New iPhone Units Reportedly In U.S. Ahead of iPhone 5S Event

Apple is reportedly stockpiling new iPhone units in the U.S. to prepare for a swift iPhone 5S release after next week’s iPhone Event at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino California.

Apple is well-known for releasing new iPhone models shortly after announcing them, so it isn’t surprising to hear that the company has plans to get the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C into the U.S. and ready to head to retail stores soon, but this could also point to more devices in stock on the iPhone 5S release date.

Several rumors point to an iPhone 5S release date on September 20th, 10 days after the iPhone event Apple just sent out invites for. This date lines up with the timing of previous launches and would make sense as the day the new iPhone arrives in Apple Stores, carriers and retail locations across the U.S. and in other countries.

MacRumors claims the new iPhone models are already in the U.S. waiting for distribution to carriers and retail partners. MacRumors states the rumor comes from a reliable source, and the publication is generally good at delivering trustworthy Apple rumors.

The account claims some of the new iPhone models are on the way to the U.S., but does not differentiate between the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C.

Another rumor from C Technology on Weibo claims 1.2 million iPhone 5C units shipped to the U.S. yesterday, which would offer enough time for Apple to get them from the warehouses to carriers in time for a new iPhone release on September 20th.

These rumors come after multiple photos appeared online showing what appears to be iPhone 5C packaging. A leaked iPhone 5S box from last month turned out to be a fake created by a student.

Early reports from Apple supply chain sources claimed we could expect an iPhone 5S shortages during the September release date timing, with one report suggesting Apple would only have 3 million iPhone 5S units on hand in September, despite selling 5 million iPhone 5 units during opening weekend in 2012.

If Apple is stockpiling iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C units in the U.S. already the new iPhone shortage rumors could be overblown. There are always lines and pre-order sell outs (for release day delivery) during the new iPhone releases so these rumors don’t predict a completely smooth process, but if Apple has a large number of new iPhone units available it could help consumers end up with the color and size options they want.

The new iPhone models are likely to include an iPhone 5S that looks much like the iPhone 5 and a plastic iPhone 5C that comes in multiple colors. Rumors suggest both models will use a 4-inch Retina Display and we expect to see iOS 7 on board. Watch the iPhone 5S video above for a rundown of other iPhone 5S rumors.