Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Launch Schedule: The Complete Countdown
Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 series—comprising the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max—is almost here. Here’s your complete guide to what I think will happen and when, before Apple confirms anything.
The iPhone launch unfolds in a clear, step-by-step process, starting with Apple’s keynote announcement and culminating with the new iPhones landing in consumers’ hands.
1. Apple Sends Official Invites to the Special Event
Here’s a more human-friendly version:
“This happened on Monday, August 26, marking the official moment when the new products were revealed for the first time.”
2. Apple’s Special Event
We learned on the day the invitations were sent out that the event will take place at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino on Monday, September 9, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.
A little brag: I guessed the event would be on Monday while everyone else thought it would be on Tuesday, September 10. Check out my reasons here. Forgive the bragging, but this might be the last time I get insider info on something like this.
3. Forbes Daily:
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4. Apple Releases iOS 18
This often happens in the same week as the keynote, but my bet is that it will be the following Monday, September 16, around 10:00 AM Pacific Time, 1:00 PM Eastern Time, and 6:00 PM UK time.
If your iPhone can run iOS 17, it will be able to run iOS 18 as well—the compatibility list is identical, going back to the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone Xr.
5. iPhone Reviews Appear
I expect this to happen early in the week following the keynote, on a separate day from the Apple Watch reviews. The iPhone reviews will be published by selected press shortly after the special event, possibly appearing on Tuesday, September 17, or Wednesday, September 18, at 6:00 AM Pacific Time, 9:00 AM Eastern Time, and 2:00 PM UK time, though this timing could change.
6. Apple’s iPhone 16 and 16 Pro Go on Sale
Almost without exception, Apple puts the iPhones on sale the Friday following the keynote. Rumor has it that everything is on schedule this year, so I think that means Friday, September 20. The time is usually early morning local time, around 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM wherever you are.
And after that, we start gearing up for the iPhone 17 launch! Please check back—I’ll update this post to confirm or correct everything as it gets revealed.
