You've probably been there. Refreshing a browser tab until your finger goes numb, hoping that a grayed-out "Add to Bag" button suddenly turns blue. It’s a ritual. Honestly, the question of when can you preorder iPhone 16 isn't just about a date on a calendar; it's about the precision of a military operation if you actually want the phone on launch day.
Apple officially opened preorders for the entire iPhone 16 lineup on Friday, September 13, 2024.
If you're reading this now in 2026, you're likely looking back at how that cycle worked to predict the next one, or you're hunting for a deal on what is now a solid, slightly older flagship. Back in late 2024, the madness kicked off at exactly 5:00 a.m. PDT (8:00 a.m. EDT). It didn't matter if you were in Cupertino or London; the digital doors swung open for everyone at the same moment.
The Chaos of the 5:00 AM Launch
Let’s be real. Nobody actually likes waking up at 4:45 a.m. to buy a phone. But for the iPhone 16 Pro Max in Desert Titanium, that was basically the only way to avoid a four-week shipping delay.
Within just 18 minutes of the site going live, shipping estimates for the Pro models started slipping. What was originally a September 20 delivery date quickly tumbled into October. It's kinda wild how fast it happens. One minute you're looking at "Delivers Friday," and the next, you're looking at a three-week wait.
Interestingly, the base iPhone 16 and the 16 Plus stayed available for launch-day delivery much longer. People usually flock to the "Pro" bells and whistles first. The big draw for the 16 series was Apple Intelligence and that new Camera Control button, which—let's be honest—took some people a few weeks to actually get used to.
The "Get Ready" Secret
Most people who successfully snagged their device on day one used the "Get Ready" feature. Apple usually opens this up a few days before the actual preorder date. It lets you pick your model, storage, and even get your trade-in valued and credit card info saved.
When 5:00 a.m. hits, you aren't typing; you're just tapping "Order."
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When Can You Preorder iPhone 16 and Why the Date Matters
Apple follows a rhythm. It's predictable, yet every year people seem surprised. They almost always announce the new hardware on a Tuesday (though 2024 was a rare Monday reveal on September 9) and then open preorders that following Friday.
Why Friday? It gives the hype a few days to simmer.
If you missed that window in 2024, you weren't alone. Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile usually have their own separate piles of inventory, and sometimes their systems are a bit slower to update, giving you a "second chance" if the Apple Store app crashes.
- Announcement: Monday, Sept 9, 2024
- Preorders: Friday, Sept 13, 2024
- In-Store Launch: Friday, Sept 20, 2024
Actually, some regions had it different. In places like Macao and Vietnam, the wait was a bit longer, with availability starting on September 27.
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What Most People Got Wrong About the 16 Launch
There was a lot of noise about the iPhone 16 being a "boring" update. People said, "Oh, it looks just like the 15." But they missed the internal shift. This was the first year Apple really baked the hardware around AI—or "Apple Intelligence."
The A18 chip wasn't just a marginal speed boost; it was a requirement. If you had an iPhone 15 (non-Pro), you couldn't run the new AI features. That forced a lot of people into the preorder line who otherwise might have waited another year.
Also, the vertical camera layout on the base models wasn't just for aesthetics. It was specifically designed to capture Spatial Video for the Apple Vision Pro. It’s those little nuances that drive the "need" to upgrade early.
Price Points at Launch
When the preorders went live, the sticker shock was actually... non-existent. Apple kept the pricing identical to the year before, which was a move nobody really expected given inflation.
- iPhone 16: $799
- iPhone 16 Plus: $899
- iPhone 16 Pro: $999
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199
How to Handle Future Preorders
If you’re looking ahead to the iPhone 17 or even the 18, take notes from the 16 launch.
First, the Apple Store app is almost always faster than the website. For some reason, the app "wakes up" from its maintenance mode about 30 to 60 seconds before the desktop site does. In the world of preorders, 60 seconds is the difference between getting a phone in September or getting it in November.
Second, don't sleep on the trade-ins. Apple was offering up to $1,000 off with carrier deals during the iPhone 16 preorder window. If you're paying full price, you're doing it wrong.
Third, check the colors early. In 2024, "Ultramarine" was the sleeper hit for the base models. It looked way better in person than it did on the website, leading to a late surge in demand that caught people off guard.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are currently looking to buy an iPhone 16 now that we are well past the preorder phase:
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- Check Certified Refurbished: Now that it’s 2026, Apple’s official refurbished store is likely stocking these. You get a new battery and a fresh outer shell for a fraction of the cost.
- Carrier "Loyalty" Deals: Carriers often have huge discounts on the "two-year-old" model to clear out stock for the newest flagship.
- Verify Apple Intelligence Compatibility: Ensure the model you’re buying has at least 8GB of RAM (which all iPhone 16 models do) to ensure the latest software features still work smoothly.
- Inspect the Camera Control Button: If buying used, check the haptic feedback on the side button; it’s a sophisticated piece of tech that can be pricey to fix if it’s been dropped hard.
The preorder window is a sprint, but the lifecycle of the phone is a marathon. Whether you were there at 5 a.m. on that Friday in September or you're just picking one up now, the iPhone 16 remains a pivotal moment in when Apple decided to go all-in on AI.