iPhone 6 release date, features and spec rumours – all we know so far

Apple could start manufacturing displays for the ‘big screen’ iPhone 6 as early as next month, supply chain sources have revealed.

The exact release date is unclear, however speculation is that it will be available to buy in the UK in September 2014. 

Rumours surrounding the tech giant’s next generation smartphone claim the new iPhone will come in two screen sizes - both of which will be bigger than the iPhone 5s.

Aswell as a bigger 'Phablet-style' panel,new technology will give the iPhone 6 a much thinner 'Air' handset.

Suppliers Japan Display Inc, South Korea’s LG Display Co Ltd and Sharp Corp have all been approached to make the new screen, according to reports.

While Apple always official information tightly guarded until just before launch, it is thought first iPhone 6 models will feature a 4.7-inch screen for their autumn release.

A later version will have a 5.5-inch screen - considerably larger than that of the latest iPhone, which measures just under 4 inches.

The larger screens would mark a move by Apple to match tech rivals like Samsung and HTC.

Both the new iPhone models are expected to include in-cell touch panel technology, allowing for a thinner handset.

However, difficulties with the technology in larger displays prompted a decision to delay production of the 5.5-inch versions, the sources said.

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Japan Display will reportedly be the first supplier to start production at its plant at Mobara, east of Tokyo, as early as May.

The others are due to begin output around June.