iPhone 5S Release Date Reportedly Set for September with iPhone 5C

The iPhone 5S release date is set for September alongside a budget iPhone 5Crelease date according to a new report that cites sources inside Hon Hai Precision, better known as Foxconn, a known Apple partner that hand-assembles the iPhone and iPad.

Apple is working on a flagship iPhone 5S with a design similar to the iPhone 5 and a budget plastic iPhone 5C with many iPhone 5 features according to the latest rumors.

Several previous leaks point to a Gold iPhone 5S option, a fingerprint reader on the iPhone 5S and a special iPhone event on September 10th. Rumors of an iPhone 5S event for September did not include confirmation of an iPhone 5C, but analyst notes point to a budget iPhone that comes in a variety of colors for between $300 and $500 off contract.

The iPhone 5S release date is expected in September alongside an iPhone 5C.

In a report from The Wall Street Journal, we learn that Hon Hai Precision Industry is prepared to start shipping two iPhone models in September.

The Journal sidesteps the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C names, but this report suggests Apple will stick to its well-known launch and release timeline which helps us predict the iPhone 5S release date.

Apple’s timing is likely designed to steal the spotlight from the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, which rumors suggest will launch on September 4th at IFA 2013 in Berlin. Samsung is reportedly putting the Galaxy Note 3 release on a fast track, to start shipping the phone in early to mid-September.

iPhone 5S Release Date in September: More Evidence

Apple’s earning’s guidance previously pointed to a iPhone 5S release by mid-September. An analysis from BTIG claims that Apple can only hit the revenue guidance with a new product launch in September, and that the profit margins listed point to that new product being an iPhone, not an iPad.

Walter Piecyk of BTIG issued the following commentary in July;

“We don’t think that Apple can hit its newly issued revenue guidance for the September quarter unless it launches new products.

…

margin guidance also likely indicates that the new product launch this quarter will be an iPhone and not a lower margin iPad.”

In today’s report, The Wall Street Journal cites well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI securities, who predicts Apple will sell a significant number of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C units in September.

Kuo believes Apple will sell over 5 million iPhone 5S units and over 8.5 million iPhone 5C units before the end of the third Quarter on September 30th. One previous leak indicates the iPhone 5S fingerprint sensor is the root of production issues that could limit the iPhone 5S release date supplies to 3-4 million.

Apple sold 5 million iPhone 5 units on opening weekend in 2012, so a prediction of 5.2 million iPhone 5S sales in September is not out of line if production can keep up.

iPhone 5S Release Date Timing

Possible iPhone 5S release date timing.

If Apple is planning an iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C event for September 10th, and with the multiple sources pointing to an iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S release in September we can work out likely iPhone 5S and 5C release dates.

Based on Apple’s previous timing, the iPhone 5S release date is likely on track for September 20th, which would allow Apple to announce the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S on the 10th, start taking pre-orders on the 13th and release an iOS 7 update on the 18th.

All in time to deliver an iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S release on the 20th. This would allow Apple to sell the iPhone 5S for roughly a week before the end of September and the end of Apple’s 2013 Q4 financial quarter.

The iPhone 5S release date on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint will likely be the same. We could see the US Cellular iPhone 5S arrive at the same time or with a short delay.

The iPhone 5S will reportedly look a lot like the iPhone 5 with a new gold color option, a 128GB storage option and an improved camera with a dual LED flash. The iPhone 5S will likely include a 4-inch Retina Display and a new Apple A7 processor.

An iPhone 5C is reportedly arriving with multiple color options in a plastic body with a 4-inch Retina Display and Lightning connector. The iPhone 5C could replace the iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S in App[e’s lineup according to multiple rumors.