Apple is reportedly eyeing a mid-September date for the release of its latest iPhone model – a closely-watched debut that comes as the tech giant contends with a rare sales slump.
The iPhone 15 “will go on sale around Sept. 22,” Bloomberg reported Monday.
The release will follow an Apple launch event for the device that is “planned for either Sept. 12 or Sept. 13.”
A separate report from the tech blog 9to5 Mac said “mobile carriers have been asking employees not to take days off on September 13 due to a major smartphone announcement.”
In the past, Apple has routinely held its iPhone events around that date.
A Sept. 22 debut would ensure the iPhone 15 is available for the entirety of Apple’s crucial holiday sales quarter, which kicks off on Oct. 1.
About one week of sales will be factored into the company’s fourth-quarter earnings.
The Post has reached out to Apple for comment.
Sales of iPhones remain a key revenue driver for Apple and a closely watched metric for the company on Wall Street.
Last week, the company lost its status as the world’s only $3 trillion company after weak iPhone sales in the third quarter spooked investors.
Apple’s third-quarter revenue fell 1.4% to $81.8 billion, marking its third straight quarter of declining sales.
Apple CFO Luca Maestri signaled the company expects similar sales performance in the fourth quarter – meaning the company would fall short of analysts’ expectations of $90.19 billion in sales.
On Monday, Apple shares were down nearly 2% to $178.76.
The company’s market cap hovered near $2.81 trillion.
The iPhone 15 could face a chilly reception from consumers.
During last week’s earnings call, Maestri acknowledged the sales plunge occurred “because the smartphone market has been in a decline for the last couple of quarters in the United States.”
Last month, The Information reported that Apple could face shortages of its high-end iPhone Pro and Pro Max models this September due to hiccups experienced by its manufacturing partners.
The supplies have reportedly struggled with a new manufacturing process for the larger screen displays on the devices.
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