It’s no secret that the iPhone 16 lineup is on the horizon. But the key question is: when exactly? The highly anticipated date is the Apple Special Event keynote, when the company will take the stage at the Steve Jobs Theater, part of its Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California. And the latest report appears to confirm the date of this event. Or does it? I have some questions.
The Current iPhone 15 Hits Stores in California
The iPhone 15 is about to be replaced by the iPhone 16. But when will that happen?Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
I’ve previously written that I’m convinced the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will launch on Friday, September 20. “Apple Inc. is planning to hold its biggest product launch event of the year on Sept. 10, when the company will unveil the latest iPhones, watches and AirPods, according to people familiar with the situation,” says Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Latest Leak Echoes New Design
This seems plausible, but I believe other dates are still in play. And Gurman has since posted on X with comments that lead me to believe September 10 isn’t set in stone. I started to have doubts when I realized the September 10 date would clash with the first televised Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. That’s bound to dominate the news cycle and could potentially lead Apple to reschedule. And if so, to when?
Given that September 11 is a date Apple has always avoided, there are two other possible days that week: Monday, September 9 and Thursday, September 12.
Apple typically reserves Monday keynotes for WWDC in June. Could the debate mean they’ll make an exception this year?
As for Thursday, September 12, Gurman has just said on X, “Apple has scheduled an unusual and mandatory meeting for employees at all Apple retail stores for the evening of Sept 12 or morning of Sept 13. This would be ahead of the iPhone 16 release a week later — but pre launch meetings are typically held on Sundays not during the week.”
To me, this suggests September 12 may be too tight a fit for the keynote as well. In fact, the fact that Apple is bringing the staff meeting forward makes me think they could move the keynote forward too. I’m leaning towards Monday, September 9 as a strong possibility—though I realize I’m speculating here.
Gurman goes on, “Though the timing hasn’t yet been announced, the company is making preparations for that date, which falls on a Tuesday, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. The unveiling will be followed by the phones going on sale Sept. 20, in line with Apple’s typical approach in recent years.”
I’d just add that in my discussions with Apple over the years, I’ve heard the company say how it likes to avoid being predictable. Several reports suggest Apple is on schedule, or even ahead, with iPhone production, which also suggests it’s possible things could move up this year.
And I keep coming back to that big televised Presidential debate scheduled for Tuesday, September 10 and how Apple might want to avoid a clash with that.
I don’t think the previous Tuesday, September 3, is likely, but I wouldn’t completely rule out Monday, September 9. Could this mean an on-sale date of Friday, September 13? That may just be wishful thinking on my part.
My best guess: Gurman could be right and the keynote will be at 10 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, September 10 at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, but Monday, September 9 is also a possibility. The Presidential debate will likely influence Apple’s decisions. Either way, pre-orders will likely go live on Friday, September 13 and iPhones will hit stores on Friday, September 20.
More updates to come as I learn more.