iPhone 6 Launch 'Tentatively' Planned for Mid-September: Report

Amidst rumours about Apple planning separate launches for iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite this year, a new report claims that the company is 'tentatively' planning a keynote address in mid-September for the launch of iPhone 6 as iOS 8 is nearing completion.

The report, citing people briefed on the company's plans, notes that the September event could see the long-rumoured 4.7-inch iPhone 6 release, a model which is said to almost done with its testing and manufacturing development. The final decision about whether to debut the alleged 5.5-inch iPhone 6 model, rumoured to be called the iPhone Air, has yet to be taken.

An earlier report citing KGI Securities' analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that due to production issues the launch of the alleged larger iPhone 6 variant might be delayed to next year. Kuo added that if the phone was launched in October, it would likely be available in limited quantities.

9to5mac suggests that the event could happen in the second or third week of September; although a possible delay due to manufacturing uncertainties has not been ruled out. The sources suggest that the final decisions on the event plans are yet to be taken. Recently, Apple's next iPhone device launch was tipped to launch on September 19 - leaked by a promotional flyer from China.

According to sources, Apple is working hard to complete iOS 8 ahead of the iPhone launch, and it plans to release the fifth and final beta for testing on August 4. Further, the report suggests that Apple will finish work on the final beta next week, while a golden master of the iOS 8 could be expected to be over in late-August or early-September, which will offer plenty of time for both carrier testing and the installation of the new iOS onto iPhone 6, which is expected to be in production by that time.

The report also talks about a second Apple event being planned for October, where the company is expected to officially release the OS X Yosemite. The company has also plans to unveil new versions of iPads which are expected to have internal improvements and the much touted Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

Previously, an image surfaced online that purportedly showed the Apple's alleged iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3 models featuring an embedded circular home button; reminiscent to the one found on the iPhone 5s with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.