Aug 16, 2011 14:58 GMT  ·  By

Beginning August 22nd, wireless operator Telefonica will start scaling back its iPhone stock in order to prepare for a September 12 launch of  “a new smart phone.”

According to a source described by Engadget as vigilant, Telefonica will be going through this scaling back phase until September 12th when the three week program will conclude with the arrival of a new Apple phone.

The tipster’s exact words were: "…will of course prepare us for the launch of a new smart phone."

With summer’s only event capable of yielding an iPhone 5 announcement - WWDC - Apple now has the fall period to focus on unveiling its latest marvel.

While autumn has generally been reserved for iPod events and music-related announcements, this year will most likely break tradition.

This is for two reasons (at least):

1. Because iPod sales continue to decline, which means Apple will have fewer events that focus primarily on the players (and iTunes, implicitly);

2. Because Apple already has some kind of show scheduled to properly introduce iCloud, iOS 5, updated models of its more successful iPods (like the iPod touch) and last, but certainly not least, the iPhone 5 which cannot wait until 2012 to be launched if Apple wants to keep its distance from competition.

Rumors about the yet unconfirmed phone abound, with most reports saying the device will boast a four-inch screen (on the diagonal), higher density pixel cameras, a relocated LED flash, a narrower (almost inexistent) screen bezel, a tapered design (as opposed to the square-ish iPhone 4), and other elements.

Under the hood, Apple’s newt smartphone will almost surely pack the A5 dual core chip that’s currently found in the iPad 2.

Surveys have shown that many smartphone fans - some Apple device owners, others not - are eagerly anticipating the phone’s arrival.

According to one study, customers want Apple to keep the price reasonable, as well as to improve battery life.