After posting an event test on YouTube suggesting that the iPhone 12 could be unveiled on September 10, Apple quickly withdrew the test feed.

9to5Mac reported that several of its readers claimed to have seen the test feed pop up on Apple's YouTube channel. The screen capture showed a European format date - day, month, year - pointing to an upcoming broadcast in early September. The natural conclusion? That's the date Apple planned to unveil the new iPhone and other devices.

There is only one problem with that rumored September 10 date. That is that it does not fit Apple's approach.

Apple events are usually held on Tuesdays, with a few exceptions. (Sometimes Apple shifts to a Wednesday launch event if the Monday before is a holiday, and sometimes it avoids a Tuesday launch event so that it does not fall on the day that commemorates the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.) This year, September 10 is a Thursday, and people and many media outlets are Given that they are gearing up for the weekend instead of the news, it is not a good time to announce new products.

Also, in today's YouTube test, the September 10 date may just be a placeholder: last year's iPhone 11 launch also took place on September 10. Either Apple really likes that date, or it is a holdover from last year.

The fact that Apple has since removed the listing from YouTube gives credence that the date is not correct. If it were correct, it would seem odd for Apple to take it down.

Then again, this would be a rare iPhone announcement for Apple. Apple has already confirmed that the new iPhones will not ship in September, suggesting that at least some of the four planned models will be released in October. Recent rumors suggest that the iPhone 12 Pro model may ship even later.

Rumors suggest that Apple will release four new iPhone 12 models: the 5.4-inch iPhone 12, 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max, 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro, and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max. regular iPhone 12 devices will feature 5G, Apple's powerful new A14 Bionic chip, and two rear cameras, while the iPhone 12 Pro devices are expected to include a third telephoto camera and LiDAR sensor.

The iPhone 12 is not the only product Apple plans to release this fall. Rumors suggest that Apple will release an ARM MacBook (possibly MacBook and MacBook Air) with Apple Silicon this year, as well as the Apple Watch 6. Apple may also roll out the long-awaited AirTags for tracking items like keys, and many Apple watchers expect the company to bring back the AirPower wireless charging pad, which was discontinued last year.

The rumored date of Apple's launch event is all over the map, with dates floating around in various sources throughout September and early October. Perhaps this YouTube tip from Apple adds more clarity - or confusion - about the company's iPhone 12 plans.