Some rumors have suggested that Apple's next smartphone, presumably called the iPhone 6, will be released in May. New reports better coincide with Apple's typical release pattern, which point to a Fall 2014 release.

A big iPhone 6 rumor is that the phone will come with sapphire glass. The rumor started when CNBC reported that Apple made a $578 million deal with GT Advanced Technologies, which specializes in producing sapphire substrate.

This week, GT Advanced Technologies released a report about its earnings, which points to the iPhone 6 coming out this Fall.

"The company expects that 2014 will be a transformational year, one in which it builds a sapphire materials business while continuing to invest in the new technologies that will drive its equipment business in 2015 and beyond," the report says. "The company expects that revenue and profitability will be back end loaded, with its sapphire materials business ramping as the year progresses, and with improving financial performance during the second half of 2014."

A fall launch makes sense, as that would make the iPhone 6's release date one year after the release of its latest smartphones, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

In addition, GT Advanced Technologies confirmed that it is indeed working with Apple.

"Our arrangement to supply sapphire materials to Apple is progressing well and we started to build out the facility in Arizona and staff the operation during the quarter," Tom Gutierrez, GT Advanced Technologies president and chief executive officer, said. "We are pleased to have Apple as a sapphire customer and to be in a position to leverage our proprietary know-how to enable the supply of this versatile material ... our aim is to position GT not only as an exceptional sapphire supplier to Apple but also as an unparalleled world-class supplier of sapphire material and equipment to a variety of customers."

Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple acquired enough sapphire crystal furnaces to make between 100 million and 200 million 5-inch iPhone screens.

Rumors from Business Insider say that the iPhone 6 will also feature quantum dots, or nanocrystals that help enhance the appearance and color of super tiny graphics.

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