New reports have emerged that Apple is rejecting store employees' vacation requests between Oct 9. and 15, supporting the theory that the iPhone 5 will be launched in October.

The new rumour stems from AppleInsider, which says "people familiar with the matter" had revealed Apple was blocking its store staffs' holiday requests for the middle of October.

"Apple is quietly denying requests for employee vacations during the second week of October, hinting that the company currently anticipates an influx of customers to its stores around that time related to availability of its new iOS 5 and fifth-generation iPhone products," read AppleInsider's report.

The news has since been taken as further evidence that Apple plans to release its highly anticipated, though currently unconfirmed, next entry into the iPhone franchise next month.

The claim of an early October release initially stemmed from tech site All Things Digital. It suggested Apple's new CEO Tim Cook will announce the iPhone 5 during the company's next "big media event" on 4 October.

All Things Digital's report later gained momentum when Apple board member Al Gore allegedly revealed that Apple planned to release "new iPhones" in October.

Apple is still yet to release any official information on any new iPhone devices.

IPhone