Apple goes back to Mac venue for launch of iPhone 6

APPLE will announce the much-awaited iPhone 6 at the same venue where Steve Jobs unveiled the first Mac 30 years ago.

Late Apple founder Steve Jobs with an earlier model of the iPhone.

APPLE will evoke the spirit of Steve Jobs when it announces the much-awaited iPhone 6 at the same venue where the company’s late founder unveiled the first Mac 30 years ago.

Amid the barrage of Android smartphone launches, Apple has been under pressure to launch upgraded and new consumer technology. It has not announced a new iPhone for a year.

Two larger iPhone 6 models are widely anticipated: one with a 4.7-inch screen that rivals larger Android handsets and one almost a small tablet (phablet) with a 5.5-inch display. The current iPhone 5S has a 4.0-inch screen.

Apple is also expected to launch or at least flag its new smartwatch, dubbed the iWatch, but there is no indication whether it will sell in stores this year or next. Apple has recently experienced production supply issues. One is the apparent scarcity of tough new sapphire displays for some phone models. How this ­affects availability remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Android manufacturers will release an avalanche of phones, tablets, smartwatches and high-definition TVs at the IFA 2014 trade event in Berlin beginning next Friday. Korean manufacturer Samsung has an “unpacked” event preceding it on Wednesday where it should unveil its fourth-generation Galaxy Note smartphone. It’s believed Samsung will unveil two versions of the Note 4, one with a curved screen.

Sony is tipped to announce the third version of its waterproof Xperia smartphone, and a new smartwatch, while LG is expected to refresh its LG Flex curved phone.