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Apple's 2020 iPhones Said to Launch Starting in Late October Due to Coronavirus Delays

Apple's 2020 iPhone lineup won't launch until late October, according to a new report from Japanese site Mac Otakara that cites sources in the Chinese supply chain.

iphone12dummylineup

iPhone 12 dummy models

Apple has historically held all of its modern iPhone unveilings during the first few weeks of September, with iPhones launching soon after for the most part, but this year, the release could be pushed back due to production delays caused by the ongoing public health crisis.

There have been multiple rumors suggesting delays thus far, so it seems that some or all of the 2020 iPhones will be coming later than September. Apple may still unveil all of its iPhones in September, but launch the devices later than expected.

There is precedent for a delayed launch after announcement as Apple's iPhone XR in 2018 was announced in September and then launched in late October.

According to Mac Otakara, Apple's LTE iPhone 12 models will be released in October, while 5G models will follow in November.

‌Mac Otakara‌ has something of a mixed track record when it comes to rumors as if often sources Apple's supply chain which is not always accurate, but we have now heard several rumors about delayed launch dates, so we can expect at least some if not all of Apple's 2020 iPhones to come later in the year than normal.

We're expecting four iPhone variants in 2020, including lower-cost 5.4 and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 models and higher-end 6.1 and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro models. Everything we know about what to expect from the 2020 iPhone lineup can be found in our iPhone 12 roundup.

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Top Rated Comments

76 months ago
I’ll wait until Apple says what they’re doing.

The number of predictions and re-predictions has become old.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
76 months ago

I don’t believe it. iPhone is one thing that Apple rarely, if ever, delays. Perhaps there will be a staggered launch but no iPhones until late October? Not buying it.
We've also never had a pandemic like this in our lifetime.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NickName99 Avatar
76 months ago

Dear iPhone 8 / SE users: I dare you to resist upgrading to the 5.4"...
I won’t be the least bit tempted to trade in my 2020 SE until COVID-19 vaccinations are widespread in the US, obviating the need for masks. Until then I’d much rather continue enjoying TouchID on this fantastic little phone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
76 months ago
Maybe they'll launch one in orange for Halloween.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Homme Avatar
76 months ago
Ah but one piece of info which could just prove Mac oktara wrong is that they said iPhone 12 with LTE modems will ship first before the 5G ones

um but all iPhone 12 models are to be shipped with some sort of 5G. Where are they getting that some will come with LTE from considering no one else has made that claim
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dwalls90 Avatar
76 months ago
There’s a global pandemic, and people are complaining about getting their iPhone a month later than most past years? I‘d also like to remind people that we’ve had many October iPhone launches before, so this shouldn’t be a huge surprise.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)