Apple reveals September date for anticipated launch of iPhone 8

28 Aug 2017

An Apple store in Honolulu, Hawaii. Image: 1000 Words/Shutterstock

Apple has announced the date for its next big hardware launch in September, which is almost guaranteed to include the iPhone 8.

It’s that time of year again as Apple fanatics prepare for the launch of the next iteration of the iPhone.

This year, though, things could be a bit different with the tech giant expected to jump straight to the iPhone 8.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has set a product announcement date of 12 September for the launch, with three variations of the phone thought to be revealed.

For the past few years, Apple has decided to spread its iPhones over two years, with a standard version and an improved ‘S’ version the following year.

But, with this being the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, the expectation is that this launch will include the iPhone 8, as well as an iPhone 7S and a bigger iPhone 7S Plus.

Leaked images for the iPhone 8 suggest that Apple plans to make its anniversary phone significantly different than before, most noticeably with an all-screen phone and removal of the familiar home button.

It is also set to come with facial recognition technology for unlocking and other smart features, expanding upon the fingerprint sensors that came before it.

Expecting high demand

The confirmation of a date in September will come as welcome relief to investors who have been hearing for months of rumours that the phone’s hardware was proving problematic and that a delay was inevitable.

However, questions remain over the company’s ability to cater to the expected demand, similar to what happened when the iPhone 6 was launched, where many customers were left waiting weeks for their new phone.

Based on a recent customer survey from 451 Research, more than half of current iPhone owners in the US said they expected to buy a new iPhone in what would be the highest demand for the phone since 2010.

One problem remaining for Apple is the venue choice, as it hopes to mark the anniversary by hosting it in the Steve Jobs Theater at its headquarters.

However, as the venue remains unfinished, there will either be a major rush for completion in time, or Apple will have to use its older venue in San Francisco.

An Apple store in Honolulu, Hawaii. Image: 1000 Words/Shutterstock

Colm Gorey was a senior journalist with Silicon Republic

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