Most reports have claimed that Apple will be releasing the iPhone 5 sometime this September, but this morning a new rumor has pegged the new handset's arrival for even later into the year. According to "a source familiar with Apple's plans" speaking with All Things D, Apple is actually planning to launch the iPhone 5 in October. That source didn't elaborate any further, although other sources claim that the release will happen later in the month. What about those rumored AT&T employee blackout dates, you ask? All Things D's source isn't sure what the vacation block is for, "but it's not for an iPhone launch," the person said.

There's no mention in the All Things D report on whether or not Apple will still be unveiling the iPhone 5 at an event in September, but it's certainly still a possibility. Last year Apple revealed that iPhone 4 in early June but didn't actually release it until later in the month, so it wouldn't be a total shock to see the Cupertino-based firm unveil the new iPhone in September and then launch it a few weeks later in October. Such a move would be a bit of a bummer for those of us that have been anticipating the iPhone 5, but after 14 or 15 months of waiting since the last iPhone launch, what's a few more weeks, right?

Via All Things D