Updated September 15 with details of how pre-orders are slipping and the near-disappearance of FineWoven products.
After fervent months of speculation, leaks and reports, Apple has announced its iPhones for 2024. It means that the schedule of what happens when has been confirmed—more or less. Here’s what happens now in the run-up to the iPhones going on sale, so you don’t miss a thing, with full details of what’s been confirmed and what’s still only predicted. Pre-orders have now opened so I’ve updated this post with details of how the initial sales are progressing, and comments on the mysterious near-retirement of FineWoven. Let’s start with those, but rest assured, the full schedule is below.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro: How Pre-Orders Are Going
Pre-orders have started, and if you didn’t use the clever loophole mentioned below under Before Pre-Orders, you’ll know for next time. At the time of writing, (Sunday, Sept. 15), there is enough stock of the iPhone 16 Pro available in most colors and most storage levels for you to order it and receive it at launch, or pick it up in stores on launch day, Friday, Sept. 20, or Saturday, Sept. 21.
If you’re hankering for the larger-sized model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, things are different. This is interesting because last year going for the larger model was the only way to snag a telephoto camera with a 5x zoom. This time around, the cameras are identical on both, so the only differences are a longer battery life and a higher price tag. That’s not putting people off, though. Some models such as the 256GB storage model in White Titanium currently has a 3-4 weeks delay attached to it. As a reminder, 256GB is the lowest storage option for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. If you’re after Natural Titanium and are happy with 512GB storage, you can pick this color up at launch—with current stock levels.
The regular iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus all have good availability on launch day in the 128GB storage options in all colors.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro: Whither FineWoven?
Last year, Apple introduced a new, ecologically friendly premium finish for iPhone cases, iPhone Wallets, AirTag keyring straps and Watch Bands. I think it’s fair to say they were not well-received.
So, this year, Apple only launched two kinds of cases, the most popular ones in the range: silicone and clear. There are no more FineWoven cases for the iPhone 16 and if you take a look at the Apple website, all FineWoven cases for the iPhone 15 series have now been retired, too.
The Watch Bands, iPhone Wallet and AirTags keyrings are still available, however.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro: Before Pre-Orders (Confirmed)
Apple has announced that this time around, it will do what it did last year and allow customers to choose what they want ahead of time, in readiness for pre-orders to go live.
Apple says: “Customers have until 9 p.m. PDT this evening to get a head start on pre-ordering the new iPhone 16 lineup by choosing their desired model, selecting their preferred payment method — including pre-approval for financing — and saving their shopping bag so they’re only one click away once pre-orders open tomorrow.”
That timing refers to today (Sept. 12) for west coast customers, 9 p.m. Pacific, 12 a.m. Eastern, that’s midnight tonight, and 5 a.m. Friday, September 13 for U.K. customers.
Once you’ve chosen your model, color and storage level, you can save the basket. But you need to log on to complete the sale as soon as you can after the pre-order time in your region. What are those? Read on.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro: When Pre-Orders Begin (Confirmed)
Pre-orders will open on Friday, Sept. 13. The possible superstitious response to Friday the 13th hasn’t put Apple off.
Pre-orders will begin at 5 a.m. Pacific, 8 a.m. Eastern, 1 p.m. U.K. Last year, Apple let you get ahead of the line the night before. You were able to log on to apple.com, choose the device you fancy, with the right color and storage, on the day before and put it in the online basket. That way, you were ready to press the buy button the moment pre-orders were activated.
There’s no news yet whether such a situation will come into play this year, but I’ll report back if that changes.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro: Launch Of iOS 18 (Confirmed)
Apple has now said that the software that will run on the new iPhones and indeed every iPhone from the iPhone Xr onwards, will be released on Monday, Sept. 16. It didn’t specify a time, but it’s usually 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. U.K.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro: Release Date (Confirmed)
Friday, Sept. 20, is the date the iPhones will go on sale, alongside the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black colorway, AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Max in new colors.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro: Release Time (To Be Confirmed)
The exact time has yet to be established but it’s usually around 8 a.m. local time. This means it goes on sale in Australia and New Zealand first, because of the time zones.
That’s when you can go to your Apple Store to buy, or collect, what you’ve ordered online or wait excitedly at home if you’ve arranged for home delivery.
