Apple Inc is expected to unveil its next-generation iPhone in September. As usual, rumors have gone viral as unsubstantiated stories constantly swirl around the Internet.

According to data released by Canalys, a mobile market research firm, one in three smartphones shipped in China was from Xiaomi Inc or Huawei Technologies Co Ltd in the second quarter. Apple came in third, followed by Samsung and Vivo.

During the same period, shares of the California kingpin fell 2.36 percent to a six-month low. The stock also fell below its 200-day moving average for the first time since September 2013.

UBS analyst Steven Milunovich said in a note that the "key investment debate is whether iPhone shipments can grow in fiscal 2016".

Here we feature some of the hot topics to have been discussed online:

Release date

A member of staff at a China Mobile shop explains a function of the iPhone 5s in Beijing January 17, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

"The new iPhone will go on sale via telecom carrier Vodafone on September 25," said UK-based tech website Mobile News, citing a leaked internal e-mail sent from Vodafone.

According to the e-mail, the operator outlined pre-launch information, including that they will begin taking pre-orders from September 18.