Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5 at a media event scheduled for next Wednesday at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. According to multiple sources, Cupertino will be launching the new handset just nine days later on September 21 which falls in line with previous product releases.

Gotta Be Mobile claims a trusted source told them Apple will be launching the iPhone 5 on this date, meaning that pre-orders will arrive at the doorsteps of customers two weeks from today. Their source also says that Apple told shipping partners to expect "mass shipments" on the 21st and to make sure there is enough staff on hand to handle the increased workload.

Geeky Gadgets has received the same information but they are further reporting that pre-orders for Apple's new smartphone will begin two days after the unveiling on September 14.

MacRumors has received word that FedEx is preparing for a "surge volume" event scheduled to take place starting September 21 and run through September 24. The FedEx memo points out that a training class has been moved to next month because of the event.

Last month BRG said a trusted source at AT&T told them the company was issuing an all-hands-on-deck policy for the third week in September that would run through the middle of October. Another source noted that AT&T had to reschedule a large training event due to a conflict with an announcement from Apple. TechCrunch reported a similar story regarding wireless carrier Verizon just a week or so later.