If everything plays out as we all believe it will, Apple will unveil its next-generation iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus during a press conference in San Francisco on September 7th. The phones will then be made available for preorder by Apple and various carrier and retail partners on Friday, September 9th, before launching one week later on September 16th. Apple hasn’t confirmed any of this, mind you, but as is the case with the design of the new iPhone 7, we likely know practically all there is to know thanks to leaks.
Apple’s iPhones have always been among just a handful of devices that people know they’re going to buy long before they’re actually announced, and it looks like one of Apple’s largest retail partners has decided to take advantage of that fact by opening iPhone 7 reservations up to the public.
DON’T MISS: Everything new in iOS 10 beta 5 and iOS 10 public beta 4
Apple’s iPhone 7 doesn’t exist — at least not yet. In fact, we don’t even know if the iPhones Apple unveils next month will even be named “iPhone 7” and “iPhone 7 Plus” when they finally do become a reality. But that isn’t stopping one of Apple’s largest partners in China from making the new iPhone available to reserve.
Apple fans in China can now visit this page on the Leleda website (via Twitter) to reserve an iPhone 7. They’ll need to enter a name and a mobile phone number, and then input a verification code texted to that number. Once that’s done, they can choose how many new iPhones they’d like to reserve and book the reservations. As many as 15 iPhone 7 models can be reserved by each customer.
As controlling as Apple is, it’s likely that the company will be none too happy to learn that Leleda is taking reservations for a smartphone line that Apple hasn’t even announced at this point. The company has certainly loosened many of its policies in recent years though, so it’s unclear if the company will take any action.
Apple’s next-generation iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are expected to feature upgraded internal components including a new A10 processor that will compliment a slightly tweaked design and new cameras.
