iPhone 6 launch date pencilled in for 9 September

Apple will debut its larger-screen iPhones at an event on 9 September, as the firm gears up for its yearly refresh.

Cupertino is expected to launch two devices at the event - a 4.7in device and 5.5in model, according to Recode.

Previous reports mooted 19 September as the possible launch date for the latest range of iPhones. However, this could still be the date the devices start shipping.

Apple is said to have put in an initial order of 70 - 80 million units, the largest it has commissioned for a new mobile product. This is because it expects demand for the larger screen devices to be high.

Until now Apple has offered the iPhone in 3.5in and 4in sizes, whilst competitors - including Samsung, LG and Sony - have had success with 5in+ models.

Little is known about the exact specifications of the device or the name. However, this hasn't stopped the rumour mill from speculating.

Industry watchers believe Apple will be debuting a sapphire crystal display in place of glass, that it will offer users up to 128GB of storage and could even include NFC payment capabilities in conjunction with Visa.

Apple could move away from the number strategy as it has done with the latest generation iPad. Despite everyone calling the forthcoming smartphones the iPhone 6, the handsets could depart from this naming convention to help differentiate them and break up the monotony.

Despite smartphone sales slowing down, Apple managed to shift 35.2 million iPhones - up 12 per cent year-on-year.