iPhone 7 release date, specs news 2016: iPhone 7 to hit market on Sept. 23

Apple has not yet announced an official launch date for its seventh-generation iPhone. However, latest reports suggest that iPhone 7 will hit the market on Sept. 23 following a purported leaked retail schedule from American telecoms company AT&T.

Across rumor land, tech observers speculated a Sept. 16 launch date with pre-orders starting on Sept. 9. Per 9 to 5 Mac report, a leaked AT&T retail schedule indicates the mobile network's "merchandising reset" plans in anticipation of surging orders for Apple's next-generation smartphone.

The Apple tracking blog also noted that in the past, the Cupertino-based giant usually had one-week or two-week pre-order periods preceding the market release of the device. Last year's iPhone 6s, for example, was rolled out on Sept. 25 after a two-week pre-order period starting Sept. 12. If this so-called leak proves accurate, then it is highly expected that other US-based networks like Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint will follow suit.

As always the case, the tech giant remains tight-lipped. The company is yet to issue any official announcement of its product launch event which gives fans, industry analysts, and tech observers a glimpse of Apple's newest iterative smartphone offering.

Meanwhile, another leak picked up by another Apple tracking blog MacRumors reveal a snap of iPhone 7's purported camera module featured on the French tech blog Nowhereelse, backing up claims that the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 will sport an optical image stabilization on top of other rumored camera enhancements.

In addition, the new iPhone 7 will reportedly arrive with additional speakers and color offerings including blue. A redesigned home button will be pressure sensitive. Moreover, the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack is widely expected to be removed from the latest iterative upgrade with the antenna bands transferred to the edges. This means that means that users can hook up their headphones through the Lightning port.