Rumor: Apple's 'iPhone 6' to launch on Sept. 25, larger 5.5" version dubbed 'iPhone Air'
Another questionable rumor out of China on Thursday claims Apple will announce its next-gen iPhone on Sept. 15 ahead of a Sept. 25 launch date, while mention is made of a 16GB 5.5-inch version that will supposedly be called "iPhone Air."
"iPhone 6" and "iPhone 6c" concepts by Martin Hajek.
According to Chinese language website China.com, industry sources are telling various media outlets in the region that Apple is planning to start sales of its next iPhone on Sept. 25, with China expected to be in the first group of countries to get the device.
The report, spotted by GforGames is highly suspect, as Apple historically starts sales of new iPhone models on Fridays, and Sept. 25 is a Thursday. Last year, Apple performed a simultaneous launch with the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on Friday, Sept. 20.
Perhaps more believable, though by no means verifiable, is a rumor from May saying that Apple plans to launch the device or devices on Sept. 19, a date echoed in a follow-up report last week.
Insiders also said a 5.5-inch "phablet" version of the next-gen "iPhone 6" will be called "iPhone Air," though such a move would likely confuse the "Air" naming convention. As it stands, the MacBook Air represents the Apple's smallest and lightest laptops, while the "Air" moniker is assigned to the company's largest iPad.
As for pricing, Thursday's report is exactly in line with prior claims that the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will cost 5,288 yuan (about $850) when it hits store shelves. While last week's rumor failed to mention a 16GB variant of an anticipated 5.5-inch iPhone, today's report cites insiders as saying the device does exist and expects it to run 5,998 yuan (about $965).
Finally, sources claim Apple's partner carriers in the region, China Mobile and China Unicom, are already testing prototype iPhone 6 units on their respective 4G networks.
When the next-gen iPhone lineup does launch sometime this fall, many expect the handset to feature a complete redesign relocated sleep/wake button, slimmed-down profile and advanced innards like an "A8" processor. Some analysts believe Apple plans to differentiate the purported 5.5-inch version from its smaller siblings by adding on features like optical image stabilization and higher storage capacities.

According to Chinese language website China.com, industry sources are telling various media outlets in the region that Apple is planning to start sales of its next iPhone on Sept. 25, with China expected to be in the first group of countries to get the device.
The report, spotted by GforGames is highly suspect, as Apple historically starts sales of new iPhone models on Fridays, and Sept. 25 is a Thursday. Last year, Apple performed a simultaneous launch with the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on Friday, Sept. 20.
Perhaps more believable, though by no means verifiable, is a rumor from May saying that Apple plans to launch the device or devices on Sept. 19, a date echoed in a follow-up report last week.
Insiders also said a 5.5-inch "phablet" version of the next-gen "iPhone 6" will be called "iPhone Air," though such a move would likely confuse the "Air" naming convention. As it stands, the MacBook Air represents the Apple's smallest and lightest laptops, while the "Air" moniker is assigned to the company's largest iPad.
As for pricing, Thursday's report is exactly in line with prior claims that the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will cost 5,288 yuan (about $850) when it hits store shelves. While last week's rumor failed to mention a 16GB variant of an anticipated 5.5-inch iPhone, today's report cites insiders as saying the device does exist and expects it to run 5,998 yuan (about $965).
Finally, sources claim Apple's partner carriers in the region, China Mobile and China Unicom, are already testing prototype iPhone 6 units on their respective 4G networks.
When the next-gen iPhone lineup does launch sometime this fall, many expect the handset to feature a complete redesign relocated sleep/wake button, slimmed-down profile and advanced innards like an "A8" processor. Some analysts believe Apple plans to differentiate the purported 5.5-inch version from its smaller siblings by adding on features like optical image stabilization and higher storage capacities.
Comments
I really hate the idea that a 5.5 would become flagship with features not include in a 4.7. Mainly because I don't want a 5.5
Well, I think most people will buy the 4.7 an it will be the flagship phone.
The 5.5 is a phablet and as such it is different.
Note that the current iPhone 5s is only 4.0 inches so 4.7 is large and 5.5 is huge.
I'm still not convinced these phablets are that popular (outside of China).
They seem to be pretty popular here in Vancouver, at least among female Asian transit users. Strangely, it seems the smaller the woman, the larger the phone! All the ladies I've seen carrying them are tiny.
They seem to be pretty popular here in Vancouver, at least among female Asian transit users. Strangely, it seems the smaller the woman, the larger the phone! All the ladies I've seen carrying them are tiny.
I'm thinking it's not the size of the woman --it's the size of her purse. The women I know are always losing things, including phones, in their purse. I think the 5.5" iPhone is appealing because it will be easier to find.
On a related note -- I want a phone that can fit in my jeans pocket. But women almost never have pockets, so that's not an issue for them. They carry things in their purse. It all comes back to that darned purse. I'll bet 3/4 of those 5.5" iPhones go to women...
I think it makes a lot of sense to move away from numbered naming of iPhones to having a portfolio of iPhones with consistent names.
If they want to be consistent-ish with other product lines would call the 5.5" the iPhone Pro, the 4.7" the iPhone Air, and the 4" the iPhone Mini.
They could also add a 12" iPad and have that be the iPad Pro. Then they really would have consistent naming between those two product lines.
Anyone find 850 to be a bit much? Currently an iPhone with ATT costs 650, I can see 750 but 850? Even I as an Apple fan have to wonder if the phone is worth that much. It would certainly hurt sales if people have to pay 400 after subsidy, big screen or not. Unless the carriers are suppose to pay a bigger portion.
Why would the larger version be the Air? Wouldn't it make more sense to have the 4.7" iPhone Air and the 5.5" iPhone Pro, mirroring the screen size / power increase found in Apple's other 'Pro' devices?
Originally Posted by Blastdoor
I'm thinking it's not the size of the woman --it's the size of her purse. The women I know are always losing things, including phones, in their purse. I think the 5.5" iPhone is appealing because it will be easier to find.
So are you one of those that also says blonde women are air heads? How about relating the size of a mans hands or foot size to the size of his pecker?
Did you ever consider that maybe the size of their purse is a function of the phone size the carry?
If this was supposed to have been a sarcastic joke then my bad otherwise shame on you. BTW: my wife has a quite small bag but is constantly misplacing her keys and iPhone (mostly in her purse) LOL.
I agree that the 5.5 having features that the 4.7 doesn't, would be a little sad.
I disagree - I think it'd be a shame if it didn't have superior hardware. A 5.5" screen gives them a lot more case space to play with, and it would be a real disappointment if Apple didn't take advantage of that space to include (for example) better camera components that physically wouldn't fit in a smaller device.
These rumors are getting sillier all the time. Who announces new products on a Monday? Nobody. And the 4.7" will start at 32GB but the 5.5" at 16GB? That makes no sense at all.
I feel like I'm missing something here - why is one day of the week better than another for making product announcements?
I think it makes a lot of sense to move away from numbered naming of iPhones to having a portfolio of iPhones with consistent names....
...They could also add a 12" iPad and have that be the iPad Pro. Then they really would have consistent naming between those two product lines.
I agree about the numbering in the name although I don't think they need to get too carried away with it. Keep it simple but clear where it fits in the order of things (although I don't see Apple ever going down the road of even a dozen iPhone models 3 or 4 with different memory configs -- they did that with Macs and it was one of the things Steve Jobs killed when he got back).
I'm thinking it's not the size of the woman --it's the size of her purse. The women I know are always losing things, including phones, in their purse. I think the 5.5" iPhone is appealing because it will be easier to find.
On a related note -- I want a phone that can fit in my jeans pocket. But women almost never have pockets, so that's not an issue for them. They carry things in their purse. It all comes back to that darned purse. I'll bet 3/4 of those 5.5" iPhones go to women...
Yes. Many phablet users I see are women, since they just chuck it in a bag.
Sadly, most of them don't understand the purpose of a tablet, so they think by having some massive phone they're covered on both fronts.
So are you one of those that also says blonde women are air heads? How about relating the size of a mans hands or foot size to the size of his pecker?
Did you ever consider that maybe the size of their purse is a function of the phone size the carry?
If this was supposed to have been a sarcastic joke then my bad otherwise shame on you. BTW: my wife has a quite small bag but is constantly misplacing her keys and iPhone (mostly in her purse) LOL.
dude -- lighten up. No, I was not being sarcastic. But what I was saying is not equivalent to the other things you mention. Everything I said is a fact:
1. Far more women carry purses than men. That's a fact.
2. Men's pants are far more likely to have a front pocket. That's a fact.
3. Women tend to have difficulty finding things in their purse. That's also a fact. And it's not because they are women. I have a hard time finding things in my backpack, which is why I often put important things like keys and phones in my pants pockets. But women can't do that -- not their fault, it's just the way women's clothing are made.
There is nothing in my post that was sexist. You imputed that using your imagination. Shame on you.