Connect with us

Apple

iPhone 5S Release Date: What Not to Expect

Published

on

Apple is all but confirmed to be hosting an iPhone 5S launch event on September 10th. And it’s at that event, that consumers should finally hear about the upcoming iPhone 5S release date, a date that many consumers have been looking forward to for quite some time.

While the Cupertino-based company still isn’t ready to tell consumers, and the media, about its plans for the next iPhone, there have been plenty of birds doing the chirping for it. Nothing is set in stone of course, but the clues are right there in front of us and it’s looking like Apple will be making an iPhone announcement in the next few weeks.

Read: iPhone 5S Release Date: What to Expect.

No media invites have been sent out yet but smart money is on a September 10th iPhone 5S launch date, likely at a venue in Northern California, right in Apple’s backyard and a place where Apple tends to announce its new products. The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco is a good bet as it’s a place where Apple has made many of its big announcements.

It’s at that event where consumers will hear all of the pertinent details about Apple’s iPhone 5 successor, heavily rumored to be the iPhone 5S, an ‘S’ model iPhone. The device is expected to boast a number of changes including a new processor, new camera, and a fingerprint reader while retaining the same design and screen size as the previous model.

Apple is also thought to have another iPhone model up its sleeve with an iPhone 5C rumored for arrival as well. The device is expected to have a 4-inch Retina Display and a Lightning port, something that would unify Apple’s devices for things like aspect ratio and accessories.

Both devices are expected to run versions of Apple’s new iOS 7 software which the company will almost certainly detail at the show.

Consumers should also expect to hear about a release date for the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C as Apple typically reveals the date at the show, something that its competitors do not do.

Ahead of the iPhone 5S launch, it’s time to take an in depth look at what not to expect from the iPhone 5S release date when it arrives later on this year.

iPhone 5S Release Date in October

Don’t expect the iPhone 5S release date to emerge in October. There is a rumor out there suggesting that Apple will be releasing both the iPhone 5C and the iPhone 5S on October 25th. Don’t expect this to happen.

apple-yerba-beuna-event-2012-575x382

The iPhone 5S should arrive in September.

For one, counter-rumors suggest that the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C will land on September 20th. And second, Apple typically releases its iPhone just a few short weeks after it launches, around two to be exact.

Don’t expect Apple to do anything differently with the iPhone 5S. Getting the device out shortly after launch is one of the company’s strengths and it’s something that delights its users. And Apple loves to do that too.

Zero Frustrated Buyers

Of course, the iPhone 5S release date isn’t going the be a delight for everyone. Apple does a great job of feeding consumers the information they need but it still hasn’t mastered the art of the perfect release. The iPhone 5 release date was bogged down by complaints from pre-orderers who saw problems with shipments and encountered release day issues through retailers like Best Buy.

Don't expect all iPhone 5S buyers to be happy.

Don’t expect all iPhone 5S buyers to be happy.

We can’t say what will happen with the iPhone 5S release but there will more than likely be some rotten eggs that emerge in the days between the launch and release and on the release date itself. And if we had to guess, we’d expect a lot of that frustration to center around lack of stock at retailers on release day, problems with pre-orders through carriers, and long lines at the Apple Store.

Same iPhone 5 & iPhone 4S Deals

The iPhone 5S is expected to cause a change amongst Apple’s current iPhone lineup. Right now, the company offers the iPhone 5 starting at $199.99, the iPhone 4S at $99 and the iPhone 4 for free on contract. If Apple was simply releasing the iPhone 5S, the lineup change would be easy to predict and would likely look like this:

  • iPhone 5S – $199.99
  • iPhone 5 – $99.99
  • iPhone 4S – Free

Problem is, Apple is expected to announce two iPhone models, the iPhone 5S and the cheaper iPhone 5C.

It’s still not clear if the iPhone 5C will make it to regions like the United States but there are some credible sources claiming that it will replace at least one of Apple’s current iPhones. The iPhone 5, the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 have all been mentioned and thus far, we lean towards the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 getting the cut.

The iPhone 5C is expected to join Apple's iPhone 5S.

The iPhone 5C is expected to join Apple’s iPhone 5S.

If that plays out, it could be that the iPhone 5 drops to $99 and the iPhone 5C is offered for free on-contract at at least some U.S. carriers. So at this point, given the rumors, it’s best not to expect the same price bump to occur in the U.S. or elsewhere.

Major Carriers Missing

Don’t expect any major carriers to be missing on launch day. AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon will certainly have the iPhone 5S available as soon as possible and we expect T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular to have it available on release day as well.

Don't expect major U.S. carriers to be missing on day one.

Don’t expect major U.S. carriers to be missing on day one.

U.S. Cellular said earlier this year that it would be carrying the iPhone later in the year and given that it hasn’t announced the iPhone 5, it should be getting the iPhone 5S. We expect it to join T-Mobile and the other usual suspects at launch.

Different Prices

Don’t expect there to be different prices across retailers that offer contracts. The iPhone typically arrives for the same price across the board. It’s unclear if the iPhone 5S will cost $199.99 when it arrives but even if it doesn’t, expect the prices to be consistent across all major carriers that offer Apple’s brand new iPhone.

Immediate Price Drops

This isn’t an Android release date which means that there likely won’t be any immediate price drops available on day one. Instead, the iPhone 5S price will likely be the same at places where it’s available. That’s not to say that there won’t be any iPhone 5S deals that emerge, it’s just that consumers should expect them to arrive on day one.

Instead, look for deals to emerge near Black Friday as the iPhone 5S attempts to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4 and HTC One for attention.

Lack of Accessories

Don’t expect a lack of accessories on the iPhone 5S release date. Those who are looking to accessorize their smartphone with docks, cases or otherwise should find a host of options available upon the device’s release.

Expect a wealth of iPhone 5S accessories available on release day.

Expect a wealth of iPhone 5S accessories available on release day.

The iPhone 5S should retain a similar design which means that it will have a Lightning dock and dimensions that are just about the same. If true, older accessories should work with the iPhone 5S.

We also expect accessory makers to have iPhone 5S specific accessories lined up for day one as companies look to capitalize on the millions on consumers buying into Apple’s new product.

Familiar Color Options

Finally, don’t expect the same color options that you’re used to. Rumor has it, the iPhone 5S will not only be coming in black and white but also in a new champagne gold color. The device is likely going to be available on day one alongside the other options and give consumers their first non-white and black iPhone option ever.

Apple is expected to debut a gold iPhone 5S.

Apple is expected to debut a gold iPhone 5S.

Of course, the device isn’t expected an all-gold frame. Instead, the device is expected to have a white front plate with an aluminum gold back plate.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Stu

    08/22/2013 at 7:25 am

    How many times can you write ‘don’t expect’ in an article?

  2. rain

    08/22/2013 at 7:47 am

    So When’s the iphone 5s coming out exactly?

  3. Bernard

    08/22/2013 at 8:17 am

    Will the 5s have the surf and talk capability on the Verizon network

    • Scott

      08/22/2013 at 12:39 pm

      I hope so.. that’s the info I’ve been looking for.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.