Apple iPhone 6 Availability Delayed in India

Apple has been going back-and-forth on the India launch date of the iPhone 6. On September 9, the day of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 launch, the company had announced on its website that the iPhone 6 would be available in India on September 26 (screenshot). Some time later, that date was changed to October 17 on the Apple India website. On Thursday, NDTV Gadgets spotted that the iPhone 6 launch date has been removed from the website.

However, those who were hoping to buy the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus on launch day need not be disappointed. Apple is not known for communicating the date of availability of new products well in advance in India. We think this move signals a return to the pattern observed in previous years, when Apple would make no announcements regarding the availability of new iPhone devices in India.

The fact that Apple mentioned the launch date on India website was an aberration, the new iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus are still likely to launch on October 17. During the keynote announcing the launch of new iPhone devices and the Apple Watch, the company made no mention of when the new smartphones will make an appearance in India.

The company had instead announced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK beginning on Friday, September 19, and customers can pre-order both models beginning on Friday, September 12.

NDTV Gadgets had reported that initially there was confusion over Apple announcing the India launch date of the iPhone 6 on its website. It was thought that the information was an error on the part of Apple, but later when the date was changed to October 17, it became apparent that the announcement was not an oversight.

We have asked Apple for official confirmation of the India launch date, but the company hasn't yet given us any confirmation of the launch date.

iPhone 6 Model Leaked Images

Apple's long-rumoured 4.7-inch iPhone 6 model has been leaked in a couple of fresh images, ahead of the company's expected launch of the device at its September 9 event next week.

The first of the leaked images purportedly shows the iPhone 6's 4.7-inch model with its screen turned on and displaying the iOS 8 lock screen. The other leaked image shows the rear of the handset with camera and LED flash sitting on top of the left edge panel. The leaked image also tips the presence of a protruding camera ring on the model, which goes in-line with some recent leaks.

Reports have been tipping that the protruding camera rings spotted on the iPhone 6 models appear similar to the one seen on fifth-generation iPod touch, although it remains unclear what specific purpose the rings will serve on Apple's upcoming smartphone. The new leaked iPhone 6 images have been obtained by GSM Arena.

(Also see: iPhone 6 Mobile Wallet Will Let You Pay for Physical Goods: Report)

The new leaked images of the alleged iPhone 6 4.7-inch model further corroborate what's has been widely expected based on earlier leaks, that the next iPhone will come with curved edges and will be a major departure from the company's current industrial design on existing iPhone models. However, until officially revealed, it remains uncertain if Apple do away with its current straight-edge design seen on the iPhone 4, iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s.

(Also see: iPhone 6 Purportedly Disassembled on Video; New Lightning Cable Unlikely This Year)

The next iPhone has for a while been rumoured to arrive in two display size variants - 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch - that both feature the iPod touch-inspired design; the Touch ID fingerprint sensor; the new Apple A8 SoC, and the long-awaited NFC connectivity. The new iPhone is also said to cost less than the previous generation, as well as feature higher resolution displays and bigger storage variants (up to 128GB). Of course, the iPhone 6 should ship with iOS 8.

Reports have been tipping that Apple's next iPhone would hit shelves on September 19, the traditional 10 days after the unveiling of the smartphone.