The iPhone 16 is almost here — the release date is less than 3.5 short weeks away. We know the day Apple will announce the new models, which means we can make a solid estimate of the iPhone 16 launch date.
Even better, long-held Apple habits point to the same release date.
iPhone 16 release date: September 20
It takes almost no thought to guess that Apple will launch its next iPhone in September. The last time a flagship iOS handset hit the market other than in autumn was way back in 2010 with the iPhone 4. And Cupertino’s habits point to the actual day when the next-generation models reach store shelves this year.
Apple will stream its product event on Monday, September 9. Now that the “It’s Glowtime” event timing is confirmed, we can expect the iPhone 16 release date to be the Friday of the week after: September 20.
That’s how Apple rolls: Hold a press event the second week in September, then launch the new iPhones at the end of the next week. If Apple sticks to the timetable, the company likely will begin taking preorders for the 2024 models on Friday, September 13.
Tracking Apple’s previous iPhone launches
There’s more than one way to figure out the iPhone 16 release date. A little basic research shows that September 20 remains most likely possibility.
Look at the historical data:
- iPhone 15: Friday, Sept. 22, 2023
- iPhone 14: Friday, Sept. 16, 2022
- iPhone 13: Friday, Sept. 24, 2021
- iPhone 12: Friday, Oct. 23, 2020*
- iPhone 11: Friday, Sept. 20, 2019
- iPhone XS: Friday, Sept. 21, 2018
*Pandemic delayed launch
Aside from the year COVID-19 mucked up everything, each of these launches came at the end of the third full week of September. And in 2024, that’s September 20.
iPhone 16 rumors: Bigger screens, Capture button and more
The most significant iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max design change will reportedly be larger screens. They’ll also get a new camera Capture button. Design changes to the more affordable iPhone 16 and 16 Plus include adding the Action button.
All Apple’s 2024 handsets can be expected to get faster processors, and might get better battery tech.
But the highlight of the iPhone 16 series is expected to be software, not hardware: Apple Intelligence, the suite of artificial intelligence features unveiled at WWDC24. That said, it’ll take an upgrade to iOS 18.1 in October before these appear.
For more, read Cult of Mac’s guide on what else to expect from the iPhone 16 lineup for additional leaks on all four of Apple’s flagship handsets almost certain to launch in a few weeks.
