The iPhone 16: An Early Release for Apple’s Latest and Greatest

Apple has surprised everyone by announcing an event on September 9 instead of the expected September 10. The event, titled “It’s Glowtime,” strongly hints at the introduction of the iPhone 16 series. A new leak suggests that pre-orders will also kick off earlier than anticipated.

Apple typically holds its iPhone events on Tuesdays, but this year will mark the first time in history that an iPhone is unveiled on a Monday. The reason for choosing September 9 for the iPhone 16 series launch could be to avoid clashing with the U.S. presidential debate on September 10.

Usually, Apple opens pre-orders for its phones on the Friday of the same week as the event, but this year, the pre-order program will reportedly start on Thursday, September 12. This leak comes from the German store Macerkopf, but it is unclear if it is based on a reliable source or simply an assumption made by adding three days to the launch date.

Assuming the pre-orders start on September 12, it is also possible that the phones will be released on September 19, but this is purely speculative.

This year’s schedule might be slightly off from the usual routine. Apple is concerned about declining iPhone sales and has started training its sales staff on the features of Apple Intelligence, as it will be a crucial part of the sales pitch in retail stores.

The company will also hold a mandatory meeting for retail employees on the evening of September 12 or the morning of September 13, which is another deviation from the norm as such meetings typically take place on Sundays.

The iPhone 16 series is expected to feature a new 3nm chip with improved performance. The Pro models are rumored to have larger screens, while the standard models will reportedly have an Action button and a redesigned camera module. The entire lineup may also include a shutter button.