Apple confirms new iPhones won't arrive on time this year

Today, during Apple’s quarterly earnings call, the company’s CFO Luca Maestri confirmed that the upcoming series of 2020 iPhones won’t release on time (via TechCrunch). That means the iPhone 12 release date could come as late as October.

For years now, Apple has launched the newest iPhones in early September and then made the phones available for general sale by the end of the month (usually two weeks after the launch event). Maestri said that, compared to last year’s iPhone 11 series, this year’s iPhone 12 series will “be available a few weeks later.”

iPhone 12 release date rumors

Now, Maestri didn’t divulge much information here. However, it is very unlike Apple to be so upfront with even this little bit of information. For example, the company hadn’t even confirmed publically that there would even be an iPhone launch this year. Obviously, we can safely assume as much, but for Apple to confirm it this way is a bit odd.

Related: Apple iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro: Everything we know

What does this mean as far as the iPhone 12 release date? As of now, we assume Apple will continue with its usual launch plans, which would mean an event likely happening in early September. However, it might be October or later before the iPhones are available in stores.

While this is definitely not the usual way Apple does things, it’s not unfounded. For example, when Apple announced the iPhone X at its September event, the phone didn’t actually hit store shelves until November. However, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus announced the same day did hit store shelves at the usual time.

For all the latest on the iPhone 12 release date, specs, and other rumors, check out our hub here.