iPhone 8 Launch Event Date, Release Date, Pre-Orders Date

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We know that Apple unveils new flagship iPhones in the first half of September. It means the highly anticipated iPhone 8 launch event is only a few days away. Multiple tipsters, including Mac4Ever, have claimed that Apple would hold its next big event on September 12. Now the Wall Street Journal has confirmed that the iPhone 8 launch event would take place on Tuesday, September 12.

iPhone 8 launch event to be held on Sept.12. Pre-orders begin on Sept.15

The Cupertino company hasn’t yet sent out official media invites. If the September 12 unveiling date is true, we can estimate the 10th anniversary iPhone’s pre-order date and release date because Apple has been following a specific pattern for the last few years. For instance, it sends out media invites 7-10 days before the big day. Invitations for the last year’s September 7 event were sent out on August 29.

Unless it intends to surprise everyone, Apple will likely send out invitations between September 2-5. The tech giant opens pre-orders 2-3 days after the keynote event, on a Friday. The iPhone 8 pre-orders should open on September 15th at midnight Pacific Time. Apple is set to unveil three new iPhones this year. The iPhone 7S and 7S Plus (tentative names) would also be available for pre-orders on Sept.15.

According to Mashable, the first reviews should start pouring in on September 19. The iPhone maker sometimes varies the time of reviews, but they always appear on Tuesday before the sale date. And sales commence on Friday the week after the keynote event. It means the new iPhones should go on sale on September 22nd. That’s where things get a little tricky.

iPhone 8 may not release on Sept.22

You see, Apple is set to release three new smartphones next month. Two of them will be only minor upgrades over the current models, but the third one will be radically different in terms of design, features, and functionality. Introduction of a lot of new technologies has caused some trouble with the development and production of the anniversary model. So, Apple might not be able to release the iPhone 8 in September.

Mashable believes the iPhone 7S and 7S Plus would go on sale on September 22, but the iPhone 8 would arrive at a later date. We expect the 10th anniversary iPhone to hit the store shelves in October. A delayed release should give Apple sufficient time to ramp up production and build up inventory. However, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims Apple will manage to launch the iPhone 8 in September, though the device would be in short supply during the first few weeks.

There is more than one reason to push back the iPhone 8 release by a few weeks. If all three iPhones launch on Sept.22, the iPhone 7S and 7S Plus would have no opportunity to stand on their own. They will be overshadowed by the iPhone 8 from day one. Releasing three devices on the same day could also pose logistical challenges. The AirPods were announced with the iPhone 7 in September last year, but began shipping in December 2016.

Redefining what you can do with your smartphone

The iPhone 8 is said to be the most innovative smartphone from Apple in years. The device will have a bezel-less OLED screen with a top cutout for the front camera, 3D infrared sensor, and ear speaker. It would launch with facial recognition technology that would aid or fully replace the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The iPhone 8 would feature augmented reality, a dual camera system, wireless charging, and a new SmartCam technology.

Yes, it will be an expensive device. Probably the most expensive iPhone ever. The rumor mill and supply chain leaks have consistently suggested a price tag above $1,000 for the base model. A few leaks even claimed that the highest storage variant might cost as much as $1,200. More recent reports point to a starting price of $999. The higher price is due to the OLED display, the 3D sensing module, augmented reality, and other new features.

Where will the iPhone 8 launch event take place?

Another thing that Apple fans are equally curious about is: where will Apple hold the iPhone 8 launch event? The 2016 iPhones were unveiled at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Now there is a new contender in the town – the Steve Jobs Theater at the Apple Park, the official name of the Cupertino company’s “Spaceship” headquarters.

It’s unclear whether the Steve Jobs Theater will be fully ready in time for the event. Apple may choose to hold the keynote event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium or somewhere else. The iPhone launch is Apple’s biggest event, which is attended by thousands of people from around the world. The Bill Graham Auditorium has a seating capacity of more than 8,000. The new Steve Jobs Theater can hold only about 1,000 people.

Apple Watch Series 3 to launch with iPhone 8

Apple is also expected to release the Apple Watch Series 3 at the same event. According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the next-gen Watch will be available in 38mm and 42mm sizes, and will look similar to last year’s models. Apple is said to bring the Watch Series 3 in both LTE and non-LTE variants. The LTE version will allow users to download apps and stream music even when it’s not paired with an iPhone. We will also see a 4K Apple TV box at the next month’s event.

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