Shipments of New iPhone Models Begin Arriving in the U.S. Ahead of Next Week's Media Event

With Apple having issued invitations for its September 10 media event where it is expected to introduce its next-generation iPhone 5S and 5C models, MacRumors has learned from a reliable source that the company has already begun shipments of at least some of the new hardware into the United States.

As is not unheard of for the company, Apple is already beginning to stockpile units in the United States for quick distribution to carrier partners, other third-party retail partners, and its own channels. With the new iPhone hardware expected to be introduced at next Tuesday's media event, Apple's pattern with previous releases suggests that the new models would launch in the U.S. and other first wave countries about a week and a half later, with Friday, September 20 being the most likely date.

blue_white_yellow_iphone_5c_packaged


C Technology, which has been posting a number of photos of alleged iPhone 5C units, packaging, and manuals, has also claimed on its Sina Weibo account (via @MobilesPie) that 1.2 million iPhone 5C units were shipped to the United States yesterday.

With the packaged iPhone 5C units showing up in a number of photographs over the past few days, it seems reasonable to believe that the device may indeed be ready for shipment ahead of next week's media event. Little to no specific evidence of iPhone 5S units being ready for shipment has been seen, and it is unclear whether that device is included in the U.S. shipments we are hearing about.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...

Top Rated Comments

Mad Mac Maniac Avatar
162 months ago
Where are all the "No way Apple would ever release that plastic garbage!" people now?? :rolleyes:
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
netvvork Avatar
162 months ago
tease me

wow. nothing left up the imagination anymore. i was looking forward to some surprises at the keynote. i still check this site 200 times a day though :rolleyes:
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmichaelb Avatar
162 months ago
I'm glad to hear units are arriving already and all...

But that 5C packaging is hopefully fake, it all looks like cheap Chinese ripoff packaging.
It looks like the current iPod packaging.

shipments of new iphone models begin arriving in the u s ahead of next weeks media event image
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmichaelb Avatar
162 months ago
Please, god, let there be 32gig models.
Not going to happen. 16GB for the 5C, 5S starts at 32GB. That will help differentiate the two models.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hakone Avatar
162 months ago
In the keynote:

"... and you can get yours today"

/applause/
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ElTorro Avatar
162 months ago
It's evident that with Tim's doubling down on security, we are almost at the point where we will be able to track the shipment of the 5C units from all the way from Foxconn.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)