iPhone 5S and 5C Expected to Launch in Japan on September 20

CNET summarizes a report [Google translation] from prominent Japanese business newspaper Nikkei claiming that both the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C will launch in Japan on Friday, September 20, ten days after the devices are expected to be unveiled at an Apple media event.

SoftBank and KDDI will handle sales of the iPhone 5S and 5C, according to Japan's largest business daily. NTT Docomo is not expected to sell the new iPhones, Nikkei added. [...]

In addition to the conventional black and white models, a new "champagne gold" will be offered, the newspaper said. This reinforces widely-reported rumors about that color option for the iPhone 5S.

The 5S is expected to come with an upgraded processor and camera as well as fingerprint reader integrated into the home button, according to the report.

September 20 has been widely speculated to be the date for the first wave of launches for Apple's new iPhone models, based on past history. Apple typically launches its new iPhones in the United States and several other markets roughly a week and half after they are introduced, and with a September 10 media event all but confirmed, September 20 is viewed by many as the most likely launch date.

iphone_5S_5_side_by_side

Prototype iPhone 5S (left) vs. iPhone 5 (right)

Last year, Apple introduced the iPhone 5 at a media event on September 12, with the first round of launches taking place on September 21 in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 27 Will Reportedly Have Two Key Upgrades

Sunday November 23, 2025 8:48 am PST by
iOS 27 will reportedly have two major elements: quality improvements and new AI features. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is focused on improving "quality and underlying performance" over adding new features. Gurman said there is one exception to this rule, though, as he expects...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like a Huge Upgrade

Friday November 21, 2025 9:10 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's next-generation iPhones are less than ten months away and we already have a good idea about what to expect based on corroborated leaks, rumors,...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're only a few days away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Two Breakthrough Features

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:26 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include two standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
amazon black friday

Amazon Kicks Off Black Friday Sale With Major Discounts on Apple Accessories, TVs, and More

Sunday November 23, 2025 7:12 am PST by
Black Friday deals have begun, and Amazon is one of the best places you can find steep discounts on numerous products this week. We've already collected all of the best Apple-related deals you'll find at Amazon (and other retailers) in our Apple Black Friday Deals post, so below you'll find other discounts on devices like Anker accessories, Beats headphones, video games, TVs, and more. Note:...

Top Rated Comments

juanmanas Avatar
160 months ago
I cry a little inside when I don't hear rumors of a bigger screen this close to the reveal.

Android here I come...

Au revoir
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3282868 Avatar
160 months ago
The only thing Apple did not do was to increase the size to 5 inches.
Me, too. No more iphones until they grow up and join the 21st C.
I cry a little inside when I don't hear rumors of a bigger screen this close to the reveal.
Really with these size queens, jeez :p
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imageWIS Avatar
160 months ago
I'm still really up in the air about what I'm going to do with my upgrade. If the iPhone 5S doesn't wow me, I might be ditching the iPhone.

Had iPhones since 2007, but the last few releases have been really disappointing.

Um, the last few includes the 4, which was and still is a marvelous piece of technology.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dulcimer Avatar
160 months ago
I cry a little inside when I don't hear rumors of a bigger screen this close to the reveal.

Android here I come...

It should've been obvious with leaks of the 5S from a few months ago.

Well goodbye, then.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Todd B. Avatar
160 months ago
I cry a little inside when I don't hear rumors of a bigger screen this close to the reveal.

Android here I come...

People are still whining about screen size?

If you want a laptop, get a laptop. Phones are supposed to be small.

The screen size is fine.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
adam044 Avatar
160 months ago
I cry a little inside when I don't hear rumors of a bigger screen this close to the reveal.

Android here I come...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)