September 21, 2012 is looking increasingly likely as the release date for the next-gen iPhone and upcoming iPad mini, as a new report from a trusted site pegs the date.
According to a report from Rene Richie at iMore, sources tell them that Apple will debut the new iPhone on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, releasing it nine days later on Friday the 21st.
We’ve heard this date repeated independently three times by three different sites now, so it’s starting to look like there’s some fire accompanying the smoke.
Over the last couple of years, Apple has tended to release new iOS devices nine or ten days after they have been announced, so these two dates make internal sense. The only question is whether or not Apple would release a new iPhone before October, which is when they launched the iPhone 4S.
I think there’s a strong argument that they will. The Q3 2012 earnings call made it clear that sales of the iPhone 4S are starting to stall as more and more customers hold off and wait for the iPhone 5. Releasing the iPhone 5 in September instead of October lets Apple put iPhone 5 launch sales on its fiscal Q4 2012 earnings sheet, as well as give people more time to buy the device before Christmas.
As for the iPad mini, iMore says that they’re hearing it will be released at the same event, and will be exactly like the 9.7-inch iPad, except scaled down to 7.85-inches. They also hear that all new iOS devices will get a 19-pin dock connector.
Update: Multiple sites have also confirmed the September 12th media event date. Mark your calendars!
Source: iMore
