iPhone 6 Makes Appearance in Unlikely Forum Ahead of Release Date

**Editor’s Note: Click here for our list of July’s hottest selling smartphones to see how Apple’s iPhone fared against the competition.**

Channel partners who can’t wait to get their hands on the newest version of Apple’s iconic smartphone are getting their first look at the device – maybe.

Celebrity gossip site TMZ – no, not a tech site – published a photo of what is says is the iPhone 6 just a little more than three weeks before its anticipated unveiling during an Apple media event.

How did they supposedly get it? Long story: Apparently the phone’s owner is an ex-employee of Foxconn – the device’s Asia-based manufacturer – who was partly responsible for designing the casing for the new handset.

Not a lot of detail about the phone beyond that, other than it looks to have a new sensor on the front and is lighter than previous models.  

Many analysts expect Apple will unveil two versions of the iPhone 6 next month – a 4.7-inch model and another that measures 5.5 inches. We anticipate a release date of Sept. 19.

Follow senior online managing editor @Craig_Galbraith on Twitter.