Updated Aug. 24 with new information about the upcoming release date schedule.
Apple’s next slew of iPhones will go on sale in September, almost certainly less than four weeks from now. Before then, it’s probably under three weeks before all is revealed at the next keynote. And the soonest development could be as soon as Tuesday, Aug. 26. Here’s your complete guide to what’s coming, including times to the minute.
Apple iPhone 16: iPhone 17 series is almost here.
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The iPhone 17 series is expected to be the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and an all-new super-slim model, possibly called iPhone 17 Air.
1. Apple Announces Keynote Details
Date and time expected: 8 a.m. Pacific, Tuesday, Aug. 26
Apple likes to make a splash with its announcement that a special event is coming. If it sticks to the same timetable as previous years, Aug. 26 will be the day, two weeks before the keynote. The following week is the big electronics show IFA in Berlin, and an announcement then could get lost in the noise so Apple will be keen to have maximum impact. Going the week before will help with that.
Wednesday, Aug. 27 is also possible, but Tuesday is the favorite. That said, whichever date it is, assuming it’s in the same week, as I’m certain it will be, the rest of the schedule (pre-orders, software release, reviews and release date) will be unchanged.
2. Apple Keynote
Date and time expected: 10 a.m. Pacific, Tuesday, Sept. 9
I’ve been calling it for this date for more than two months now, and everything seems to be on track. The day before, Monday, Sept. 8 is just possible, but I’m sure Tuesday is the day.
The venue will almost certainly be the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park, Apple’s Cupertino headquarters.
3. Pre-Orders Open
Date and time expected: 5 a.m. Pacific, Friday, Sept. 12
Once the keynote has revealed all the secrets for the new iPhones, from the names to the specs to the prices, the next date is when pre-orders will open. Even if there is sometimes an offer where prospective buyers can put their chosen models in the shopping bag online the day before, to be ready to go the next day, pre-orders always open on the Friday after the keynote for most of the products announced.
4. iOS 26 General Release
Date and time expected: 10 a.m. Pacific, Monday, Sept. 15
The software that will power the new iPhones, and all models right back to the iPhone 11, will go on general release this day or, possibly, Tuesday, Sept. 16.
5. The First Reviews
Date and time expected: 6 a.m. Pacific, Tuesday, Sept. 16 or Wednesday, Sept. 17
The first clues to what the press think will appear before the release date. It is usually on the Tuesday before release, which will be Tuesday, Sept. 16. The time varies but in recent years it’s been 6 a.m Pacific, 9 a.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. U.K. It’s possible it could be the Wednesday instead, though Tuesday is favorite, I’d say. The Wednesday, Sept. 17, is likely to be when the reviews of the new Apple Watches will appear. Same time of day.
More reviews will follow in the coming weeks, but these will be the only ones to land before the release date.
6. The Big Day: iPhone 17 Release Date
Date and time expected: 7 a.m. local time, Friday, Sept. 19
This is it: the iPhone 17 series will hit stores and go on general sale. Unlike the other parts of the puzzle, this will be timed differently according to where you live. Australia and New Zealand are among the first places to open Apple Store doors, California rather later. Look out for photos from the Australia Apple Stores appearing during the day.
If anything changes to this schedule, I’ll update this post, so please check back.
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