**Editor’s Note: Click here for our ranking of March’s hottest selling smartphones to see how Apple’s iPhone fared against the competition.**

While most fans – whether business user or general consumer – of Apple’s iconic smartphone can’t wait for news of an iPhone 6 release date, they’ll probably be disappointed to learn that they might have to shell out an additional $100 for the 2014 model.

The reason?: Despite a push from Samsung and other Android device-makers, competition might actually decrease this year instead of increase.

"Our checks indicate Apple has started negotiating with carriers on a $100 iPhone 6 price increase," noted Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, according to Business Insider. "The initial response has been no, but there seems to be an admission that there is no other game-changing device this year." 

But there are plenty of reasons to question the likelihood of this happening come September or October, when Apple will likely start selling the eighth iteration of the device.

Even if there isn’t another "game-changer," as Misek believes, many of Apple’s competitors are cutting prices on smartphones, making even the very best devices less desirable at higher price tags. Also, demand for these high-end handsets has been waning when compared to cheaper alternatives.

Size might be the difference this fall. Apple is rumored to be preparing two versions of the iPhone 6 – one with a 4.7-inch screen (three-quarters of an inch larger than on the iPhone 5s), and another that, at 5.5 inches, would fall into the "phablet" category. It seems likely that, if both phones come to fruition, the larger phone would carry the higher price tag.

Follow senior online managing editor @Craig_Galbraith on Twitter.