Apple to skip iPhone 5S and release iPhone 6 this year?

Rumours suggest that Apple might drop its iPhone 5 design completely and launch a fully-redesigned iPhone later this year.

PCR reports that app developers have noticed references to iPhone6,1” in their dev logs, as well as references to iOS 7. This is the same pattern that appeared before the announcement of the iPhone 5.

Whilst the data can be faked, previous instances would suggest the data is legitimate since the location information and identifier are identical to that of previous iPhone prototypes, all of which were tested in Cupertino, California, the location of Apple’s HQ,” the site reads.

Apple is also expected to reveal a significant revamp of its smartphone software, with former hardware chief Jonny Ives in charge of its production. Previous iOS updates have been largely incremental.

The likely outcome is a reveal for the new iOS during the summer’s WWDC event and a subsequent iPhone 6 unveiling in the early autumn.

If true then the move has probably been prompted by the success of Samsung’s Galaxy S3, which betters iPhone 5’s hardware specs in almost every respect. Also enjoying strong sales is Samsung’s Galaxy Note II. In other words, expect iPhone 6 to have a far bigger screen!