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When Does the New iPhone Come Out?

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By Sam Costello Sam Costello Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 20, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

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Expand Jump to a Section When Does the New iPhone Come Out The Exception: The iPhone SE A Temporary Exception The iPhone X and XR When Should You Upgrade What Happens to Older Models Whether you're about to get your first smartphone, are planning to switch from Android, or are just looking forward to an upgrade from your current model, you probably have your eye on the newest iPhone. Whatever your situation you, of course, want to make the smart choice and buy the latest and greatest version. So the question is: When does the new iPhone come out? Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

When Does the New iPhone Come Out

Figuring out when the new iPhone comes out isn't an exact science — at least not until Apple makes an announcement of a release date. But, based on history, you can make an educated guess. Most likely, new iPhone models will come out in September or October every year (with a few possible exceptions, as we'll see). We can say this based on the release dates of previous iPhones: iPhone SE 3: March 2022 iPhone 13 Pro Max: September 2021
iPhone 13 Pro: September 2021
iPhone 13: September 2021
iPhone 13 Mini: September 2021 iPhone 12 Pro: October 2020
iPhone 12: October 2020
iPhone 12 Pro Max: November 2020
iPhone 12 Mini: November 2020
iPhone SE 2: April 2020 iPhone 11 Series: September 2019 iPhone XS and XS Max: September 2018 iPhone XR: October 2018 iPhone 8 series : September 2017 iPhone X: November 2017 iPhone SE: March 31, 2016 iPhone 7 series: September 2016 iPhone 6S series: September 2015 iPhone 6 series: September 2014 iPhone 5S & iPhone 5C: September 2013 iPhone 5: September 2012 iPhone 4S: October 2011 iPhone 4: June 2010 iPhone 3GS: June 2009 iPhone 3G: July 2008 iPhone: June 2007 As you can see, the first four iPhones were released in June or July. That changed with the release of the iPhone 4S. This change seems to be due to the new iPad models often being released in March or April and Apple not wanting to release its flagship products so close together (though in recent years iPad release cycles have become less predictable). While it was unclear at that time whether the fall release of the iPhone 4S was a one-time thing, with the September release of the iPhone 5 and almost all subsequent models arriving in September, it seems likely that all new iPhone models will now be released in the fall. Want to know what Apple has in store for future iPhone models? Check out our collection of the latest iPhone rumors.

The Exception to the Fall Release Schedule The iPhone SE

The fall release schedule for new iPhones held true for 5 years, but the March 31, 2016, release of the iPhone SE threw that pattern into doubt. The idea that there may be an occasional new iPhone in the spring was supported with the release of the second-generation iPhone SE in April 2020 and the third-generation in March 2022. So, it seems that Apple does view the spring as its time to release lower-cost iPhones, but note that it's been years between SE versions.

A Temporary Exception The iPhone X and XR

The iPhone X presents its own exception, given its November release date. It's a good bet that that date won't last, though. Rumor had it that Apple had to push the release of the X to November due to difficulty in manufacturing some of the new components in the phone. As those components become easier to manufacture, we bet future versions of the X will debut in September, too. Plus, while the iPhone X didn't actually hit the streets until November, it was announced in September at the same time as the iPhone 8 series. Throwing a slight wrench into the new-iPhone-every-September rule is also the iPhone XR, with its October release date. Still, that model was announced in September, at the same time as the iPhone XS and XS Max, so people were at least aware of that model, and could wait to buy it if they wanted, starting in September. The release of the iPhone 12 series could mark a shift in the September release window for new models. The four iPhone 12 models were released in late October and mid-November 2020. Those delays may have had as much to do with manufacturing delays as Apple's preferred schedule, so we'll need to wait until 2021 to see if this move represents a permanent change.

When Should You Upgrade

The other important question is whether you should wait for the release of a new iPhone model before you upgrade. If you're considering upgrading anytime in the first half of a year, we recommend waiting until September when new models are announced and older models get discounted. Since we can say with some confidence that the new iPhone models will come out every September, it makes sense to wait until at least mid-September if you're planning to upgrade. After all, why buy a phone that won't be the latest and greatest in just a couple months (or weeks!) if you could get the newest thing by waiting? Your decision will be driven by whether your current phone can last that long — probably not, if it's broken or malfunctioning, for instance — but if you can wait until fall, do so. And then you can enjoy the new iPhone.

What Happens to Older Models

While everyone likes to get the latest and greatest, it's worth paying attention to what happens to older models when Apple releases new ones. In most cases, last year's top-of-the-line model sticks around at a lower price. For example, when Apple introduced the iPhone 7 series, it discontinued the 6 series, but still offered the 6S and SE, with the price of the 6S being cut by $100 per model. So, if you're ready to upgrade but are also looking for a deal, it can be a good idea to wait until Apple releases a new model and then snap up last year's best model for a lower price. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Where to Download iPhone Manuals for Every Model iPhone SE Plus: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors What is the Newest iPhone? (2022) iOS 16: News, Price, Release Date, and Features Compare Every iPhone Model Ever Made The Next Apple Event: Dates, News, Rumors, and Everything Else To Know iPhone 13: Release Date, Specs, Price, and News iPhone 15: News, Rumors, and Estimated Price, Release Date, and Specs Apple Watch Series 8: Release Date, Specs, Price, and News Apple Watch: Everything You Need to Know Nintendo Switch Pro: News, Rumors, and Expected Price, Release Date, and Specs New iPad mini Pro: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors How to Restart an iPhone (All Models) All About the Apple iPhone X How to Get a Great Deal on the iPod touch Meta (Oculus) Quest 3: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies