Vietnam Insider – Vietnam may be included in Apple’s first-wave rollout of the iPhone 17, alongside major markets such as the United States and Singapore, with sales potentially starting on September 19.
Representatives from several major retail chains revealed that Apple has asked them to prepare for two possible launch scenarios: a second-wave release as in previous years, or an immediate first-wave release right after the global launch event. “No final decision has been made yet, but preparations for a first-wave sale have gained significant attention in recent days,” said one retail representative.
According to Germany’s iPhone Ticker, local carriers have been informed that Apple will unveil its next-generation iPhone on Tuesday, September 9. Technology news outlet Apple Insider also reported that Apple is unlikely to hold its event on September 11, the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Based on Apple’s usual schedule—launching on a Tuesday and starting sales the following Friday—the iPhone 17 could hit shelves on September 19, which could also be the release date in Vietnam.
Traditionally, first-wave iPhone sales are limited to countries with official physical Apple Stores, while Vietnam only has an Apple Store Online. However, industry insiders believe this is not a strict requirement, noting that Vietnam’s strong sales growth in recent years could prompt Apple to give the market first-wave status starting with the iPhone 17.
In 2023 and 2024, the iPhone 15 and 16 were launched in Vietnam just one week after their global release, encouraging more consumers to wait for official products rather than buying hand-carried imports. Vietnam has also been one of the fastest-growing early-stage iPhone markets, with launch-day revenues exceeding VND 1 trillion (approximately USD 40 million) thanks to earlier official distribution.
According to renowned TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this may be the last year Apple launches all iPhone models at once. For 2025, Apple is expected to introduce four variants: iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. Starting next year, Apple may split releases into two phases—launching the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and 18 Air in September 2026, with the standard iPhone 18 and the more affordable iPhone 18e arriving in early 2027.
Similarly, in fall 2027, Apple is rumored to debut the iPhone 19 Pro, 19 Pro Max, 19 Air, and its first foldable device, the iPhone Fold, with the standard iPhone 19 scheduled for early 2028.
Design leaks suggest the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will feature a redesigned aluminum chassis and a revamped rear camera module—replacing the square bump with a horizontal rectangular strip spanning the device’s width, similar to the Google Pixel 9 Pro. This larger housing will maintain the triangular triple-camera arrangement on the left, while the LED flash, microphone, and LiDAR sensor move to a vertical layout on the right. Upgrades are expected to include the new A19 Pro chip, 12 GB of RAM, a 48-megapixel telephoto lens, and a front camera boosted to 24 megapixels—double that of the previous generation.
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Source: Vietnam Insider