iPhone 6 Release Rumors Swirl as Carriers Build Inventory

While the iPhone 6 has yet to actually be officially announced, plenty of rumors suggest that Apple will reveal the new device on September 9, which is the day that Apple has officially set aside to announce some new products, and it seems that carrier stores are preparing ahead of time.

Reddit user neverfading09 happens to work at an AT&T carrier store and posted an image of the iPhone 6 showing up in the store’s inventory. While it’s rumored that both an 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch model will be announced, the photo here only shows the 4.7-inch variant.

If you’re wondering what the different fruit names correspond to, you’re probably as confused as we are, especially since the AT&T employee said that he was working on a screen protector order when he saw this on his display. It’s possible that the list in the photo could be different cases that come in different colors, and the fruits are referring to the different colors that the cases will come in, but that’s something that ultimately remains a mystery.

However, one commenter says that the colors listed are the color options that came with the iMac back when the computer came in different colors. Does this mean the iPhone 6 will come in different color options just like the iPhone 5c? Never say never, but the chances of that happening are extremely low. Plus, another commenter chimed in later and said that the colors listed in the photo refer to Skech Ice cases that are available online.

Other than that, the context of the image is rather scarce, but it at least tells us that the iPhone 6 exists and carriers are (or already have been) preparing for the launch of the new device and are ordering and receiving iPhone 6 inventory.

Unfortunately, we were hoping the image would show us the color options and storage sizes for the iPhone 6, considering that it’s rumored that a 128GB iPhone 6 could be in the works.

iPhone users have been wanting a 128GB version for quite a while, ever since Apple first introduced the fourth-generation iPad with 128GB. However, most likely due to obvious size constraints, 128GB of storage in an iPhone hasn’t been possible.

With the iPhone 6 rumored to be larger in size thanks to bigger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screens, it may now be possible for an iPhone to come equipped with 128GB of storage. However, a past rumor suggests that the 128GB version may only come to the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 in order to convince more users to spend a bit more cash and get the bigger screen.

Plus, it’s said that the 128GB exclusive on the 5.5-inch model would help differentiate the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models even more, considering that the only difference that we’ve seen so far between the two devices is screen size.

If this turns out to be true, the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will get the lauded 128GB of storage, while the 4.7-inch model could still be stuck at a 64GB maximum.

It would certainly make sense for Apple to get rid of the 16GB option for the iPad and just go with 32GB, 64GB and 128GB, but we think the iPhone is a device that still needs a 16GB option in order for the company to offer an inexpensive subsidized device for budget-minded consumers.

Essentially, a 128GB iPhone 6 would be the end-all model for many users, officially making extra storage accessories obsolete. Of course, the price of a 128GB iPhone 6 will be something that many users will take into account, as it certainly won’t be cheap by any means, but if users need that kind of storage, the extra price will most likely be worth it.

In any case, Apple will most likely announce the iPhone 6 during its September 9 event, with a public launch rumored for September 19.

The new device will see a complete design overhaul, ditching the squared-off edges for a more rounded design that’s much similar to the iPad Air and iPad mini, making the entire iOS device lineup uniform as far as design is concerned.