Updated August 11 with new sources providing information and details on Foxconn’s production of this year’s iPhones.
The new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max will almost certainly be revealed within a month. But when exactly? You can read my detailed predictions for when the iPhone will go on sale, when it will be announced, and even when it will be announced here. But a new report on the production line could provide more clarity on what’s happening and when, and another report adds more credibility to it — and now even AI predictions are getting in on the act.
iPhone 15 is about to be replaced.. Here’s when the iPhone 16 will be announced
So far, several analysts have suggested a key date for the conference on Tuesday, September 10, which I think could be appropriate (though please read the caveats below). On the subject of AI services, this date also seems preferable. “Oddly enough, this is also the date some AI services will say if you ask when Apple’s next launch will be. But, typically, only some AI tools say this date while others insist on September 6th or 12th.DAs William Gallagher said in Apple Insider Refers to.
In my opinion, September 6 is a bad date. It clashes with the IFA tech fair in Berlin. And if the German show seems too marginal to be a concern, think again: IFA is as big as the massive CES trade show in Las Vegas. That leaves September 10 and 12 in the frame. Or maybe Monday, September 9. That’s a bit of a stretch since Apple has never announced an iPhone on a Monday before, but it’s not impossible.
“Human intelligence tells us that Apple can launch products whenever it wants, but in practice there are enormous logistical problems surrounding launching millions of iPhones,” Gallagher says again. “Apple knows how to do it, has done it many times—and will likely do it again.”
He also, correctly in my opinion, omitted an earlier date, Tuesday, September 3. That would have overshadowed IFA and taken the spotlight from the trade show, but it would have been the day after Labor Day, meaning press would have travelled from all over the country on the public holiday, not to mention the long weekend for employees, both of which would be unpopular.
This ties into another point from Apple Insider: There’s more flexibility up until the last minute now. “When events used to be held live, such a date could have been ruled out,” he said. [as September 3] Because Apple liked to practice until the next day. And with the release of pre-recorded and pre-produced videos, there shouldn’t be quite the same problem.
Another important indicator comes from the claim that Foxconn, a major iPhone maker in China, has been hiring more employees. And they’ve been hiring a lot: 50,000 new employees, according to the company. Business in KoreaAs spotted by Mac rumorsThe increased staffing is another clear indication that production is ramping up as the release date approaches. The timing is perfect for the release date of Friday, September 20th – more details on the dates below.
Here’s MacRumors’ description of the influx of additional employees: “The company has ramped up production efforts with its main manufacturing partner, Foxconn, in Zhengzhou, China. The factory, known as the world’s largest smartphone manufacturing plant, is currently producing an additional 1,000,000 units. iPhone “The production base is now operating at full capacity, having added 50,000 additional workers over the past two weeks.”
Meanwhile, mass production of the OLED displays that will adorn the iPhone 16 series phones has been ramped up, according to ET NewsSamsung plans to produce 80 million units, while LG reportedly plans to produce 43 million units.
So why does this matter? Because it suggests that iPhone production is on schedule, meaning that no delays are expected at this point. If true, it means that the iPhone 16 series is very likely to go on sale in September.
The likely date for the keynote event revealing the devices — along with the Apple Watch Series 10 and possibly new AirPods — appears to be firmly on Tuesday, September 10.
As always, Apple likes to be unpredictable, so don’t be surprised if it’s a day or two behind schedule. It certainly won’t be Wednesday, September 11: Apple avoided that date because it’s the anniversary of the 2001 attacks.
With everything scheduled, this seems to mean that pre-orders for the phones will begin on Friday, September 13, and the iPhone 16 will go on sale on September 20, the following Friday.
These final dates, for pre-orders and direct sales, appear to be set: even if the keynote has been postponed by a day or two.
Apple knows what’s going on, but until it actually announces the keynote, it can change anything it needs to until the last minute.
Stay tuned for the keynote announcement in the first week of September, which is when the big electronics trade show starts. I’ll post more details after that, likely on Tuesday, September 3 or Wednesday, September 4.
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