iPhone 5 release date

Given the pattern of Apple's iPhone launches, we're expecting the new iPhone 5 release date to be mid to late 2012.

At Apple's WWDC 2012 event in early June we learnt a lot more about iOS 6, but there was no hardware (well, apart from new Macs). Check out the launch news as well as iOS 6: everything you need to know.

While early reports pegged the new iPhone release date for October, landing closely to last year's schedule, it seems we'll be seeing the phone in September this year as Apple looks to take on Samsung's new phone sooner rather than later, with multiple sources claiming we'll see Apple take to the stage on September 12, although claims we'll see it launch alongside the iPad Mini seem a bit outlandish.

Don't take our word for it though: our crack TR news team has a special iPhone 5 bulletin to give an 'alternative' view on what should be coming:

Adding more fuel to the September iPhone 5 release date fire is the rumour which says pre-orders for the new iPhone will start on the same date- something we've seen Apple do with other products - with stock expected to ship on September 21.

According to analyst Shaw Wu, the Cupertino firm has reduced the number of iPhone orders by 20%-25% for this quarter, ahead of the release.

It seems that Foxconn will again be manufacturing the handset. It'll put the Samsung Galaxy S3 "to shame" according to the CEO of Foxconn, Terry Gou - though he didn't say how.

According to reports, networks in both the UK and US are clearing stock and schedules ahead of the iPhone 5 release date falling in September.