It’s certainly not the first time we’re blogging about iPhone 6 rumors – and we’re willing to bet it won’t be the last, as the excitement builds toward the release of yet another brilliant smartphone from Apple. The difference with the latest iPhone 6 leaked photos is that they’ve managed to work their way into mainstream media. Join us as we provide a rundown of the (alleged) features on the upcoming phone, plus a brief history of how the rumor mill has been turning in this particular case.

You don’t need us to tell us that Apple and the iPhone are love marks. That’s why you’re here in the first place, right? As such, it should come as no surprise that the latest leaked drawings of the iPhone 6, which Macotakara managed to dig up, have materialized into product concept renderings. They’re the work of designer Martin Hajek – and, in case you need references, they’ve also been featured in prestigious tech and trend digital mag Fast Company. What this feature should tell you is that, not only are they well made, but they are also rather believable. And what do they tell us about the upcoming phone? Well, basically, as Fast Company aptly put it: “it’s an iPod Touch with antennas”. Check out the drawings below.

What about the features of the new phone? These iPhone 6 leaked photos indicate a major redesign and also seem to promise that what fans of the smartphone have been secretly wishing for is about to come true. Judging by these pictures, the iPhone 6 is going to be:

–          Obviously thinner;

–          Equipped with a much larger display;

–          Round around the edges, just like an iPad mini.

iPhone experts online are lending quite a lot of credibility to these images and they also predict that, should the phone that comes out look this, it’s going to create a clear gap between iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 owners. By and large, the pictures indicate, the upcoming smartphone from Apple is clearly taking the company into the phablet direction, which some love – while others abhor it.

The iPhone 6 rumor mill: To the Wall Street Journal and beyond

Obviously, no one can tell just what Apple has got up its sleeve this time, but the interesting fact is that the rumor mill for the iPhone 6 includes some prestigious names in international journalism, such as The Wall Street Journal and press agency Reuters. For starters, back in January the WSJ reported that the company is working on not one, but two different smartphones, which are going to replace the current lineup. According to the same source, both phones are going to sport noticeably larger screens, measuring 4.5 inches and 5 inches respectively.

Then came Reuters in spring, to report that the story in the WSJ is true – with one significant difference: the screen sizes are going to stand at 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches respectively. The press agency also reported that Apple will begin mass production for these ampler displays in May, while the phone launches in fall. One issue with a larger, thinner phone such as the one pictured above is how it’s going to be able to incorporate the in-cell touch panel technology that Apple uses – while also coming out with a thinner phone. This remains to be seen. Of course, the Reuters report is no sure-fire guarantee, as there have been fake leaks and rumors before. However, as many have noted, in recent times, Apple Internet pundits have become very astute at spotting fakes and at accurately approximating the design and features of finished products.