Curious: How Much Lead Time For A New iOS? (Manufacturing Question)

[FrozenInferno]

How much lead time does Apple need to get a GM version of a new iOS ready before the launch of a new phone?

If Apple is really preparing as many new iPhone 6's for a September launch as rumored, 70-80 million or so, and iOS 8 is still in the beta stages until early-mid September at least, how can Apple possibly get brand new software loaded on to so many devices in time to ship? One would think there would already be millions of devices already assembled by the time iOS 8 is ready for a gold master.

It's part of the logistics involved with manufacturing so many devices that I have always been curious about. If anybody has any insight or informative articles about Apple's manufacturing process in regards to the software end please discuss.

 

[maflynn]

If they don't get it loaded on by manufacturing time, it will just get updated OTA.

 

[alent1234]

they have special machines to load ios, not like someone does it OTA over via a Mac at Foxconn

 

[TommyA6]

How much lead time does Apple need to get a GM version of a new iOS ready before the launch of a new phone?

If Apple is really preparing as many new iPhone 6's for a September launch as rumored, 70-80 million or so, and iOS 8 is still in the beta stages until early-mid September at least, how can Apple possibly get brand new software loaded on to so many devices in time to ship? One would think there would already be millions of devices already assembled by the time iOS 8 is ready for a gold master.

It's part of the logistics involved with manufacturing so many devices that I have always been curious about. If anybody has any insight or informative articles about Apple's manufacturing process in regards to the software end please discuss.

Apple's internal iOS 8 builds are probably a beta or two ahead of what gets released to developers. So by mid September they will have had GM for quite a while (a few weeks or more).

 

[eelw]

The initial launch window is only for 8-12 million based on prior launches. So those units get loaded with GM probably 2-3 weeks prior to the launch.

 

[Narien]

I'm guessing they can assemble the phones ahead of time and when the right software is ready, they load it in and package the devices.