The iPhone 6 could be coming sooner than previously expected, according to reports this week.
While some reports have said the Apple smartphone would be released in September, one report says that July would see the release of the phone, described as a “game changer.”
Mizuho Securities analyst Abhey Lamba told Street Insider that checks in Japan and Asia indicate that the iPhone 6 could be released in July, but noted that it’s still too early to know.
He noted that supply chains are getting ready for earlier production rather than later in the year, which is the norm for previous versions of the iPhone.
“Recently, the company has been introducing new lineup in September time frame whereas the next generation phones could come out in July this year,” he told the website. “The earlier launch will be helpful for Apple as it will ensure significant availability and distribution of the new device during the holiday season.”
Lamba added that multiple models of the phone are likely, noting that Apple could have 5.5- and 4.7-inch iPhone 6 models, rather than the 4-inch current size.
Finger print sensors could be enhanced on the phone to support a larger variety of applications.
“While the timing of the launches is uncertain, we would expect these products to be introduced in 2H14,” he added.
But that could just be another rumor. Other reports have said the phone will be coming in May, June, and September.
However, another report on Wednesday said that the iPhone 6 is coming in the fall, which is based on statements made by Tom Gutierrez, the CEO of GT Advanced Technologies, which is the company that Apple struck a deal with last year to produce Sapphire Glass products.
Apple released its last three iPhones in the fall.
Gutierrez, in an earnings release, hints that the iPhone 6 is coming later rather than sooner.
“We expect to return to profitability during the second half of 2014,” he said, according to GottabeMobile. “Our arrangement to supply sapphire materials to Apple is progressing well and we started to build out the facility in Arizona and staff the operation during the quarter.”
He added: “The company expects that revenue and profitability will be back end loaded, with its sapphire materials business ramping as the year progresses, and with improving financial performance during the second half of 2014.”
It’s worth noting that Samsung is releasing its Galaxy S5 in April, which means that Samsung will be competing with Apple’s iPhone 5 products.
