Apple iPhone 6 Release Date Nears: 11 Alleged Photos (And One Video) Of The Budget iPhone 5

For the first time in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) history, the company will release two new iPhone models in the same year, including a high-end model, the so-called iPhone 5S, and an inexpensive model aimed at lower tax brackets and emerging markets such as China and India: Some believe Apple will call the latter device the iPhone 6, but we think the company will adopt simple nomenclature and opt to call it the iPhone.

For months, we’ve seen alleged leaks, photographs and specifications of the budget iPhone 6, but the past few weeks have been replete with a great surge in rumors, powered by convincing photos -- and even video -- of what Apple plans to release for the iPhone 6.

After French site NowhereElse posted several photos that looked like rear shells of Apple’s candy-colored iPhone 6 in early July, M.I.C. Gadget blog’s editor-in-chief Chris Chang posted photos and video of the iPhone 6 on the Techdy Blog that he said came directly from suppliers in Taiwan. These photos appear authentic, which leads us to believe the iPhone 6 is real and ready for its release date this fall. Still, Apple won’t address any of its future products before their intended release dates, so watch the iPhone 6 video and check out these alleged iPhone 6 photos to formulate your own opinion.

Back in January, iLounge editor-in-chief Jeremy Horwitz said the iPhone 6 would release as a “cross between the iPhone 5, the fifth-generation iPod touch and -- wait for it -- the iPod classic.” With its 4-inch screen like the iPhone 5, a tapered bottom like the latest iPod touch and a rectangular shape like the iPod classic, the budget iPhone 6 is said to be substantially made from plastic, but featuring a hybrid chassis made of both plastic and metal: Techdy believes Apple has chosen to release the iPhone 6 in a polycarbonate solution. The right side of the iPhone 6 features a flat, centered subscriber identity module, or SIM, card tray like the iPhone 5, with the locations of the camera, microphone and rear flash located similarly to where they were on the latest-generation iPod touch.

Apple plans to release the iPhone 6 in all the same markets as its high-end iPhone line, but will reportedly focus on driving the iPhone 6 in China, which is Apple’s second-largest market after the U.S. Apple likely wants to strike a deal with China Mobile Ltd. (NYSE:CHL), the largest telecommunications carrier in the world with 703 million subscribers, to support the iPhone 6 on its expansive TD-LTE network after its release date this year.

And speaking of a release date, we expect Apple to unveil the iPhone 6 simultaneously with the iPhone 5S at a September event to celebrate the public release date of iOS 7. But even if the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 make their debuts together, we ultimately believe Apple will release the two new iPhone models on two separate dates to avoid heavy lines at Apple’s physical retail stores. Specifically, we believe Apple will release the iPhone 5S on Sept. 20, just two days after the release of iOS 7, and release the iPhone 6 on Sept. 27.

What do you think of the iPhone 6? Would you consider purchasing an iPhone 6 over Apple’s main iPhone line, even if that means sacrificing some key user features to save some money? Are you looking forward to its release date this fall? Let us know what you think of the iPhone 6 in the comments section below.

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