This year's contingent of Apple releases is noticeably lacking the iPhone 6c, but folks who have been waiting for it can, apparently, expect it to arrive relatively soon.

Heading into 2015, most folks had the launch date of the iPhone 6c pegged for sometime around September, but when the month came and went without any word about the phone, some had expected it not to be released at all.

That is, apparently, not the case as the iPhone 6c is now being tabbed for an early 2016 release, possibly sometime around January or February, according to Pocket Lint.

The iPhone 6c is not likely to extend past an early 2016 release date mainly because of its designation. Since it is still being considered as a part of the iPhone 6 series, it would make sense for it to be released prior to the launch of the iPhone 7. With the iPhone 7 currently expected to launch by September of next year, such gives the iPhone 6c a relatively spacious but still urgent timeline to be released.

As for what people can expect from the iPhone 6c, it is currently being rumored to have a four-inch display, according to NDTV.

The new phone is also expected to have some new features, such as the Touch ID sensor that was absent in the most recent iteration of the line. 

Interestingly, the iPhone 6c is also expected to a make a dramatic change in terms of its overall composition. The plastic bodies that have become trademarks of earlier versions will reportedly be taken out in favor of all-new metal bodies. Those who have come to love the varied color options of past versions need not worry, however, as the 6c will still provide buyers with multiple choices.

More news about the iPhone 6c is expected to come out ahead of the phone's rumored release.