iPhone 6 Release Date

Yes, the iPhone 5 release date is not even set in stone and rumors are already starting to surface surrounding the iPhone 6 release date.

It seems like iPhone 6 rumors and discussions surrounding a release date would be premature and borderline absurd, but it's really not when you consider that there's a good chance that the iPhone 5 launch is not going to happen on what has become the typical Apple June / July iPhone product cycle release.

Some of the 2011 iPhone launch delay speculation is based on purported hardware supply delays, but there's some bigger factors happening behind the scenes that I believe offer a better explanation of what may be going on here and the direction that Apple is moving in when it comes to future iPhone releases.

Much of the early and more credible iPhone 6 release date rumors are based on a recent MacRumors report highlighting information that they picked up from a Concord Securities analyst named Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo noted that the iPhone 6 release date will happen in the first half of 2012 and will bring with it a fully redesigned form factor.

"Kuo claims that the sixth-generation iPhone will be the model to carry a substantial redesign and could launch in the first half of 2012, even with a later-than-usual introduction of 2011's iPhone model."

The "later-than-usual introduction of 2011's iPhone model" is an interesting comment as it further supports the circulating iPhone 5 release date rumors and would go hand in hand with what I believe is the driving force behind Apple shuffling both the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 release dates. Of course, this is not a novel idea or sentiments that I'm alone in sharing; it's clear why when you take into consideration how quickly mobile technology is evolving (both in terms of hardware and software advances).

With Google's Android powered smartphones nipping at their heals with increasingly more competitive offerings and a fast growing app store (Android Marketplace), Apple will be looking to remain competitive within the industry and is no doubt recognizing the changing mobile landscape. At this point, it's becoming very difficult, despite the quality of the iPhone product, for Apple to remain competitive with only one iPhone release every year.

In the meantime (and further supporting this theory), the current iPhone rumors also indicate that Apple is looking to release one iPhone, not different carrier specific iPhone models. Delaying the iPhone 5 release date will enable them to do this by incorporating the required radio chip(s) into one iPhone and will also buy them time to release the new iPhone 5 running their future IOS 5.

"Specifically, Kuo has heard that the iPhone 5 will include the faster A5 processor already found in the iPad 2, as well as a higher resolution 8 megapixel rear camera. He has also been told that Apple will switch to a Qualcomm baseband for both GSM and CDMA models, along with an improved antenna design.

Kuo has also been told that the new iPhone will go into trial production in August and mass production in September, allowing Apple to reach shipment volumes of between 28 million and 32 million units this year. That would align with previous reports that have indicated Apple plans to make its new iPhone available for sale later than usual this year, likely in Apple's next fiscal year beginning in October."

Again, if we're to read between the lines on these iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 rumors, it's clear that a fall iPhone 5 release date would give Apple time to put the finishing touches on their IOS 5, implement needed hardware improvements for performance enhancements, consolidate and incorporate a wireless radio chip(s) that covers the various wireless carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and whomever may be next), and then lay the groundwork to remain competitive within the industry by moving to a new iPhone launch schedule with two iPhone releases spread evenly throughout the year (iPhone 5 launch in the fall of 2011 and an iPhone 6 launch in the spring of 2012)!

Whether you're an Apple iPhone fan or not, you have to appreciate their ability to generate buzz on new iPhone products that are arguably 6 - 12 months away from being launched. Other's may say that the blogosphere is making much ado over nothing, but that couldn't happen if there wasn't a captive audience constantly searching for the next iPhone rumor.

I'll take some of the blame for propagating the iPhone madness, but if you've read this far, I'm blaming you, too!!!