The new iPhone could arrive sooner than expected. Apple is expected to launch the 2022 iPhone in September, so it could be available soon. Since the iPhone 13 was announced a year ago, rumours have swirled about the iPhone 14. We’ve heard rumours about the new iPhone’s design, price, and features since then. Its release date? We can guess based on Apple’s past releases.
Apple releases new iPhones on the first or second Tuesday of September. Last year, the iPhone 13 series debuted on Sept. 14, preorders began Sept. 17, and sales began Sept. 24. Apple’s iPhone 14 event could be Sept. 6 or 13. Since iPhones go on preorder on Fridays, we expect that to happen on Sept. 9 or Sept. 16. iPhone release dates usually follow Apple’s announcements by two weeks. When introducing a new design or size, launch dates staggers sometimes. So iPhone 14 may have multiple release dates.
Another theory has circulated for years. In 2018, CNET took a deep dive into the Apple event timeline and emerged with a compelling Labor Day hypothesis. Based on the 2022 calendar, the Labor Day rule would put the September Apple event (and the iPhone 14 unveil) on Wednesday, Sept. 7, with a Friday, Sept. 16, release date. A recent Bloomberg report also suggested the same dates for the iPhone 14’s announcement and release.
However, the Labor Day prediction was a week off for 2021 — and, because of coronavirus delays, about a month off in 2020. To be sure, there have been some reported supply chain issues for the iPhone 14 that some worry could potentially push the release date later. But noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has quelled some of those fears, saying it should only have a “limited” impact, in a July post on Twitter.
For a more in-depth look at iPhone rumors, check out every rumour we’ve heard about Apple’s iPhone 14 and our story on whether there will be a foldable iPhone. Also, check out whether you should upgrade to an iPhone 12 or 13 this year, if you’re not interested in the rumoured iPhone 14.
Apple is aiming to launch the iPhone 14 at an event on September 7, with new devices going on sale Sept. 16. https://t.co/Y9TNfD4k1U
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 17, 2022
iPhone 14 release date: What’s leaker says about launch
Before Gurman’s revelation of a September 7 release date, leakers suggested the second week of September. A different report afterwards suggested September 6.
Apple usually holds events on Tuesdays, but September 6 is the day following Labor Day. For the iPhone 6s launch in 2015, Apple moved its event to a Wednesday to avoid holiday conflicts. Gurman’s September 7 date seems more realistic.
Some reports in May warned of iPhone 14 Max production delays. For now, we expect all four versions to arrive at once this year, barring any reports of a staggered iPhone 14 delivery.