The Apple logo is pictured at a retail store in the Marina neighborhood in San Francisco, California
IN PHOTO: The Apple logo is pictured at a retail store in the Marina neighborhood in San Francisco, California April 23, 2014. REUTERS

Apple is set to unpack three different smartphone models in time for the iPhone 7 release date in the second half of 2015, that is if the latest round of rumours are to be believed.

Main variants

The latest speculation that came from Taiwan indicated that as expected, Apple will refresh the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus next year with handsets that practically mirror the built, specs and features of the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iOS 8-powered smartphones.

According to Focus Taiwan, these devices will be part of the "S phase" release that Apple is known for, meaning the official name will be the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6S Plus.

However, the possibility that the tech giant will jump outright to the iPhone 7 label for the iPhone 6 sequel remains.

The report also highlighted the likelihood that Apple will shift the bulk of the next iPhone's manufacturing duties from Foxconn to Pegatron.

"For the next product cycle ... we believe for the first time in the iPhone history, Pegatron will become the main source for assembly, with more than 50 percent of the 4.7-inch allocation," the Asian news site claimed.

"There is also a small possibility that Pegatron will win the 5.5-inch model as well," the publication added.

Focus Taiwan did not mention the reason behind Apple's flourishing business relationship with Pegatron, which the iPhone maker first contracted for a portion of the assembly contracts when the iPhone 4S was released in 2012.

Securing more than 50 per cent of the next iPhone manufacturing contract is a huge jump for Pegatron following reports that as estimated 30 per cent of the total iPhone 6 units to come out this year are traced from the Taiwanese supplier.

New iPhone model optimised for one-hand use

In a related development, G4Games picked up a wild rumour originating from China that pointed to the possibility of a third iPhone 7 model that is specifically designed for one-hand use, hence the 4-inch screen profile.

It was unclear if the planned device is merely a reconfigured iPhone 5S, which has a 4-inch display panel, or Apple will build it from scratch. It is safe to assume though that the rumoured iPhone 7 variant is geared for mass market release - serving as the company's budget phone offering.

The claim somehow aligns with the recent reports that Apple is sending the iPhone 5C to retirement soon.

As mentioned, Apple's release date plans for next year will mostly follow the rollout template that has been established in the past year, positioning the iPhone 7 to come out as early as September of 2015.