With Apple’s next major hardware event anticipated in less than a month, a detailed timeline for the iPhone 17 launch is coming into focus. The keynote, where the new smartphone series will be unveiled, is widely expected to take place on Tuesday, September 9.
Alongside the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple is also projected to announce the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and a potential update to the AirPods Pro. These new products will likely share the same release schedule as the flagship phone.
New analysis has also shed light on the public release date for iOS 26. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the software is performing well, with the latest developer beta described as “ridiculously snappy.” This stability suggests the final public version is nearing release. Following the pattern of last year’s iOS 18 launch, which occurred a week after the keynote, iOS 26 is now expected to become available on Monday, September 15, or Tuesday, September 16, around 10 a.m. Pacific. The software will come pre-installed on the iPhone 17 and will also be available as an update for devices as old as the iPhone 11.
Based on Apple’s established launch patterns, here is the projected schedule for the upcoming releases:
- Keynote Invitations: Press invitations are likely to be sent on Tuesday, August 26, around 8 a.m. Pacific. A recently circulated invitation image is considered a fake.
- Apple Keynote Event: The unveiling of the new hardware is expected on Tuesday, September 9, at 10 a.m. Pacific.
- Pre-orders Begin: Pre-orders for the new devices will likely open on Friday, September 12, at 5 a.m. Pacific.
- First Reviews Published: The embargo on iPhone 17 reviews is expected to lift on either Tuesday, September 16, or Wednesday, September 17, at 6 a.m. Pacific. Reviews for the new Apple Watch and AirPods Pro models will likely be published on subsequent days at the same time.
- In-Store Release Date: The new products are expected to arrive in stores and begin reaching customers on Friday, September 19, starting at 8 a.m. local time.
