Will Apple unveil iPhone 5 on September 21?

Apple fans might want to save the date, with the long-awaited Apple iPhone 5 rumored to be going on sale on Friday, September 21.

According to www.uswitch.com, the reports of the unveiling of the new gadget came from a French iFansite App4iPhone. It reported that an unnamed accessory manufacturer claimed to have been given the date directly from Apple.

The source is said to be “close to Apple” and specializes in the manufacture of accessories at one of Hong Kong’s largest factories. So far, leaks from within Apple have suggested an October launch.

The new handset, which has been unofficially dubbed iPhone 5, is expected to have several new design features.

A number of news reports have speculated that it will include a larger, four-inch display, and a slimmer and taller design. Another feature will be an improved eight-megapixel camera.

Reuters reported that Apple has opted to shrink the port size to make space for moving the audio jack to the bottom of the handset. Reuters has previously reported that the iPhone 5 is expected to go on sale “around October”.

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that iPhone 5 will have a slimmer screen than the current 4S model, made possible by the use of in-cell technology. This could help in reducing the weight of iPhone 5. 

While most are referring to the next-generation smartphone as the “iPhone 5”, Apple might not call it that, say experts.

Pegatron – one of Apple's normal suppliers – has begun production of the new phone already, according to a report in DigiTimes. Apple has not commented on any of rumors and, as usual, is keeping details of its next-generation smartphone a secret.