New report reveals exact date

It's no secret that the iPhone 16 series is coming soon. I've already written that I'm convinced that the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will go on sale on Friday, September 20. But when will Apple hold the keynote where the new hardware will be presented? A well-informed journalist has just commented on this.

“Apple Inc. plans to hold its biggest product launch event of the year on Sept. 10, where the company will unveil the latest iPhones, watches and AirPods, according to people familiar with the situation,” Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said.

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That seems likely, and it's pretty exciting that it's not long now. Gurman is extremely well connected, so there are good reasons to believe he's right.

Gurman continues: “Although the timing has not been announced, the company is preparing for that date, which falls on a Tuesday, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are confidential. The unveiling will be followed by the phones going on sale on Sept. 20, in line with Apple's typical approach in recent years.”

I'm OK with September 20th as a release date, and Tuesday, September 10th seems like the most likely date for the keynote based on what Gurman describes as Apple's typical approach.

I'll just add that in speaking to Apple over the years, I've heard that the company hates being predictable. Multiple reports suggest that Apple is right on schedule with iPhone production, or even ahead of schedule, so it's possible it could launch early this year.

And there's a major televised presidential debate scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, and it's possible that Apple wants to avoid conflict with that debate.

While I don't think the earlier Tuesday, September 3rd, is possible, I wouldn't rule out Monday, September 9th. Plus, that could even mean a Friday, September 13th sales launch – although I know that may be wishful thinking on my part.

The other date that shouldn't be written off is Thursday, September 12, if Apple wants to completely forget about the Berlin technology fair IFA, which runs until Tuesday, September 10. Wednesday is out of the question, as September 11 is a date that Apple never chose.

Here's my best guess: Gurman is right and the keynote will take place on Tuesday, September 10th at 10 a.m. Pacific Time at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, but Monday, September 9th is a possibility. It's less likely, but that presidential debate could influence Apple's decisions. Either way, preorders will likely open on Friday, September 13th and the iPhones will be in customers' hands on Friday, September 20th.

More as soon as we have it.

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