Updated Sept. 8 with more details of the schedule up to and including release date.
Are you ready? Tuesday, Sept. 9 will see Apple’s big event of the year, and it’s expected to announced a lot of products, including four radically different iPhones. Here’s what’s happening between now and the onsale date, down to the minute.
Apple Special Event
Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Confirmed
First up is the keynote, held at Apple’s Steve Jobs Theater.
If you’re not invited, here’s how to watch. The keynote will announce the products and confirm when they will go on sale, and for how much.
Apple iOS 26 Beta Release Candidate
Tuesday, Sept. 9 at around 12 p.m. Pacific To be confirmed at the keynote
The final beta of the iPhone software is usually released straight after the keynote, which can last up to two hours. Release won’t happen during the keynote but some time the same day.
Apple iPhone 17 Pre-Orders Open
Friday, Sept. 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific To be confirmed at the keynote
Wednesday and Thursday will see press commentary in terms of first impressions and responses to the design, pricing and so on. Then on Friday, pre-orders will open.
Previously, Apple has allowed users to log onto apple.com the night before pre-orders, in this case Thursday, Sept. 11 and choose the exact item they’re interested in such as model storage capacity and color. They can put the item in their shopping bag ready for pre-orders going live on the Friday, having saved valuable minutes the night before. Then, they can buy as soon as the pre-orders launch.
It’s not yet whether Apple will allow the same set up this year but I’ll update this post as soon as it becomes known.
iOS 26 Goes On General Release
Monday, Sept. 16 10 a.m. To be confirmed
If you want to try out the new iPhone software before deciding if you’re going to plump for a new phone, then this is an important day for you. All iPhones from the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max onwards are compatible with the new software, which has drawn a lot of attention because of its eye-catching Liquid Glass design and numerous new features. Initial Reviews
Tuesday, Sept. 17 or Wednesday, Sept. 18 5 a.m. To be confirmed
Last year, the first iPhone reviews appeared on the Wednesday in the week after the keynote. It could be the same this year, or it could be that Apple will choose the Tuesday instead. Whichever it chooses, Apple Watch reviews are likely to appear on the other day.
If another rumor proves accurate, that AirPods Pro are in the offing, these will likely have reviews go live on the Monday. These exact dates are subject to change but for certain all reviews will appear before the release date rolls around.Apple iPhone 17 Release Date
Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 a.m. local time To be confirmed at the keynote
At last, the waiting will be over and the first iPhones will be in customers’ hands.
Since the sales are locked to local time, those customers in countries like New Zealand and Australia will be the first, while the U.S. will be later. This means that some customers may post their own photos and reviews long before others are able to get their hands on the new iPhones. And then, we’re done, so, what do you think the iPhone 18 will be like…
Too early?
