A new clue regarding the release date of Apple’s upcoming flagship iPhones has emerged, with the schedule of iOS 27 developer betas aligning with an expected September launch. The timely arrival of the second iOS 27 developer beta on Monday, June 22, 2026, indicates that Apple is adhering to its projected timeline for the software that will power the new devices.
iOS 27 Beta and Release Candidate Timeline
The second developer beta for iOS 27 was released on June 22, 2026, a date that signals adherence to Apple’s plans. This year is significant as iOS 27 is expected to include the long-delayed new Siri functionality. Following this, the third developer beta is anticipated around July 6. The first public beta is also expected to launch shortly after this date, potentially marking a return to previous years’ scheduling, though this remains subject to change.
If Apple follows past patterns, there could be eight or nine developer betas and six public betas for iOS 27. The Release Candidate for both developer and public versions is predicted to be available on or around September 9.
September Keynote and On-Sale Date Predictions
The most critical date in the release calendar is the September keynote event, which traditionally sets the schedule for subsequent hardware releases. For over a decade, new iPhone models have gone on sale on the Friday following the keynote event. This year’s keynote is predicted to occur on Wednesday, September 9, the same date as the iOS 27 Release Candidate. This date falls after Labor Day, which is on Monday, September 7, fitting Apple’s pattern of holding keynotes on Mondays or Tuesdays.
The keynote is expected to be held at Apple Park and broadcast globally starting at 10 a.m. Pacific time. The general release of iOS 27 is forecast for Monday, September 14, the Monday after the keynote. This allows existing iPhone users, from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 17 series, to download the new software before the latest models become available.
The predicted on-sale date for the new iPhones is Friday, September 18. Apple Stores typically open early on iPhone release days, with pre-ordered devices expected to be available for collection at 7 a.m. local time. This staggered timing means customers in regions like Sydney, Australia, will have access to the new iPhones up to 17 hours before those in Los Angeles.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be available on this date. However, the release of Apple’s first folding phone, possibly named iPhone Ultra, remains uncertain. Due to it being a new product category, potential manufacturing issues could delay its availability by a week or two.
Steve Lopez is the Editorial Page Editor for News Raise. He covers Health. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards for his reporting and column writing at seven newspapers and four news magazines.
