Rumored Hugely Apple anticipated iPhone 5 pre-orders to begin September 12, international sales to begin early October

apparent iPhone 5 screen and design

According to a new report from Rene Ritchie of iMore, who has been correct in the past, Apple is set to begin pre-orders of the next-generation iPhone on Sept. 12, which is the same day the device is expected to be announced. The device is then expected to be released Sept. 21, as several publications reported (and subsequently confirmed each other) a few weeks ago. At the same event, Apple is expected to introduce its new 7.85-inch iPad Mini. It is believed to compete directly with Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire. iMore further added in its report this morning that the international launch of the next iPhone will take place in early October, with Oct. 5 being the most likely day. Apple has been known to delay the launch of its devices internationally to ramp up sales. For example, the launch of the iPhone 4S internationally was two weeks after the U.S. launch.

The sixth-generation iPhone is pegged to include a longer 4-inch design and rock a 640-by-1,136 resolution, redesigned nano-SIM card slot, LTE connectivity, larger battery, NFC, and 9-pin connector. Apple is believed to update its entire iOS device lineup this fall to support the smaller connector, as several publications noted. You can check out our diagram from last night that showed all of the leaked sixth-generation iPhone’s parts laid out, adding a bit of context to what is expected to come. Furthermore, last week we showed you apps running at the 640-by-1,136 resolution in both portrait and landscape mode.

We think it may be difficult for Apple to process the mass amount of pre-orders during the day, especially after a huge event with new products hitting the store. Pre-orders have historically begun in the middle of the night. Even at that, Apple has had trouble keeping its servers up-and-running. Mid-evening sounds likely, if iMore’s report stands true. If history repeats itself, we are only a few weeks away from Apple sending out invites to a press event. We will keep you updated.

Source: Imore

Apple reportedly to unveil iPhone 5, iPad Mini on Sept. 12

Apple consumers could perhaps see the debut of both the new iPhone and an iPad Mini come September. Citing "sources who have proven accurate in the past," blog site iMore says that Apple will announce the two devices at a special event on Wednesday, September 12. The iPhone 5 itself would then go on sale 9 days later on Friday, September 21. This latest report follows a tidbit last week from French site App4Phone.fr (English translation), which pointed to a September 21 release date based on intel from Chinese manufacturing sources. The spacing itself jibes with last year's schedule when Apple unveiled the iPhone 4S on October 4 and then released it 10 days later. iMore's sources were apparently mum about a launch date for the iPad Mini, but the site says it could reach consumers on the same day, a logical assumption. The smaller iPad would reportedly be exactly like its 9.7-inch brother, but just on a 7-inch scale. Reports have surfaced about a new iPod Touch in the works, which could also be announced on September 12 as part of the upcoming lineup. A new iPod Nano may also be part of the mix. That promises a busy day launch day for Apple, but the company typically spruces up its iPhone announcement with updates to the iPod and other products. iMore's sources also passed along information already reported by others. The new iPhone would offer a 4-inch, 16:9 screen, while all new iOS devices would come with a smaller Dock connector. This report is still firmly in the rumor category. But a September release date for the next iPhone would make sense financially for Apple. Last year, the company launched the iPhone 4S in October. Demand for the new phone rewarded Apple with a gangbuster calendar fourth quarter. But the third quarter suffered as smartphone buyers held off purchases in anticipation of the new iPhone. Releasing a new phone in September ensures that Apple ends the calendar third quarter on a high note, with the expected heavy demand extending into the fourth quarter.