It’s already too late to preorder an iPhone 16 Pro Max and have it delivered on its September 20 launch day. Three hours after preorders began today, the delivery window for iPhone 16 Pro Max slipped to mid-October.
It’s not just customers putting in orders who care. Analysts watch these delivery times to judge demand for Apple handsets.
Update: A day after preorders began, the wait for iPhone 16 Pro Max still stretches to mid-October, while delivery for iPhone 16 Pro models now begins in early October.
iPhone 16 Pro Max appears to be the most popular
iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s top-of-the-line new model, and it’s likely to be the most popular. It could be because it offers the largest screen in the new series: 6.9 inches. And historically, the premier device draws the most attention. Demand for iPhone 15 Pro Max easily outpaced shipments of its sister models.
Initial demand for the latest Pro Max seems to indicate that history will repeat itself: It became the first iPhone 16 variant to run through the prerelease supply. When preorders began early Friday, the online Apple Store listed the shipment date as September 20. Within an hour, those ordering the Pro Max from the Apple website discovered the phones wouldn’t ship until between October 2 and October 7. Three hours after Apple started taking preorders, the delivery window shifted again to October 7 through October 14.
In contrast, an hour after preorders started, no shipping delays affected any other version from the iPhone 16 lineup. Currently, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro all seem available for delivery on September 20.
Update: By Saturday morning, orders placed for iPhone 16 Pro on Apple’s website wouldn’t arrive until October 1 at the earliest. However, iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus can both be preordered for delivery on September 20.
Judging iPhone demand from wait times is a dicey business, although analysts do it. Whether the shipping date for a new model slips depends on how many units Apple produced as much as how many customers want to buy. But Apple knows its customers and makes more of the Pro Max than it does for the other models, according to analysts. Demand exceeding the early supply seems like a positive sign for Cupertino.
Good news!
Those eager to get an iPhone 16 Pro Max don’t necessarily need to wait until October for it, though. A check by Cult of Mac two hours after preorders began found units of the much-sought-after model available for pickup in Apple retail stores on September 20. That said, not every variant is still available for launch-day pickup in every Apple retail location. Those who live near a large city might need to hunt around to find an Apple store with an allocation of the variant they want.
Also, Apple always reserves stock of new iPhone models for walk-in customers on launch day. Those who can’t preorder the iPhone 16 Pro Max can always go to an Apple Store on September 20, then stand in line and hope.
Those still trying to decide if they really need the Pro Max or should choose another version can read the Cult of Mac guide on whether to go Pro or no.
