Apple iPhone 6 to be unveiled in August, earlier than expected: Report

Apple Inc will unveil iPhone 6, the next incarnation of its popular series, in August, one month earlier than industry watchers were generally expecting.

Citing unidentified supply-chain sources, Economic Daily News reported on Friday that a 4.7-inch screen version of the iPhone 6 will reach stores in August, without specifying which markets would receive the phone first.

A 5.5-inch or 5.6-inch model will be released in September, the newspaper said, as the iPhone 5 series was previously.

Together, the Economic Daily News said, 80 million iPhone 6 handsets would be produced this year.

People involved in the supply chain had earlier confirmed to Reuters that there will be a 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6 and a 5.5-inch version.

Industry watchers have said increasing the iPhone's screen size from 4 inches would help Apple regain market share from competitors such as Samsung Electronics Co, who they say have responded to consumer desire for more screen size.

Representatives for Apple could not be reached for comment.

Representatives for Taiwanese iPhone contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co and smartphone camera lens maker Largan Precision Co, both mentioned in the Economic Daily News report, had no comment.

(Reuters)