In what seems an unlikely idea, a research note from KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple could first show this year’s iPhone models in August, before making them available for sale in September, reports The China Post.
While Kuo has a good track-record at forecasting what Apple is planning, his record on when things will happen is less reliable, so we view this prediction with caution …
Kuo said that Apple is expected to unveil the next iPhones in August, a month earlier than the market had widely anticipated. The new devices are expected to hit store shelves in September.
The China Post report says that the phones would be available in-store in September, leaving a theoretical possibility that Apple could begin with online sales in August, but this would seem even less likely. Retail head Angela Ahdrendts has previously told staff that the “completely new approach” of an online-only sales period was specifically for the watch (and in part the new MacBook due to supply).
The research note also repeats predictions made previously by Kuo that the new models will get Force Touch screens as per the Apple Watch, and will not include a new 4-inch model. Kuo’s earlier note also suggested an additional rose gold color option to match the Apple Watch Edition, a 12MP camera, an additional microphone to improve voice quality, a RAM boost to 2GB, stronger casing and improved Touch ID.
Are we going to launch every product this way from now on? No. We all love those blockbuster Apple product launch days—and there will be many more to come.
Kuo also referred to support for new gestures, something that would have to be supported by an upgrade to iOS.
Foxconn is expected to secure 60-70% of orders, and to be the sole supplier for the long-rumored iPad Pro, which he says is likely to launch in the final quarter. If so, an iPad event in October would be the obvious time.
The last product Apple launched during August was a Mac Pro refresh back in 2010.
