iPhone 16 Pro release date predictions: when are the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max likely to launch?
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Apple’s top phone right now is the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but not for long, as next month we expect the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max to launch – alongside the lower end iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
Apple has even confirmed that its next big launch event will happen on September 9, so this is when we're expecting to see these phones. And knowing that coupled with Apple's past patterns we have a very good idea of when they'll go up for pre-order and ship.
Below then, you’ll find full details when the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will be announced (down to the hour), and when we think the phones will go up for pre-order and ultimately ship.
When will the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max be announced?
Announcement date: September 9
Announcement timing: 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST, or 3am AEST on September 10
Based on past form we always expect the iPhone 16 line to land in September, and probably in the first half of the month, with leaks pointing to September 10.
That was our best guess prior to Apple announcing that the launch would happen on September 9, so we were only one day out. September 9 is unusual in one way though, as it's a Monday, and typically these events happen on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
As for what time the launch event will kick off, it's set to start at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST, which is 3am AEST on September 10 for those in Australia.
You can tune in to it whether you are in the world too – here's how to watch the iPhone 16 launch event live.
When will iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders open?
Predicted pre-order date: September 13
We can go by Apple’s typical patterns here, as the company almost always opens pre-orders for its new phones the Friday of the week they’re announced.
So with the iPhone 16 line set to be announced on Monday, September 9, we'd expect iPhone 16 pre-orders will open on Friday, September 13.
That said, it's always possible that Apple will choose a different date, especially as September 9 itself is a slightly unexpected choice due to it being a Monday.
When will the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max ship?
Predicted shipping date: September 20
The date when a pre-ordered iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max will arrive on your doorstep is similarly predictable, as this is usually a week after pre-orders open.
So if pre-orders open on September 13 (as we predict) then the phones will probably ship on Friday, September 20.
There’s an outside chance that Apple will deviate from its usual pre-order or shipping date patterns, but this is our best guess for now.
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