Rumor: iPhone 5 out for carrier testing

As the rumor mill surrounding the impending release of Apple's iPhone 5 continues to churn, wireless carriers find themselves in the mix, reportedly testing the latest version of the iPhone for network compatibility and stability.

The Guardian (U.K.) has filed a report saying that its sources claim that carriers have received the highly secure boxes that contain the iPhone 5 testing units from Apple.

"The next iPhones go for their testing inside locked and sealed boxes so that the carriers can carry out checks on their network compatibility in their labs."

The boxes are rarely opened and, most likely, if opened at all it is only by the highest ranking (and most trusted) lab technicians at the carriers. But, now that wireless carriers allegedly have their testing units in hand, the release window of the iPhone 5 gets a little clearer.

A smattering of reports about an October launch, a September launch, and various "exact" dates in between have surfaced around the Web--none of which had appeared to be more substantial than the other. But, if carriers are testing iPhone 5 models now, as The Guardian suggests, it seems more likely that a September release for the iPhone 5 will occur.

Given the abundance of rumors around the iPhone 5 release, what are you inclined to believe? Will we see the iPhone 5 in September or October (or some other time)? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!