iMore reported that Apple would be unveiling its iPhone 5
on September 12, 2012. iPhone 5 pre-orders are planned to begin that same day, at least in the U.S. Release is still planned for 9 days later, on September 21, 2012. The second wave of iPhone launches will begin in the first week of October, likely October 5 in the international markets.
Last year Apple introduced the iPhone 4S on October 4, 2011, and made pre-orders available the following Friday on October 7. This year, it sounds like they’re being even more aggressive.