iPhone 17 launch date may have been leaked by German wireless carriers

AppleInsider

A new report citing internal cellphone carrier sources says that Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 family on a date that's been previously rumored to host the event.

iPhone 17 Pro - Image Credit: AppleInsider

The new report fits in with previous rumors stating that the launch would be in the week beginning September 8, 2025. AppleInsider noted that out of respect for 9/11, Apple does not hold launches on September 11, nor does it hold them on Fridays, so September 12 was out.

According to German site iPhone Ticker, cellphone carriers in that country have been told that the event will be on Tuesday, September 9. The report claims to be based on information from multiple carriers, which may be to back up its likelihood of being correct, or may be to protect a source.

Either way, the only other information claimed is that pre-orders will start on the following Friday, so September 12, 2025. First deliveries will arrive for customers on September 19.

That date is also when the iPhone 17 will be available to buy in-store.

It's expected that Apple will launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The previous Plus model is believed to have been dropped, and instead there will be a slim iPhone 17 Air.

This may be the last year that Apple launches all of its major iPhone updates at the same time. Now that it's thought the iPhone 16e may be replaced annually in the spring, it's been reported that Apple will split its launch in two.

If so, September would be reserved for the Pro models -- which in 2026 might include an iPhone Fold. Then there could be a Spring date for the regular and Air models.

Apple is also expected to launch the Apple Watch Series 11 at this September 9, 2025 event. Last year it opened pre-orders for the new Apple Watch on the same day as the announcement.

Rumor Score: Likely

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anilu_777

Apple is not going to make customers of the regular models wait until spring. That makes no sense. The last time one was delayed vs the others was the iPhone X. 

charlesn

Anilu_777 said:

Apple is not going to make customers of the regular models wait until spring. That makes no sense. The last time one was delayed vs the others was the iPhone X. 

Agree. Apple doesn't want to be a victim of its own success with the "e" phone, where it ends up cannibalizing too many sales of the regular iPhone at a price point that's $200 less. My wife's company issued her a 16e, and I have to say that Apple really crushed it with that phone. The black model, especially, is chef's kiss, and would get my vote for best looking iPhone on the market. The current split launch is helpful to sales of the regular iPhone, coming right after the big dog and pony iPhone show, and offering Apple's "latest and greatest" six months ahead of the "e" release. I have no idea what innovations Apple may have planned for the Air other than its thinness, but it needs to be pretty good to compete with the "e" phone. Both are single camera lens models, and the integrated design of the "e," in my opinion, give it a more svelte look, overall, than the "hunchback" camera bar I've seen in renders of the Air.