The launch event for the next Apple iPhone will take place on 6 or 7 September, according to new rumours.
Mobile reporter at Venturebeat.com, Evan Blass, who has a reputation for reporting rumours of this kind, had previously said that the device would be available on the week of 12 September.
He has now said that he has confirmed that pre-orders would be available for pre-order from 9 September.
Blass added cryptically that people could extrapolate the launch event date from the pre-order date. Last year the event took place on 9 September, a Wednesday, with the device available for pre-order three days later and on sale from 25 September.
This means that the launch event is likely to take place on 6 or 7 September, as 5 September is Labour Day. Apple will most likely send out invites confirming the launch date in August.
The Apple event in September is a firm fixture of the Autumn season, and the annual cranking up of the rumour mill in the preceding weeks is fast becoming one as well.
In general, Apple tends to launch new generations of the iPhone every two years, with the iPhone 6S appearing in September 2015. This means that the launch of the iPhone 7 is widely expected.
However, German tech news site Apfelpage has reported rumours suggesting that it may be called the iPhone SE instead.
Apart from purported leaks about the aesthetics of the device, one of the more notable rumours about the features of the new device suggests that it may not have a headphone socket, meaning that users will have to use wireless headsets.
The news about the launch date comes as Apple reportedly sells its billionth iPhone. The milestone was announced by CEO Tim Cook at an employee meeting in Cupertino.
Cook said that iPhone had become one of the “most important, world-changing and successful products in history”, claiming the product was “truly an essential part of our daily life and enables much of what we do throughout the day.”
He said: “Last week we passed another major milestone when we sold the billionth iPhone. We never set out to make the most, but we’ve always set out to make the best products that make a difference. Thank you to everyone at Apple for helping change the world every day."
