Jun 22, 2011 08:56 GMT  ·  By

It has become widely accepted that September will see Apple introduce something called the iPhone 4S, an incremental upgrade over the current version of the iPhone. Many, however, disagree.

In fact, two prominent sources indicate there is no such incremental upgrade, but a full-fledged iPhone 5 that Apple plans to introduce later this year.

And it’s not during the fall period, but towards the end of summer, according to a BGR source.

The blog, generally accurate in dishing out Apple rumors, claims to have independently confirmed that the next-generation iPhone will not be a mere upgrade of the iPhone 4, as previously rumored.

Instead, a reliable source has said to expect a radical new case design for the upcoming iPhone which should also pack the A5 processor, an 8 megapixel camera, and other enhancements that should make it more than worthy of the 5.0 moniker.

The blog specifically notes that while the consensus is Apple announcing the next-generation iPhone at a September event, they’ve heard there’s a fair chance Apple will break tradition.

Apple is thus expected to hold an event in the beginning or middle of August, with availability of the new phone scheduled for the last week of that month.

And while BGR cannot confirm the exact design alterations, thisismynext claims it can.

Their sources say the new iPhone looks “more like the iPod touch than the iPhone 4.”

The handset is reportedly thinner than the iPhone 4, and may have a “teardrop” shape which tapers from top to bottom, as shown in the concept image above (click to enlarge).

This rendering would suggest the iPhone 5 borrows key elements from the thin iPod touch 4G, the iPad 2, and even the MacBook Air.

Apple is notorious for giving all its products a similar look and feel, even though each one is essentially different in functionality.