While we're still early in the iPhone 16 pre-order cycle — preorders began on September 13 — some delays that could impact how soon you get your new Apple phone are already emerging. Depending on which model you buy, your phone could arrive well past the September 20 release date Apple has set, with delivery dates slipping further into October as stock decreases.
We've collected the latest shipping data from Apple's website along with ship times posted by the three major U.S. wireless carriers. We looked at ship dates for each color across all four iPhone 16 models at their default storage sizes. (That's 256GB for the iPhone 16 Pro Max and 128GB for all others).
iPhone 16 delivery dates: Apple Store
If you pre-order an iPhone 16 Pro from Apple, you'll need to wait for delivery at some point between October 8 and October 15.
If the iPhone 16 Pro Max is your desired phone, you're in for a longer wait across all four colors. Apple estimates a ship window of October 15 through October 22 for all 256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max variants.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are easier to get through Apple. Certain colors are scheduled to arrive between October 3 and October 8, at least for now, while others are set for delivery sometime between October 8 and October 15. If you haven't pre-ordered yet, you'll want to do it soon so you don't get delayed shipping.
iPhone 16 delivery date: AT&T
Over at AT&T, the pre-ordered Phone 16 Pro models are estimated to arrive between September 30 and October 14, with the exception of Black and White Titanium, which are set for October 7 through October 21.
As for iPhone 16 Pro Max orders at AT&T, every color is delayed to at least October 7 to October 21.
Want an iPhone 16 model quickly from AT&T? All colors are set to arrive between September 25 and October 9. The same goes for iPhone 16 Plus pre-orders at AT&T.
iPhone 16 delivery date: T-Mobile
T-Mobile has the iPhone 16 Pro in stock and ready to ship for an arrival date between September 26 and October 2. For those looking to preorder the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max from T-Mobile, it's set to arrive sometime between October 2 and October 8.
Whether you preorder the iPhone 16 through T-Mobile or get an iPhone 16 Plus through T-Mobile, all models are expected to arrive between September 22 and September 25.
iPhone 16 delivery date: Verizon
Verizon is doing well on iPhone 16 stock, with all color options of that phone getting delivered on September 20. That's also true of Verizon's iPhone 16 Plus pre-orders (excluding the Pink version) as well as iPhone 16 Pro models bought through the carrier.
Unfortunately, most of Verizon's iPhone 16 Pro Max orders have been delayed until October 11, so you'll have to wait a little longer if you want the top-of-the-line iPhone model in any color except Natural Titanium.
