Apple's iPhone 13 5G is still on track for a September release

The global pandemic severely impacted the smartphone development cycle last year and Apple was no exception. It was forced to delay the 5G iPhone 12’s release until October and November, but with the iPhone 13 series everything seems to be going according to plan.

The iPhone 13 will be released in late September, says analyst

Recent supply chain checks by analyst Daniel Ives of Wedbush (via 9to5Mac) show that Apple’s iPhone 13 line is currently on track for release in the third week of September, which suggests that shipments might start on Friday, September 17.

That fits in perfectly with Apple’s usual September iPhone launch timeline and ultimately hints at an event a week or so before. If history is anything to go by, the iPhone 13 event might take place on Tuesday, September 7.

However, some form of delay still can’t be completely ruled out. Daniel Ives warns that “product model tweaks” could push the release of at least some iPhone 13 5G models to the start of October.

If that happens, it wouldn’t be the first time Apple has staggered its launches. The iPhone XR hit shelves in October 2018, around a month after the iPhone XS duo were released. Apple also launched the iPhone X in November 2017, over a month after shipping the iPhone 8.

Apple to build 100 million iPhone 13 units

With regards to demand, there are reports floating around about a so-called supercycle led by the iPhone 12 5G, and Daniel Ives doesn’t see demand weakening with the iPhone 13 launch.

Apple is reportedly expected to build 100 million iPhone 13 units later this year, around 25% more than the iPhone 12. Once again, the driving force behind demand is said to be the growing interest in 5G smartphones from both customers and carriers.