iPhone 5S and 5C Expected to Launch in Japan on September 20 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

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

M5 Vision Pro Thumb 2

Apple Has Given Up on the Vision Pro After M5 Refresh Flop

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:31 am PDT by
Apple has all but given up on the Vision Pro after the M5 model failed to revitalize interest in the device, MacRumors has learned. Apple updated the Vision Pro with a faster M5 chip and a more comfortable band in October 2025, but there were no other hardware changes, and consumers still weren't interested. The Vision Pro has been criticized for its high price tag and its uncomfortable...
app store monthly sub commitment

Apple Introduces App Store Monthly Subscriptions With 12-Month Commitment

Monday April 27, 2026 12:52 pm PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of a new subscription option for App Store developers: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. The new option allows developers to offer subscribers discounted pricing typically associated with an annual subscription but paid on a monthly basis to keep payments more affordable. This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro to Launch in September With These 10 New Features

Tuesday April 28, 2026 9:35 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...

Top Rated Comments

166 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)
166 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)
166 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
166 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)
166 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
166 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)