Apple has confirmed it will unveil new products on September 15, which will likely include the iPhone 13, so when will you be able to get your hands on the manufacturer's latest and greatest?
iPhone launches happen in three phases: announcement, pre-order, and release.
- Announcement: Apple tends to hold splashy events where it reveals its latest iPhone, in addition to pricing and availability. Apple events are typically held on a Tuesday or a Wednesday (California time).
- Pre-order: Pre-orders typically start a few days after Apple reveals its new iPhones. In some years, these have been staggered. For example, last year iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders started in October, but iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders started in November. Pre-orders tend to kick off on a Friday.
- Release Day: Release day is when you can find a new iPhone on shelves. Release day is typically one week after pre-orders start, and traditionally falls on a Friday.
Given Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 13 on September 15, pre-orders should kick off on September 17, probably at 11pm. Release day would then be one week later: September 24. At this stage it's unclear whether all four new iPhones will be available on the same day, or whether Apple will do a staggered launch like last year.
For reference, here's when every iPhone to date was announced and released.
Past iPhone release dates
| iPhone | Year | Announcement Date | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro Max | 2020 | October 13 | November 13 |
| iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro | 2020 | October 13 | October 23 |
| iPhone SE (2nd Generation) | 2020 | April 15 | April 24 |
| iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max | 2019 | September 10 | September 20 |
| iPhone XR | 2018 | September 12 | October 26 |
| iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max | 2018 | September 12 | September 21 |
| iPhone X | 2017 | September 12 | November 3 |
| iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus | 2017 | September 12 | September 22 |
| iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus | 2016 | September 7 | September 16 |
| iPhone SE (1st Generation) | 2016 | March 21 | March 31 |
| iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus | 2015 | September 9 | September 25 |
| iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus | 2014 | September 9 | September 19 |
| iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S | 2013 | September 10 | September 10 |
| iPhone 5 | 2012 | September 12 | September 21 |
| iPhone 4S | 2011 | October 4 | October 14 |
| iPhone 4 | 2010 | June 7 | June 30 |
| iPhone 3GS | 2009 | June 8 | June 19 |
| iPhone 3G | 2008 | June 9 | July 11 |
| iPhone | 2007 | January 9 | June 29 |
What are we expecting from the iPhone 13?
While new iPhones can feel a bit incremental these days, Apple is expected to kit out every iPhone 13 model with the same kind of primary lens we saw in the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro Max stands out from the other iPhone 12 models thanks to a bigger sensor (that lets more light in) with better stabilisation. This results in sharper, clearer, brighter photos. A smaller notch is also on the cards, as is a high refresh rate display that should make all motion looker smoother (on the Pro models, at the least). Once again, Apple is expected to drop four new iPhones: a standard iPhone 13, an iPhone 13 mini, an iPhone 13 Pro, and an iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Read more iPhone 13 rumours here.
Alex Choros
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