iPhone 6 to go into production 'this month'

Apple's next-generation iPhone is tipped to go into production later this month, ahead of an expected commercial launch in the autumn.

Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd will begin mass production of a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 in the third week of July, according to reports in the local press.

Production of a the widely-rumoured 5.5-inch version will begin during the second week of August, Taiwan's Economic Daily News reported.

Meanwhile, a China state-run news service reports that Hon Hai is planning to hire 100,000 workers at its mainland facilities to meet future demand for the iPhone, citing comments by the chief of the Henan Provincial Commerce Department.

Fellow Taiwanese contract manufacturer Pegatron Corp this month also began recruitment of over 10,000 workers for its mainland facilities to manufacture the phone, according to the Economic Daily News report.

The iPhone 6 will be Apple's ninth iPhone model, and will take over from the 5s as the company's flagship smartphone.

The new device is expected to come in two sizes – 4.7-inch and 5.5-inches – bringing it into line with larger-screened Android devices from the likes of Samsung, Sony and HTC.

Both iPhone 6 screens are expected to use in-cell touch panel technology - built into the screen and allowing for thinner construction than with standard touch panel films – that was introduced with the iPhone 5.

They are also expected to be thinner and feature more curved edges than in the past.