Could it be that the Apple media event in Sept 10 involves not only the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C but also the hotly-speculated iPhone 6? Is it likely too that a simultaneous release date for the three gadgets will happen on Sept 20?

These intriguing questions surfaced as reports came out this week alleging that the tech giant has been working all along on a handset that will sport a screen size larger than the iPhone 5's 4-inch. It will serve as Apple's initial entry into the growing phablet market, currently dominated by Samsung, the company's arch-foe.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the iPhone maker is not only toying the idea of coming up with a solid Galaxy Note 3 rival. It is also experimenting with prototype handsets that bear stretched screens, exceeding the company's present 4-inch standard.

"The electronics giant has begun evaluating a plan to offer iPhones with screens ranging from 4.8 inches to as high as six inches," said the same WSJ report.

While it is highly possible that the experiment would yield an iPhone build with screen larger than that of the Note 3, it is more likely that 4.8-inch would be picked as the optimal size for what would become as the first iPhone phablet.

Recall that Apple CEO Tim Cook is not entirely sold to the idea of a giant-screen iPhone, insisting that such render represents tech tradeoffs. Yet by limiting the device on a 4.8-inch screen profile, could it be that Mr Cook's reservations have been properly addressed.

And Apple is now ready to play the very game that Samsung has boldly started and skirmish with its rival where it most matters, in China?

As of June 2013, China is Samsung's territory and Apple, no doubt, is on a warpath to change that situation. One solid sign pointing to that course is the Apple invites sent out in China, informing tech journalists of an iPhone launch that will occur in Beijing a day after the San Franciso event.

Immediately, whispers spread out that something big is landing in the Asian economic powerhouse and the obvious suspect is the Apple phablet.

One analyst, according to Apple Insider, is convinced that a large-screen iPhone would boost Apple's plan of tapping into the vast Chinese mobile users, which reportedly are enamoured with the humongous gizmos that have been sprouting, thanks to the surprising success of the Galaxy Note series from Samsung.

Wielding giant smartphones is presently considered a fashion statement in China, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Brian White was reported by Apple Insider as saying. And flowing with the stream or selling what Chinese consumers want, is the most logical thing to do for Apple, added the same report.

Mr White clarified though that seeing the iPhone this month or within 2013 is very remote for now. Yet Apple can always pull a surprise next week.

It these wild talks pan out, we could see a triple iOS gadget release date happening in Sept 2013, involving the iPhone 5S, the mid-range iPhone 5C and the iPhone 6 - all powered by the Jony Ive-redesigned iOS 7.