Apple releases new iPhones in September most years, with pre-orders starting a week later

Apple announces new iPhone models in mid-September, usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Pre-orders open the following Friday, and the phones ship to customers about a week after that. This September release window has held steady since 2014, though the exact dates shift by a few days each year depending on Apple's event schedule.

Not every September brings a new iPhone. Apple skipped a full release in 2020 and delayed the iPhone 12 launch to October that year because of pandemic manufacturing delays. But the pattern of announcing in September and shipping within two weeks has become the standard rhythm you can expect.

Key Takeaways

  • New iPhones are announced in mid-September and become available to order within one to two weeks, with delivery following shortly after.
  • Apple typically releases four iPhone models at once: two standard versions and two Pro versions, though the exact lineup changes year to year.
  • The iPhone 15 launched in September 2023, so the next major release would follow the same September pattern in 2024.
  • Older iPhone models usually drop in price by $100 to $200 once the new generation ships, and carriers often offer trade-in deals on the day of release.
  • If you want the newest model on day one, you need to pre-order during the first available window — stock for base models sells out within hours in most regions.

How Apple's yearly release schedule works

Apple holds a media event in September where executives announce the new iPhone lineup on stage. This event is livestreamed and lasts about two hours. The company shows off the new camera features, processor speed, and design changes, then opens pre-orders that same week, usually on Friday.

Shipping begins the following week. If you pre-order on Friday, your phone typically arrives between September 22 and September 29, depending on which model you choose and your location. Standard models ship faster than Pro versions because demand is higher for the Pro.

This schedule has become predictable enough that tech news sites publish countdown timers weeks in advance. If you want to know the exact date for the current year, searching "iPhone [year] release date" will show you Apple's official announcement once it happens.

What models launch together and when they cost

Apple releases four iPhone models at the same time: two standard models (usually called iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, for example) and two Pro models (iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max). The standard models start at $799 for the base storage size. The Pro models start at $999.

Each model comes in multiple storage sizes — typically 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB — and each size costs $100 to $200 more than the one below it. So a 256GB iPhone 15 costs $899, while a 256GB iPhone 15 Pro costs $1,099.

The exact storage options and prices can shift slightly from year to year. Apple sometimes removes the smallest storage size or adds a new one. Checking Apple's official website on announcement day is the only way to know the exact pricing for that year's models.

Price drops on older iPhones when new ones launch

When a new iPhone generation ships, Apple cuts the price of the previous generation by $100 to $200. The iPhone 14 cost $799 when it launched in 2022, but dropped to $699 when the iPhone 15 arrived in 2023. The iPhone 13 dropped from $729 to $599 at the same time.

Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile often run aggressive trade-in promotions on launch day. You might see offers like "trade in any iPhone and get $500 off the new iPhone 15 Pro" — but these deals usually require signing a two-year contract or adding a new line. Read the fine print before you commit.

If you are not in a rush to own the newest model, waiting two to three weeks after launch can save you money. Stock pressure eases, and you avoid the pre-order rush. You also get real-world reviews from people who have been using the phone for a few days.

Why September is Apple's chosen month

Apple chose September because it falls before the holiday shopping season in November and December. Releasing in September gives the company three months to build supply and market the phone before Black Friday and Christmas, when sales volume peaks.

September also avoids major competing product launches. Samsung typically announces Galaxy phones in January or February, and Google announces Pixel phones in October. By launching in September, Apple gets media attention without fighting for headlines.

The timing also aligns with Apple's fiscal year. Apple's financial year ends in September, so launching a major product at the end of the quarter helps the company report strong revenue numbers to investors.

What to expect if you want to pre-order on day one

Pre-orders open on Friday morning at 8 a.m. Pacific Time on Apple's website and through carrier websites like Verizon and AT&T. The base model iPhone (the standard non-Pro version) sells out within two to four hours in most U.S. regions. Pro models typically stay in stock longer because fewer people order them.

To pre-order successfully, have your payment method and shipping address ready before 8 a.m. Do not wait until the last minute to fill in your information — the checkout process can take five to ten minutes, and by then your preferred model and color may be out of stock.

If you miss the first wave, you can still pre-order later that day or the next day, but your delivery date will slip by one to two weeks. Phones ordered on Friday afternoon might not ship until early October. Waiting until the following Monday usually means a mid-October delivery.

When to buy if you do not need the newest model

If you own an iPhone that still works and you are not concerned about having the absolute latest features, waiting six to twelve months after launch saves significant money. The iPhone 14 launched at $799 in September 2022 and dropped to $499 by mid-2023 — a $300 discount.

Refurbished models from Apple's official refurbished store become available about three months after launch. These phones are returned units that Apple has tested, cleaned, and repackaged. They come with the same one-year warranty as new phones and cost 10 to 15 percent less than new.

Carrier trade-in deals also improve over time. The aggressive launch-day promotions fade after a few weeks, but carriers continue offering $200 to $400 trade-in credits throughout the year. If you can wait until November or December, you often find better deals than what was available in September.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I want to know the exact release date before Apple announces it?

Apple does not announce the date in advance. The company keeps the event date secret until about a week before it happens. Tech news sites like MacRumors and 9to5Mac publish educated guesses based on past patterns, but these are predictions, not confirmations. Once Apple sends out media invitations, the date is official.

Can I pre-order from my carrier instead of Apple's website?

Yes. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and other carriers open pre-orders at the same time as Apple. Ordering through your carrier can be useful if you want to bundle a trade-in deal or add a new line, but the phone itself costs the same. Delivery times are usually identical whether you order from Apple or your carrier.

Do all iPhone models get announced on the same day?

Yes. Apple announces all four models — the standard iPhone, the Plus, the Pro, and the Pro Max — during the same event. They all become available for pre-order on the same Friday and ship during the same week. There is no staggered release.

What happens if I want an iPhone but the new model is not out yet?

You can buy the current generation iPhone from Apple, carriers, or retailers like Best Buy and Amazon. Prices are full retail until the new generation launches, at which point they drop. If you need a phone now and the new model is weeks away, buying the current generation makes sense — you will not save much by waiting.

Do iPhones ever launch outside of September?

Rarely. The iPhone 12 launched in October 2020 due to pandemic delays. The iPhone XR launched in October 2018 because Apple staggered it after the iPhone XS. But these are exceptions. The standard pattern since 2014 has been September announcements and September or early October availability.