Apple to launch two 3G iPhone models on 9th June?

Well, here’s a rumour that’s too intriguing not to pass on: Apple could launch not one but two 3G iPhone models at its Worldwide Developers Conference ( WWDC) next week.

So, what’s the prompt for this latest bit of gossip? Well, it’s the picture (left) of two touchscreen membranes, served up by Apple news site iLounge.com. According to iLounge’s well-illustrated story (follow the link after the jump for more images), this picture shows a pair of “projected capacitance touch panels”, developed by a manufacturing outfit called Host Optical. These, the company claims, are destined for an “upcoming iPhone”.

Editor-in-chief at iLounge, Jeremy Horowitz, cautiously notes that Apple rarely confirms its component suppliers and, similarly, Apple’s component suppliers rarely confirm that they’re contracted to supply Apple. So, it could all be hot air.

But if it is true, then it seems there are two new iPhones on the way – a 3.2in version and one with a smaller 2.8in display (which iLounge suggests could be for an “iPhone nano/mini”.

Of course, the existing (first generation) iPhone has a 3.5in screen, which is perhaps another reason to doubt the veracity of Host Optical’s claims. Would Apple really forgo the larger screen?

There’s much more over at iLounge, so we suggest you head over there. You know where to click.

[via iLounge]