What to expect when and where

Updated on September 6 with a new report that seems to confirm the sale date.

Like an airplane on a glide path, the iPhone 16 series is there in the distant sky, slowly approaching landing. You want to know what's coming and when, so you're ready to first tune in to the keynote (details on how to watch are below) and when the device will be available to buy: A new report has just surfaced that seems to signal exactly when that will be.

You also need to know exactly when pre-orders start, down to the minute, so you can be at the front of the line when it comes to choosing the model, color, and storage option you want. You can find all the details on the upcoming products below.

Apple iPhone 16 release schedule: The new hint on the sales date

Apple may have just quietly confirmed the on-sale date, and as you can see below, Friday, September 20 is the best time to do so. Apple's news came in the last few hours in an announcement on Apple's Swedish website, which revealed that a new store will be opening in the Mall of Scandinavia near Stockholm (as spotted by Joe Rossignol at MacRumors).

Friday, September 20th is the store's opening day. Coinkidink? I don't think so. Of course, that's not a direct statement, but think of it this way. If the store had opened the day before, it wouldn't have any store signage for the iPhone 16 and would have to quietly re-launch its marketing after closing time – like any other Apple store. How much better would it be to throw a proper opening party by putting the latest products on sale at exactly the same moment? Apple store openings usually draw crowds, and the same goes for iPhone launch days. Combine the two and the store could be really busy.

Apple puts its iPhones on sale every Friday, a holdover from the days when the company proudly announced opening weekend sales.

Apple iPhone 16: The Keynote

Date and time

This is scheduled for a Monday – a day Apple has never attempted to launch an iPhone before – September 9th, starting at 10am Pacific time, which is 1pm Eastern time and 6pm UK time.

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What awaits you

We'll see four new iPhones in detail, with design changes, confirmation of the processor, the upgrades like camera changes and of course the importance of Apple Intelligence. We'll talk a lot about Apple Intelligence.

Prices

We will also find out the prices of the new iPhones. Will they increase by $100 per model as some rumors say? I don't know, but my gut feeling is no, Apple will keep the prices as they are.

We will also see at least two new Apple Watch models, the Series 10 and the Ultra 3, although there could also be a surprise: the new Apple Watch SE. Prices for all models are yet to be announced.

And new AirPods are on the way, possibly two entry-level versions instead of the Pro variant.

How to watch

Apple has an events page on its website that says, “Tune in on apple.com or the Apple TV app.” That's standard stuff. There's a button on the page that lets you add the event to your calendar so the event details can be downloaded with the time set for your time zone.

Alternatively, you can go to Apple's YouTube channel – here's the link to it. Usually there's a countdown there, but that didn't happen this time. There's also a “Notify” button here.

The keynote will also confirm when pre-orders will begin. If you can't wait…

Pre-orders start Friday, September 13, but check Apple.com on September 12.

I'm sure this will happen on Friday September 13th, and will probably be at 5am Pacific time (8am Eastern time, 1pm UK time). Note that it's worth checking apple.com to see if, like last year, the company will allow you to add the iPhone model you want, with the right colour and storage option, to your online shopping basket the night before, so you can click on the pre-order as soon as it goes live. This will also apply to other products that go on sale on the same day.

Apple iOS 18: Monday, September 16

If Apple follows its regular schedule, this will be September 16th at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

Apple iPhone 16 release date: Friday, September 20

If you live in Australia or New Zealand, you could be the first to get the new iPhone. Apple, of course, opens its stores at local time, and people in those countries get to the stores first: usually at 8 a.m. local time.

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