iPad 3 also said to be launching in November

All the rumours are indicating a September launch for the new iPhone 5, but until now, the date was rather vague. But now a date of 6 September has been quoted by a source with a decent track record.

That source is the China Times, with Mac Rumors reporting that four million units will be ready for that date. It makes some sense, as Apple has held a media event (albeit for the iPod) in September for the past three years. With no iPhone unveiled during this year’s WWDC, Apple is expected to include the iPhone 5 launch at this September event alongside the public release of iOS 5.

Whether it can launch and sell the iPhone 5 more or less at the same time is another thing altogether. The company will be keen to get the new iPhone on the shelves in the run up to Christmas, but it might be asking a bit much to get so many phones ready so soon, unless those phones are already well into production. If you are running down a contract, perhaps work to that date, but don’t rely on it.

The rush to get the iPhone 5 out in September is said to be impacting on Apple’s other big pre-Christmas launch, the iPad 3. The tablet with enhanced screen was said to be arriving at the same time, but that same report also claims that ‘component shortages’ could push this to the end of November. We’ll wait in hope, rather than expectation of this. 2012 would make more sense.