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The leaf on the Apple symbol is tinted green at the Apple flagship store on 5th Ave in New YorkREUTERS

Apple Inc. is likely to charge more for the big screen variant of iPhone 6, which is expected to be released a few months after the 4.7-inch model hits the stores, claims a new report.

A research note by Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt has revealed that gadget lovers are willing to pay more for a big screen device, contradicting earlier reports that price of iPhone 6 might drive potential buyers away.

"Apple will likely charge a $100 premium for the 5.5 inch version that media reports have suggested will be available a few months after the 4.7 inch version," McCourt said in the research note accessed by WSJ's MarketWatch

"Our June consumer survey points to continued growth in the willingness of iPhone users to pay $100 more for a bigger screened iPhone, with now a full one-third of survey respondents willing to pay a $100 premium," he added.

Raymond James has also raised its target from $86 to $102, anticipating shares of Apple Inc. to shoot up ahead of iPhone 6 release.

Meanwhile, the hype around iPhone 6 has gained momentum over the last few weeks with several mockup pictures of the purported device hitting the net.

Apple tipster Sonny Dickson has been bombarding gadget lovers with the supposed images of iPhone 6 on his Twitter page. Taiwanese pop star Jimmy Lin had also posted the alleged pictures of the device on his Weibo page, sparking off speculations that its launch might be not far off.

Apple Inc. is keeping mum on the release date of iPhone 6 but several reports suggested that the 5.7-inch model may see the light of the day either in August or September, while the 5.5-inch model would be unveiled a few months later.

German website ApfelPage has reported that leaked internal documents of German wireless carrier Deutsche Telekom have hinted that the iPhone 6 would be unveiled on 19 September. Nikkei had also reported that the device would be launched as early as September, while a research note by UBS Managing Director Steve Milunovich (via Barron's) claimed that it would be unveiled either in August or September. 

It may be recalled that Reuters had earlier reported, citing Taiwan's Economic Daily News, that the 4.7-inch model would be released in August, while the 5.5-inch variant would arrive in September. 

The Cupertino giant is reportedly bringing out two models of iPhone 6 with scratch-free sapphire crystal glass screen and an 8MP camera with several upgrades including flash and Optical Image Stabilisation. The devices are expected to be powered by a 20-nanometer A8 chip (64-bit) and run on the recently released iOS 8.

The device may feature low temperature polysilicon in-cell touch panels, Touch ID fingerprint security, NFC and metal casing, accordint to a report by Apple Insider reported that cited analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Chinese analyst Sun Chang Xu also claimed that the device may feature sensors that can detect pressure, temperature and humidity.

According to South Korean brokerage KDB Daewoo Securities, the smaller variant of iPhone 6 may come with a 1920x1080p (440ppi) resolution, while the larger device may feature a 2272×1280 (510ppi) resolution.