connected home appliances, and HealthKit, which will serve as a handy tool to monitor and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The iWatch

One key distinction of the iPhone 6 from the previous models is it will have the luxury of a companion device - a wearable gadget in fact that goes by the name iWatch, if numerous prove correct.

The iWatch is mainly designed as an iPhone accessory so its central functions are largely extension of the smartphone's. Rumours also alleged that the smartwatch, also powered by a scaled-down iOS 8, will be some sort of a remote control for the iPhone 6 and a number of iOS 8 applications.

The wristwatch will also have stand-alone features apart from accurately telling the time. But the iPhone and iWatch working together would slightly be delayed as reports indicate that the latter will not launch until early 2015.

iWallet

Ambitious as it is, Apple will reportedly persuade iPhone users to treat the device as their wallet via a new service that will be dubbed as iWallet. According to Business Insider, even when coming late to the game Apple is still poised to dominate online and offline payment service through mobile device.

Four things are key to Apple's inevitable success in the field - easy, wide-reaching, safe and secure mobile payment facility which is made possible by the rollout of these three-combo technologies: Touch ID fingerprint sensor, iBeacon and near-field communication or NFC.

The fourth element is the tech giants' partnership with credit card companies - American Express, Master Card and Visa - and retailer that will ensure iWallet is successfully implemented in most markets around and at the soonest possible time following the iPhone 6 commercial debut next week.

Killer camera

What Apple will pack with the next iPhone shooter is still a big question maek but according to The Verge, the minimum expectation should of a killer camera, in terms of hardware and software. The long-standing chatter on this respect involves the introduction of optical image stabilisation and a rear lens of between 8MP and 12MP.

Premium sticker price

With contract, the iPhone 6 will sell at around $200 but this applicable only for U.S.-based buyers and likely exclusive only for the 4.7-inch variant. As for the 5.5-inch phablet-size edition, the cash damage should be no less than $300, also with lock-in agreement.

It is an entirely different story for the unlocked units as many analysts believe that the iPhone 6 will require more cash for buyers to take handset home. The bet for the regular, open-line iPhone 6 starting price is $700+ while the jumbo-sized can go as high as $1000 for the basic configuration.

As mentioned, the earliest iPhone 6 release date, that is for the 4.7-inch, is September 19 with pre-orders to start as early as September 12 while the 5.5-inch build is not expected to touch down until Christmas time 2014 or a bit later.