Shocker: iPhone 16 Pro ship dates slip

If, like me, you soundly slept through this morning’s iPhone 16 preorder frenzy, you’re not likely to get a new Pro handset delivered until mid-October.

Delivery dates for some models — especially the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which seems to be the most popular — began slipping shortly after preorders went live. There seem to be plenty of “regular” iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models still available for launch-day delivery, but that could change at any time.

Personally, I managed to snag a Pro Max about two hours after the opening bell by constantly changing the color, storage options and local Apple Store for pickup.

Luckily, there was a 512GB Pro Max in black titanium available at a San Francisco store — and I managed to snag it just in time. (I tried several other options, but by the time I hit the checkout button, the system said the one I wanted was no longer available! It was like playing a game of Whac-A-Mole.)

If you want a new iPhone 16 Pro Max on opening day (next Friday, September 20), play around with the various options for the model, color and storage in the Apple Store app and see if there are any still available close to you for pickup — which is unlikely at this point.

Your other best option is to head down to stores next Friday and see if any are available.

As in years past, Apple will more than likely reserve iPhones for shoppers who turn up on launch day. No guarantee, though — but what other option have you got?

Also in today’s newsletter:

• Wow — you can get up to $1,000 off M2 iPad Pro‘s regular prices. These are older models, but that’s a very big discount.

• It’s a no-brainer, but good lighting makes all the difference in getting a good picture or video. Here are three easy tips to get the best lighting.

• We hands-on review a new rugged iPad case, but a design flaw makes it a hard pass.

• And don’t forget our buyback program. If you’re getting a new iPhone, trade in your old one with us for quick cash.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

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Today’s poll

Results from yesterday’s poll: Which iPhone 16 for you? Pro or regular?

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