A new iPhone 5S report suggests its launch could be during Verizon and T-Mobile blackout dates. Last week Verizon’s employee blackout dates, barring them from vacation from September 21 though September 30, was discovered by TechCrunch but yesterday T-Mobile was realized to be implementing a similar blackout during some of that same timeline. Translation? The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C launch could be confirmed for September 20.
The blackout dates signify something big is in store as Verizon and T-Mobile are calling for all hands on deck. But really the only thing that people are expecting to drop on September 20 is Apple’s next-generation iPhone 5S and low-cost iPhone 5C.
A similar recent report pegged the iPhone 5S availability in Japan on September 20 which all but confirms the launch. Last year, Apple offered its initial wave of iPhone 5 smartphones on September 21 to a group of markets that included both Japan and the United States and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
T-Mobiles blackout dates became known yesterday when fan blog TmoNews cited September 20 through the 22nd as completely unavailable for employees to take leave. Naturally the article suggests that Apple enthusiasts and iPhone users take the speculation with a grain of salt because it’s, well, speculation. Launches and releases are always subject to change and seeing as how Apple still hasn’t made any announcement, confirmation, or comment whatsoever I’d recommend eyeing any of those blackout dates as the launch event.
Apple is also rumored to host a press event on September 10, a typical ten days before the alleged launch and snugly coincidental with past product launch timelines, though that too has yet to be confirmed by those over in Cupertino, CA.
As for price and specs, just as little is known about how much Apple plans to charge for whatever is mysteriously running under the hoods of both upcoming devices. However, leaked photos suggest that Apple is gearing up for the inauguration of a new gold or champagne colored iPhone 5S complete with up to 128GB of internal storage along with a new 64-bit A7 processing chip. This is certainly a step up from the A6 which produces less wireless bandwidth.
The iPhone 5S will also carry a 4-inch IGZO display, a 12MP rear-facing camera, dual-LED flash with /2.0 lens, and a convex home button used to house an authentication fingerprint sensor. But a new article today thinks the home button will remain concave so be weary. Keep an eye out for 16Gb and 32GB variants and, of course, iOS 7 and all of the features it has to offer.
The iPhone 5C will be similar in size and specs — with a 4-inch display, upgraded camera, and possible inclusion of the aforementioned fingerprint sensor — but is though to have a scaled-back iOS 7 to account for its budget-friendliness. It will also sport a plastic shell in a neon spectrum of colors instead of Apple’s signature anodized aluminum casing.
