Apple invites sent for US and Chinese launch events

Event invite suggests colours to play a part in launch of new iPhone model or models

Apple has revealed the date for the launch of its newest iPhone model as September 10th in an invite sent to members of the press.

An invitation, emblazoned with the message "This should brighten everyone's day" features Apple's logo, surrounded by circles in a variety of different colours. It suggests that the much-rumoured multi-coloured iPhones could very much be on the cards. Currently, iPhones come in either black or white.

The launch will take place at Apple's headquarters in California. Reports suggest Apple could launch two phones - the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C - both of which will run on iOS 7.

The iPhone 5S may include fingerprint-based security and a larger screen than the standard iPhone, which has lost ground in the smartphone race to mobiles with bigger screens, such as the Google Android-operated Samsung Galaxy S3. The latest market research suggests that Apple now only holds a 13 per cent share of the market, compared to Android's 80 per cent.

According to rumours, Apple is looking to claw its way to a bigger share of the market with a low-cost iPhone model, the iPhone 5C, made with a plastic case. The low-cost option could also mark Apple's first real attempt to woo the Chinese market.

The firm has invited Chinese journalists to a press event in Beijing on 11th September, just hours after the US launch of new iPhones.