iPhone 5 in Final Testing, Due in September

Apple was careful about managing expectations heading into the WWDC keynote. A week before the keynote, they spelled out exactly what they would talk about (OS X Lion, iOS 5, and iCloud) and also specifically omitted any reference to new hardware. We believe the reason for the candor was the public expectation that the WWDC keynote has always been the launchpad for the new iPhone.

151219 iphone5render 500
iPhone mockup by blkr

Instead, rumors have been persistent that the next iPhone would be released in the September timeframe. Reuters detailed the timeline back in April:

Apple Inc suppliers will begin production of its next-generation iPhone in July this year, with the finished product likely to begin shipping in September, three people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Right on schedule, we are now hearing from 9to5Mac that the iPhone 5 has reached the final testing stage and should be ready in time for a September launch.

Their source must be based in Verizon as they claim that it's not clear when Verizon will support 3G FaceTime, and reportedly some negotiations about the details of over-the-air updates remain ongoing. Verizon iPhones have strangely been left somewhat behind in software updates, still only able to support iOS 4.2.8 as the highest version. iOS 5 will consolidate the codebase across all iPhone models when it is released this fall.

Tag: 9to5Mac

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
prioritize notifications ios 18 4

Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 1

Friday February 21, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Apple finally released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers for testing purposes, and while the beta is lacking some of the Apple Intelligence features we were hoping for, there are some notable new additions. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Priority Notifications - Apple Intelligence There is a new Priority Notifications feature that can show you your most...
ios 18 4 ambient music

iOS 18.4 Adds New Ambient Music Feature

Friday February 21, 2025 11:06 am PST by
In iOS 18.4, there's a new Ambient Music option that can be added to Control Center. There are four different sound categories, including Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Each category can be added to Control Center separately, and tapping one plays a random selection of sounds or music from that particular category. You can't choose what's playing from Control Center, but if...
iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Denies Speculation Surrounding iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe

Friday February 21, 2025 8:01 am PST by
Apple has confirmed that its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e has nothing to do with the device's lack of MagSafe support, according to Macworld. Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, there was some speculation online about how MagSafe magnets might have interfered with the C1 modem's cellular connectivity performance, and this was considered to be a potential reason for the...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...

Top Rated Comments

Aduntu Avatar
179 months ago
Do they really mean the iPhone 5 is coming or are they talking about the iPhone 4s?

Comments like these just baffle me.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stang Avatar
179 months ago
Final testing, you say?

Let's hit the bars, fellas. There's bound to be a few in the wild somewhere.

brb cupertino bars.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FoxHoundADAM Avatar
179 months ago
That's a nice mock-up. I was going to do one until I googled iPhone 4 and called it good.

Regardless Apple will have to change something about the general appearance to "show" consumers" it is different. Doesn't have to be major but just something.

BTW if I hear one more 3GS user complain about being on their last leg I will scream. Try a 3G in iOS4.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleguy123 Avatar
179 months ago
Do they really mean the iPhone 5 is coming or are they talking about the iPhone 4s?

I think that 9to5Mac are stupid when they say it will be called the 4s. Apple wouldn't get their numbers out of synch again.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wordoflife Avatar
179 months ago
Yay. :)


Do they really mean the iPhone 5 is coming or are they talking about the iPhone 4s?
It doesn't matter what they decide to call it, but they are referring to the 5th generation iPhone.


Verizon JUST got the iPhone and they're already trying to screw their customers....
You mean to say that customers are getting screwed with each new Android that comes out every week?


This needs to hurry up - my 3GS is on it's last legs as it is ;-) An announcement date would at least let me know how much to spend on my 'get by till then' phone :)
Same! I want it now!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aa521490 Avatar
179 months ago
Sweet. Now I can retire my iPhone 3G.:)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)