iPhone 16 Pro Max Slips to October Availability only Minutes After Pre-Orders Open

As expected, Apple opened pre-orders for its new iPhone 16 models this morning at 5 a.m. Pacific Time (8 a.m. ET), and as usual, it didn’t take long for some of the more popular models to sell out of their initial stock.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this year’s “winner” was once again Apple’s most expensive flagship, the iPhone 16 Pro Max. When preorders opened, all four iPhone 16 models had September 20 ship dates; however, the iPhone 16 Pro Max was the first to show signs of dwindling stock, with delivery dates moving to September 27 in the first 20 minutes after pre-orders opened and shifting into October not long after that. That was followed by the iPhone 16 Pro about 15 minutes later.

While the initial delays didn’t affect all models — the 1 TB models went first, particularly in the White, Black, and Desert Titanium finishes. Natural Titanium lasted a bit longer. As of this writing, all iPhone 16 Pro Max models now show October delivery dates in the US and Canada.

Meanwhile, it’s still possible to pick up an iPhone 16 Pro for delivery on September 20, depending on which color and capacity you’re looking for. Desert Titanium is still available in all capacities, as are 128 GB versions of Natural Titanium and Black Titanium.

White Titanium seems to be the most popular pick for the 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro this year. The 128 GB White Titanium model shows shipping times extending into the following week, and all higher capacities have been bumped to 7–10 business days. Natural and Black finishes are still available, with 5–7 business day shipping for most capacities.

It’s hard to say whether this is due to supply or demand. It seems likely that Apple manufactured fewer of the most expensive 1 TB models, which may explain why the initial stock of these went first. Meanwhile, it may have manufactured more stock in its new Desert Titanium finish, expecting that to be more popular, which might explain why that’s the only iPhone 16 Pro model available for September 20 delivery in all four storage sizes.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus

Although the standard iPhone 16 models are faring much better for September 20 availability, Teal appears to be the new hotness this year. It’s the only color of the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 that’s experiencing delivery delays, with the 512 GB model showing 7–10 business days and the 256 GB version coming in at 2–3 weeks before it will arrive. The 128 GB Teal iPhone 16 is still set to arrive on launch day, as are all the other color and capacity combinations.

Then there’s the iPhone 16 Plus, where pre-orders don’t appear to have made a dent. This year’s only 6.7-inch iPhone is still available for delivery on September 20 in every color and capacity. Analysts have been reporting for some time that the iPhone Plus models turned out to be only slightly more popular than the ill-fated iPhone mini lineup, so it won’t be at all surprising to see Apple abandon that form factor next year and try yet another new direction.

Of course, the Apple Store isn’t the only place to buy a new iPhone 16, but it’s the one that most folks flock to for pre-orders. For example, Best Buy still has nearly every iPhone 16 model available for shipping or pickup on launch day, although you’ll have to activate them on AT&T or Verizon. Along the same lines, you’ll probably find good availability if you purchase an iPhone 16 from your carrier — and possibly even some better deals, especially if you’re trading in your old one.

Lastly, if you want to purchase your iPhone 16 Pro Max from Apple and get it in your hands on launch day, you can still visit your local Apple Store next Friday. Apple doesn’t sell every iPhone 16 in its inventory online; it reserves several million to stock the shelves in its retail stores since it needs to have some to sell to walk-in customers.