Apple iPhone 6 Release Date 14 October
Apple will release the iPhone 6 on 14 October according to sources with knowledge of an Apple Retail Store meeting. Getty

Breaking with the September release schedule for the last couple of iPhones, Apple could be pushing back the release date of the iPhone 6 until October according to sources within Apple's retail stores.

Speaking to MacRumours, sources with knowledge of the matter said that the launch would take place during "an incredibly busy" month of October for the company, citing an internal Apple Retail Store meeting.

"The source notes that a senior Store Leader mentioned October 14th as being an 'immense' day for Apple, adding that the whole month of October would be very busy for stores and the company itself. Apple is also said to planning a media event for Tuesday, September 16, coming a month ahead of the device's launch."

Looking at the last four iPhone launches, we can see that Apple doesn't have a very definitive pattern when it comes to releasing its biggest product each year:

  • The iPhone 4 was unveiled on 7 June and went on sale in certain countries on 24 June.
  • The iPhone 4s was unveiled on 4 October and went on sale in certain countries on 14 October.
  • The iPhone 5 was unveiled on 12 September and went on sale in certain countries on 21 September.
  • The iPhone 5s/5c were unveiled on 10 September and went on sale in certain countries on 20 September.

Tuesday launch

Prior to this rumour most reports had assumed a September launch for the iPhone 6 mirroring the last two iPhone launches. The Tuesday launch will also be a departure from recent launches which have taken place on a Friday, but could reflect the pent up demand for bigger iPhones, and Apple putting a larger order in from suppliers.

MacRumours adds that with iOS 8 and iPhone 6 unveiling out of the way in September, it could be also preparing an October press event to launch its much talked-about iWatch alongside the public release of Yosemite and potentially some new iPads.

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Apple is widely expected to launch two new iPhone 6 models in the coming months. Both will feature larger screens - 4.7in and 5.5in - though there have been reports recently that Apple is struggling to produce enough of the larger screens.

iPhablet

That said, the company is also reported to have placed an order for 80 million of the new iPhones from its suppliers, which is 20 million more than last year's order.

While sales of the iPhone are still strong, many feel Apple is losing out to Android-based smartphones because people want a larger screen than the 4in one offered by the iPhone 5/5s/5c.

With a 4.7in screen Apple will compete with the likes of the Galaxy S5, HTC One (M8) and Xperia Z2, while the 5.5in iPhone 6 will compete in the phablet market where the Samsung Galaxy Note range is currently dominant.

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IPhone 6 IPad