The iPhone 16 series goes up for preorder on Friday, and Apple’s latest and greatest handsets might sell out quickly. You need do some early prep work to be sure to get your hands on the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the other models as soon as possible.
Here’s how to be completely ready to put in a preorder.
iPhone 16 series is loaded with features
No matter which 2024 model you’re interested in, there’s a good chance that what you want is Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered improvements coming to all four new handsets. And there’s a new Camera Control button, too. In addition, those thinking to upgrade to an iPhone 16 or 16 Plus are probably most interested in the Action button previously reserved for Pro models.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max sport a camera enhanced with 5x telephoto zoom capabilities, faster processor and slightly larger screens.
Start getting ready now
Photo: Apple
Those part of the iPhone Upgrade Program should start getting ready to preorder immediately. Apple sent you an email explaining how to get ready to replace your iPhone 15 model with something from an iPhone 16.
You need to confirm that you’re eligible for an upgrade. Spoiler alert: You will be if you received your current handset a year or more ago.
You can do this from the email Apple sent you, or the company’s website. Alternatively, open the Apple Store app on your iPhone. Go to the For You tab at the bottom of the screen. On the resulting page, tap on Check upgrade eligibility. That’ll start the process.
iPhone Upgrade Program members have until 9 p.m. PDT on September 12 to get pre-approved.
And note that pre-approval isn’t pre-ordering. You still need to get up Friday morning to actually buy an iPhone 16 series model.
Set your clock
Apple will start taking preorders for the iPhone 15 series at 5 a.m. PDT (8 a.m. EDT) on Friday, September 13.
In the past, demand for some iPhone versions has outstripped the supply of units that Apple has ready to deliver on day one. That happened with iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Putting in an order as soon as possible is therefore important. Sleep a couple of hours past the start of preorders and you might not get your iPhone 15 until October.
So if you want your iPhone 16 as soon as possible, go set your clock now.
Be sure to take time zones into account. In the United States and Canada, think 5 a.m. Pacific or 8 a.m. Eastern. It’s 13:00 BST in the UK. In Germany or the Netherlands, be ready at 14:00 CEST. In India, the time will be 5:30 p.m. IST.
Install the Apple Store app
If you haven’t already, the next step is to download the official Apple Store application to your iPhone. It’s less likely to crash from huge numbers of people all trying to buy at once. At the very least, it gives you a second option if the website is jammed.
Now that you have it installed, open the app and tap on your image in the upper-right corner to bring up your account info. Scroll down to Primary Payment and check that it shows the right credit card info. Because the middle of placing your order Friday morning is a bad time to realize your credit card deets are out of date.
Also, check that your shipping address is correct. That’s not something you want to be typing in when you’re in a hurry and/or drowsy. You can find it under Primary Shipping.
Choose your exact iPhone 16 configuration now
Screenshot: Apple
Next, it’s time to decide on the exact specs of the iPhone you want to preorder. Both the Apple Store app and Apple.com will let you choose a configuration then save it. On September 13, you can quickly pull the configuration up again and place your order.
On the Apple website, choose whether you want a standard iPhone 16 or an iPhone 16 Pro. Choose View pricing and you’ll be taken to a page where you can decide on the model, color, storage and wireless carrier. You’ll also be asked about a trade in and AppleCare+.
When you’ve done all that, tap on Get ready for pre-order. That begins a multi-step process where you confirm your carrier, consider some accessories, confirm your payment method, then review your order. After you finish, you’ll be ready for Friday.
If you don’t want to go through all of that now, you can choose the Save for later link instead and the configuration will be saved. You’ll still have to complete the rest of the process when ordering.
For those who decide to use the Apple Store app instead of the website, go to the Producta tab, then look for Save time at iPhone pre-order. That will start you on the same multi-step process as Apple’s website, all the way down to the option to Get Ready to Order or Save for later.
Get your wallet ready
Apple ignored inflation on most of its models so there were no price increases on the iPhone 15, 15 Plus and 15 Pro. And while the iPhone 15 Pro Max did go up $100, Apple also increased the base storage amount.
Here are the U.S. base prices.
- iPhone 16: $799
- iPhone 15 Plus: $899
- iPhone 16 Pro: $999
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1199
Those base versions have 128 GB of storage, except the Pro Max — it starts at 256GB. The Pros can be preconfigured with up to 1 TB, while the non-Pro models top out at 512 GB.
Doubling the storage capacity of each handset adds between $100 and $200 to the price.
Order your iPhone 16 on Friday
When your alarm clock goes off on Friday, use the Apple Store application or go to Apple.com to place your order.
Open the Apple Store app, then tap on your image in the upper-right corner to open your account info, then go to Your Saves to see the iPhone configuration you already set up. Or, on the Apple website, tap on the shopping bag in the upper-right corner, then choose Your Saves.
It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. And if you’ve been quick enough, you can look forward to getting your iPhone 15 as quickly as anyone.