Almost Confirmed: Apple's Next Smartphone Will Be Named the ''iPhone 5''

Apple has sent out invitations to an event a week from today. While these don't explicitly state that the company is going to be unveiling a new smartphone, they drop a very unsubtle hint.

The event will be on Sept. 12, and the graphic in the invite is a large "12" casting a shadow over a "5" (see image at right). While this isn't confirmation that the company is taking the wraps off the iPhone 5 next week, it's pretty close - especially as rumors, leaks, and speculation have pointed to Apple doing exactly that for months.

What the Rumors Say

According to a plethora of unconfirmed reports, Apple's next smartphone will be its first with a 4.0-inch display. This touchscreen will supposedly use in-cell technology, and have a resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels. The large screen will apparently make the device slightly bigger.

The next iPhone is reportedly going to be Apple's first with 4G LTE, and it's going to launch with iOS 6. The rear-facing camera may also be upgraded from 8 MP to 12 MP.

The unveiling is scheduled for Sept. 12, and the launch is expected a few days later, on Sept. 21. The iPhone 5 will likely be offered by AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile.