Thus far, September has been the expected launch month for the iPhone 6, a logical assumption considering Apple’s past behavior. Traditionally, the new iPhone is introduced on an appointed date in September and launched sometime before the end of the month. This year, however, sources are saying that the iPhone 6 may not launch until October.
Now this is all just speculation. MacRumors cites an internal Apple retail store meeting:
Apple may be planning to launch the iPhone 6 on Tuesday, October 14…according to a source that spoke to MacRumors citing an internal Apple Retail Store meeting. The source notes that a senior Store Leader mentioned October 14th as being an “immense” day for Apple, adding that the whole month of October would be very busy for stores and the company itself.
One of the unusual aspects of this decision is that the iPhone 6 will probably still debut in September. Apparently, Apple has planned to hold a media event on the 16th, a perfect opportunity to unveil its newest phone. With its long-used strategy, the company usually gets to wrap up its fiscal fourth quarter with a nice revenue boost from all those iPhone sales. If the next generation phone is not being launched until October, the financial results of Apple’s fourth quarter are going to take a hit.
Another odd thing about the late launch is the day on which it falls: a Tuesday. Typically, the next generation phone hits store shelves on a Friday so that Apple can take advantage of the weekend sales rush. Not this year. According to our source, the company wants to launch “early in the week rather than waiting until Friday due to large customer demand and a hefty supply of the product as a result of increased production.”
At any rate, we don’t know for sure whether the launch really will be postponed until October 14. What we do know is that Apple truly will be having a busy month, most likely introducing iOS 8, OS X Yosemite, the new iPad Air and Mini, and perhaps even an iWatch.