With the iPhone 6's release supposedly looming in Sept., a newly reported setback with the 5.5-inch model could mean a separate launch date.

According to AppleInsider.com, Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with KGI Securities, has learned the "phablet" iPhone 6 may have to be launched in early 2015. A seasoned analyst in regards to Apple's upcoming releases, Kuo said the company is having difficulties with both models, but they are more complicated for the larger one.

In a note shared with Apple Insider, Kuo said the company is experiencing "bottleneck" issues with both the 4.7- and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models. The production issues are not expected to affect the Sept. release of the smaller version, but could push the larger one's launch into early 2015.

"These problems will likely be even more complicated with a larger size," Kuo said.

Specifically, Apple is having trouble producing the 5.5-inch iPhone 6's screen. With the large display size increase, Apple is finding it harder to evenly distribute the touch screen sensitivity, which is supposedly uneven toward the display's edges.

Kuo also said Apple is not easily applying the ultra-tough sapphire crystal to the 5.5-inch handset and he does not believe it will "easily pass the drop test near term."

Tech blogger Marques Brownlee recently posted a video to YouTube in which he is showing off the sapphire crystal screen's toughness. He apparently obtained a dummy model of the screen that will be on Apple's next handset. One certain expert told the Guardian that he expects Apple to use sapphire crystal for the screens of the upcoming iPhone 6.

Kuo's note also supports this theory, but he noted it will likely add to the delaying of the 5.5-inch handset's release. He said Apple could choose to release the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 on its own in Sept., allowing the company to lower the prices of its 5S and 5C models in time for holiday shopping. He said this way a late release of the "phablet" iPhone 6 would not affect the company's bottom line all too much.

Even if Apple is able to release the larger iPhone in 2014, Kuo noted, it would not be until mid-Nov.

Related