New iPhone launch date surfaces online, here’s what the phones could bring

Apple’s annual September ritual is fast approaching, and while the Cupertino giant is still playing coy with the calendar, we may already know when the next Apple iPhone will take the stage. Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming iPhone launch date and speculated specs and features.

New iPhone launch date surfaces online

According to a fresh Bloomberg report, the next iPhone launch event could take place on either September 8 (Monday) or September 9 (Tuesday) this year. That’s slightly off-pattern from Apple’s usual Tuesday-Wednesday reveals, but not entirely unprecedented.

And while nothing’s officially confirmed, the company is likely to skip September 11 out of respect for the historical weight of the date. So, the stage is set. But what exactly are we expecting Apple to unveil?

Next iPhone series: Everything known so far

The rumour mill has been on overdrive, and all signs point to the next iPhone Pro Max variant getting a serious battery boost. It will likely sport a 5,000mAh cell, the largest Apple’s ever packed into an iPhone. That’s according to tipster Instant Digital on Weibo, and if true, it could address one of the Pro Max crowd’s longest-standing gripes. But the upgrades don’t stop there.

The new iPhone Pro lineup is expected to go all-in on 48MP sensors. Yes, all three. That includes a new 48MP telephoto lens, a notable leap from last year’s 12MP shooter on the iPhone 16 Pro. The result? A triple-threat camera setup that finally brings parity across the board, especially for those leaning on Apple’s Pro models for content creation.

ALSO READ: Why the next iPhones will be worth the wait

Meanwhile, the non-Pro iPhones are also expected to get some love in the camera department, with dual 48MP sensors making their way to the base model. That’s a quiet but significant upgrade.

At the heart of the Pro models, we’re expecting the new A19 Pro chip, following last year’s A18 Pro. Reports also suggest a base 12GB of RAM for both the iPhone Pro and Pro Max; an expected move as Apple gears up for an AI-laced future, where on-device processing will play a much larger role.

The regular iPhone, however, may still be holding a few features back. While a 120Hz display is likely in the cards, don’t expect Apple’s ProMotion adaptive refresh rate tech to trickle down just yet.

There’s been some buzz around a new “Air” variant in the lineup; a potential lighter, more minimalist model. Apple’s keeping this card close to its chest for now, but the chatter suggests it’s already prepped for launch.

ALSO READ: Everything we know so far about the upcoming iPhone Air

But all these upgrades may come at a cost. Literally. The Pro variant is rumoured to start at Rs 1,39,900, a considerable jump from last year’s Rs 1,19,900 price tag. And the Pro Max? That could go as high as Rs 1,64,900, marking a Rs 20,000 hike from the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

For now, the countdown begins. And if Gurman’s timeline holds up, we’re less than two months away from finding out what Apple’s been building behind closed doors.