Now that WWDC 2011 has passed and was actually eventful even with the absence of iPhone 5, the interest in rumors has now switched back to the hardware. RedmondPie reports that Etisalat, a UAE Apple Carrier partner, has confirmed it’ll release this September!

“Ali Al Ahmad, Chief Corporate Communication Officer at the carrier, went as far as saying that there would be an iPhone 5 with LTE capabilities by the end of this year, as Etisalat rolls out 4G in more areas.”

Yes, we are in talks with most smartphone manufacturers including Apple on the rollout of the 4G handset, iPhone 5 later this year. As the first telecom organisation to roll out the 4G network, LTE, in the Middle East, we have already started talking to them for the handsets and chipsets in them.

A couple of previous sources have verified that a new iPhone will indeed launch this Fall and it is indeed believed that the date is closer to September.

WWDC keynote by Steve Jobs last week was brilliant because of iOS 5 and iCloud announcements primarily. For those still disappointed due to lack of hardware, it turns out you’re getting one this year after all. Thoughts?