Is this a working iPhone 6?
Apple's big iPhone 6 event is almost upon us, but a new leak could've spoiled what surprise is remaining, seemingly showing not only a functional handset but perhaps confirming mobile payments support too. The phone, shared in photos by Weibo user zzray with cnBeta, is compared with an iPhone 5s to show the increased screen size, while a new Passbook icon apparently gives the nod to Apple's plans for cashless payments.
The updated Passbook icon is more complex than the current one, with a fourth stripe that now has icons for a movie camera, airplane, and – most interestingly – a credit card. It's that latter icon which has prompted chatter, given recent rumors that Apple will also announce its "iPhone Wallet" service on September 9th.
According to sources, that will see payment providers Visa, MasterCard, and American Express brought onboard, while retailers such as pharmacy heavyweights CVS and Walgreens are also believed to be cooperating.
Exactly how the system will work is still something of a mystery, though there have been several suggestions that, in a first for iPhone, the iPhone 6 will integrate NFC for mobile payments.
As for this particular leaked phone, according to the "About" page it's a 64GB model and running iOS 8.0 build 12A365. It looks to be the 4.7-inch version; rumor has it that Apple will also reveal an even larger, 5.5-inch iPhone 6.
It's not the first time we've seen supposed iPhone 6 handsets, but this particular example is certainly one of the more convincing. The construction quality looks to be higher than in previous leaks, with smoother detailing around the buttons and the antenna strips, among other things.
A short video of the handset in action also lends weight to its authenticity.
Real or otherwise, there's not long to wait to find out. Apple's event kicks off at 10AM Pacific on Tuesday, September 9th, and SlashGear will be there to bring back all the news.
As well as the mobile payments platform and the iPhone 6, the same event is also believed to see the "iWatch" wearable revealed, though more recent whispers have indicated the much-anticipated gadget won't actually go on sale until sometime in the new year.
VIA MacRumors
