A woman looks at the screen of her mobile phone in front of an Apple logo outside its store in downtown Shanghai September 10, 2013.
A woman looks at the screen of her mobile phone in front of an Apple logo outside its store in downtown Shanghai September 10, 2013. Reuters

Apple is reportedly holding a press briefing on September 9 that likely will introduce the iPhone 6 - both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models - but release date of the device will not come until after a few more weeks.

Apple media event

Recode, a U.S. publication known for its accurate reports on Apple products and devices in the past, said in a new report that the iPhone maker will hold "a big media event," on the second Tuesday of next month.

"The focal point of this one is to be Apple's next-generation iPhones, which are expected to feature larger displays of 4.7 and 5.5 inches and run speedy new A8 processors," added the same report.

However, Apple has opted to neither confirm nor deny the report that the next iPhone will finally go public in September, Recode clarified on its report.

Delayed arrival

As the same report remains steadfast to earlier insinuations that the Apple flagship smartphone will hit the market in two variants - one of which a phablet iPhone - Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities reiterated his earlier claims that the handset will not sit on store shelves shortly after the rumoured uncloaking.

According to G4Games, Kuo looks to an October 2014 commercial debut for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and a bit more of waiting for the larger model. The analyst has earlier suggested that the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will not touch down until December 2014, at the earliest.

And like in his previous reports, Kuo blamed low yield issues for the release delay. Specifically, "the iPhone 6 may be subject to release date delays caused by in-cell touch panel production issues and low-yield casing/chassis problems," the same G4Games report said.

Kuo's forecast is in line with a previous report from DigiTimes of Taiwan - that Apple will deliver the two new iPhones in two installments and the delay is deliberate so the two devices will have adequate space for maximum sales result.

A distinct iPhone 6 phablet

Another possible explanation for a later landing of the bigger iPhone 6 is its overall build, which is rumoured to be slightly different from the smaller model with the former serving as the high-end option.

Speculations are rife that to distinguish the jumbo iPhone 6 from the standard edition, the former will showcase a fresh form-factor - thinner and lighter - and will boast of sapphire glass coating for extra durability.

Analysts also expect the hybrid iPhone 6, which fuses smartphone and tablet functions in a single device, to sport a higher sticker price on release date or likely starting at around $300 for units with contract agreements and $700+ for the unlocked models.