AT&T Reportedly Prepping for iPhone Launch in 'Early to Mid-September'

iphone 4 side shot
BGR reports that AT&T is beginning preparations for an expected "early to mid-September" launch of the next-generation iPhone, in line with launch rumors and expectations and other reports of Apple beefing up its retail store staffing over a similar timeframe.

BGR has exclusively learned that AT&T has begun communicating launch plans internally for Apple’s next-generation iPhone 5 handset. We have been told that AT&T has begun informing employees across the company, and those who work in retail locations, to finish any sort of employee training as soon as possible. AT&T is asking managers to finish training in order to have employees available for the influx of foot traffic expected in September, a proven source has shared with us.

Apple has been preparing to increase staffing at its retail stores in the United States and United Kingdom, and rumors have suggested that Apple will use its traditional fall iPod media event to introduce the next-generation iPhone this year. That event has typically taken place in early September, although some reports have pushed that date up into late August this year ahead of a September launch for the device. Apple has announced that iOS 5 will debut this "fall", and that software launch will undoubtedly occur right around the release of the next-generation hardware.

Tag: BGR
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Battery Capacity and Weight Allegedly Revealed

Monday May 19, 2025 2:22 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air later this year, and while there have been plenty of rumors about the camera's overall design and thinness, we haven't heard any details about the device's weight and battery capacity until now. According to the leaker going by the account name "yeux1122" on the Korean-langauge Naver blog, the 6.6-inch iPhone 17 Air has a weight ...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
WWDC 2025 Banner

Apple Announces WWDC 2025 Schedule, Including Keynote Time

Tuesday May 20, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced a more detailed schedule for its annual developers conference WWDC, which runs from June 9 through June 13. The schedule confirms that Apple's keynote will begin on Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with a live stream to be available on Apple.com, in the Apple TV app, and on YouTube. During the keynote, Apple is expected to announce iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16,...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
Apple Intelligence General Feature

Report: Apple's Next-Gen Version of Siri Is 'On Par' With ChatGPT

Monday May 19, 2025 9:00 am PDT by
Apple has big plans to improve Siri over the next few years, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Drake Bennett report. Some Apple executives are now reportedly pushing to turn Siri into a true ChatGPT competitor. A next-generation, chatbot version of Siri has reportedly made significant progress during testing over the past six months; some executives allegedly now see it as "on par" with recent...
iOS 18 Siri Personal Context

Apple Will Reportedly Be More Cautious About Announcing New Features Well in Advance

Sunday May 18, 2025 2:50 pm PDT by
Apple plans to mostly stop announcing new features more than a few months before they are ready to launch, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Drake Bennett. The pair of reporters revealed this noteworthy tidbit towards the bottom of a lengthy report about Apple's artificial intelligence shortcomings today. This alleged change in strategy comes after Apple was forced to delay its more...

Top Rated Comments

mikejd1 Avatar
180 months ago
I feat they will yank our unlimited data for those grandfathered in, especially if there is true 4 G speeds. Time will tell, 6 to 8 weeks to go.

This is what i'm nervous about
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TUD Avatar
180 months ago
You do realize that Verizon doesn't have unlimited data either (for new customers), right?


Yes...

AT&T (voice) is terrible in the Southeast.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applefanDrew Avatar
180 months ago
It won't have LTE. Look for that in the 2012 models.

it will probably be LTE. qualcomm is supposed to ship a LTE radio chip soon that also supports all older techs as well
They pushed that chip back to early 2012. No LTE this go around.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cadillac1234 Avatar
180 months ago
I'm not too excited about this to be honest.

The iPhone 4 pretty much maxed me out on the features/performance that I needed from a smartphone. As long as they don't cripple the new OTA sync or cloud features of IOS 5 in the iPhone 4 I'll be happy with my old one.

I'm sure Apple will find a way to change my mind before the launch though :D
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chief Oddball Avatar
180 months ago
It's looking more and more like a September launch, then. The big question is how big of a difference will there be between the iPhone 4 and 5. Current signs point to "not that much". But given that I'm holding a two-year-old 3GS, I'm probably going to upgrade regardless.

I'm probably going to lose my unlimited data plan, though. I can't say I've ever used more than 2 GB in a month, but it would still suck having one more meter somewhere that I have to keep watch on.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tones2 Avatar
180 months ago
I want 64 GB, but I'm sure I won't get it. :(

Tony
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)