Apple on Tuesday invited reporters to a news conference on September 12 in San Francisco with a message that suggests that it will reveal the iPhone 5.

The email invitation shows a big "12," for Sept. 12, casting a shadow in the shape of a "5."





The next iPhone is expected to have a taller screen, the ability to access 4G wireless data networks in the U.S., a better camera, faster processors and a smaller dock connector.

The new screen could measure 4 inches from corner to corner, an increase from the 3.5-inch display that has been held constant since the smartphone began selling in 2007.

The larger screen may be a response to rival Samsung;'s Galaxy S 3 flagship smartphone.

Speculation had also arisen in past months that the company might offer details about a smaller version of its iPad, but the emailed invitation offered no hint of that on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Nokia and Motorola are also holding events of their own in New York, apparently to reveal their latest products ahead of the iPhone launch.

HTC also on Tuesday sent out invitations for a press event in New York City on September 19th, one week after Apple's iPhone 5 unveiling on September 12th. The Taiwanese manufacturer is expected announce a variety smartphones - which have been code-named the Rio, Accord, and Zenith - based on Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 operating system.

According to rumors, the Accord will be equipped with a 4.3-inch 720p HD display, a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor and an 8-megapixel rear camera, while the high-end Zenith is said to feature a large 4.7-inch Super LCD 2 display and a quad-core Snapdragon processor.