Rumors about the release date of the latest version of Apple's iPhone intensified after an official of one of Apple's suppliers said shipments of displays for the iPhone 5 may start this month.

Tech site T3.com cited a Reuters report where Sharp president Takashi Okuda said shipments of the displays "will start in August."

But Okuda, who made the statement during his company’s quarterly earnings call in Tokyo, would not give a specific date on when it will land.

T3 said Okuda's comments added fuel to speculation that Apple is preparing to launch the highly anticipated iPhone 5 in September.

It is believed Sharp is one of the makers of the displays for the upcoming iPhone, the others being LG Display Co. Ltd. and Japan Display Inc.

"The phone will reportedly be announced on September 12, alongside the rumored iPad Mini, and subsequently released on September 21. It means both devices will land in time for the pre-Christmas rush," T3 said.

T3 also said the upcoming new iPhone may sport a 4-inch screen, a sleek metal back and a 19-pin connector, and may be slimmer and longer.

It quoted iLounge editor Jeremy Horwitz as saying the new iPhone "will indeed be longer and thinner than the iPhone 4 and 4S.” — LBG, GMA News