Pre-Orders for Next-Generation iPhone to Begin September 12? - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Pre-Orders for Next-Generation iPhone to Begin September 12?

iphone 4s boxiMore, which was the first source to claim that Apple will be holding its media event to introduce the next-generation iPhone on September 12, now reports that pre-orders for the device will begin on that same date ahead of the already-rumored first wave of launches on September 21.

Apple's first launch wave typically includes the United States and perhaps a half dozen other countries, and iMore notes that the second wave of launches that will bring the device to additional countries is scheduled for the first week of October.

We've since learned that iPhone 5 pre-orders are currently planned to begin that same day, at least in the U.S. Release is still planned for 9 days later, on September 21, 2012. We've also learned that the second wave of iPhone launches, the ones in international markets, will begin in the first week of October, likely October 5.

The report notes that this sequence of events will be similar but not identical to last year's, which saw the iPhone 4S introduced on October 4 and pre-orders begin three days later on October 7. The iPhone launched in the United States and six other countries on October 14, with the second wave bringing the device to over 20 additional countries two weeks later.

Tag: iMore
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple 2026 Back to School Graphic

Apple's 2026 Back to School Offer Just Went Live in Select Countries

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:48 am PDT by
Apple's annual Back to School promotion is now live in select countries in Asia, including China, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The offer provides college students and educational staff with a free item with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad model. The exact offer varies by country, with options including a pack of four AirTags, AirPods 4,...
iphone 17 cyber

Apple Closes Unlocked iPhone Loophole for T-Mobile and Verizon Financing

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
Carrier-financed iPhones purchased from Apple will soon be locked to the carrier, ending a workaround customers used to purchase an unlocked iPhone on a payment plan. Until the rule change, buying an iPhone from Apple and opting for financing through Verizon or T-Mobile meant you would get an iPhone not locked to either carrier's network. That's no longer the case, and now iPhones financed...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

New iPad Mini With Four Upgrades Reportedly Launching by October

Thursday July 16, 2026 7:16 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release a new iPad mini model with an OLED display by October this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple already updated the iPad Pro with an OLED display in May 2024, but the iPad mini, iPad Air, and entry-level iPad are all still equipped with LCD screens. The move to OLED technology would result in the next iPad mini offering improved image quality, thanks ...

Top Rated Comments

Macman45 Avatar
182 months ago
I can safely say this is pretty much nailed on...I'm going to wait this time, my 4S will happily run IOS6, and if Apple don't deliver on screen size etc. I'll stick..Sometimes enough is enough.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ajcadoo Avatar
182 months ago
September 12. Why u no come sooner?!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmanist1000 Avatar
182 months ago
Yep. Skipping class that whole day.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nick_elt Avatar
182 months ago
Fingers crossed, been a while since I bought my 3g (no s!) and to say its on its last legs is an understatement!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
182 months ago
If there is ONE major reason I think people should consider upgrading to iPhone 5, it's for the 4G LTE.

Screen size, camera, NFC... blah blah blah.

I WANT MY LTE FINALLY!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
182 months ago
Pre-Order Pro Tip: Sometimes the mobile Apple Store App has been able to bypass the slowness of the Apple.com site on pre-order day. Give it a try - you might get through much faster.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)