iPhone 6 release date: New Apple smartphone set for September 9 launch

Apple is expected to release two new smartphones this year with larger screens

Apple fans are being advised to mark September 9 in their calendars as the likely release date for the new iPhone 6.

The Californian smartphone maker is widely expected to launch two new iPhones this year – one with a 4.7-inch screen and a second with a 5.5-inch display.

The new date of September 9 fits with iPhone launches over the last two years. These have previously been held on September 10 (for the iPhone 5s and 5c) and September 12 (for the iPhone 5).

This release date, mentioned by trusted tech journalist and long-time Apple observer John Paczkowski, would mean that the new iPhone could be in stores as quickly as September 19.

The iPhone 6 is expected to have a display made from a sapphire-glass mix that is much tougher than previous models and will be powered by a new, speedier A8 processor.

However, there's also been a lot of speculation about the release of the long-rumoured Apple smartwatch.

Reports earlier this year have suggested that the device could come in "multiple screen sizes" and offer users "more than 10 sensors" to monitor their health.