iPhone 16 Release Date: Tips & Tricks [u]

Are you planning to skip the iPhone 15 and upgrade to a new iPhone in 2024? If that’s the case, you might want to start taking early steps to prepare for the iPhone 16 release date.

If you aren’t in love with Apple’s 2023 iPhone models, you might be thinking about upgrading next year. That may not be a bad idea.

We’ve already heard quite a bit about the iPhone 16, the presumed name of the 2024 iPhones, and what we’ve heard might impress you.

If you do decide to wait for the iPhone 16, which may include a higher-end iPhone 16 Ultra, there are some things you’ll want to do before the devices arrive on shelves.

It’s early, so there’s no reason to go overboard, but taking some steps ahead of time will ensure you’re fully prepared to buy an iPhone 16 model when the time comes.

You may even decide buy another iPhone model or a device outside of Apple’s ecosystem long before the company announces the iPhone 16 series.

Updated October 30th to reflect rumors about the iPhone 16 price. This article was originally published on Tuesday, August 15th.

Table of Contents

In this guide we’ll take prospective buyers through some important steps to take ahead of Apple’s inevitable iPhone 16 launch next year.

Track iPhone 16 Rumors

We’ve got a long way to go before Apple announces the iPhone 16 and in that time we’re going to hear a lot more about its features and its release.

If you’re even remotely interested in upgrading to one of the 2024 iPhones, you’ll want to regularly, or periodically, check the rumor mill for the latest information. The devices are still in development and Apple’s plans can, and probably will, change.

Tracking iPhone 16 rumors is important because it will a) help you get familiar with potential features/changes and b) help you set proper expectations. This is crucial because if you don’t like what you’re hearing, you may want to start looking for another device.

For the latest iPhone 16 news, check out our roundup.

Check Your Upgrade Status

As we push into 2024 you’ll want to keep an eye on your upgrade status to ensure you’ll be in good standing when the iPhone 16 release date drops. Again, it’s safe to assume it will land in September, 2024.

Checking your current upgrade status is extremely easy and it only takes a few minutes. Here’s how to quickly check your upgrade eligibility online at Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular. You can also call customer support if you’d prefer to check that way.

Get Familiar with iOS

If you don’t currently own an iPhone, or you’re using an iPhone with an outdated operating system, use this time to get familiar with the iPhone’s operating system, iOS 17.

iOS 17 won’t be the software that powers the iPhone 16 models, but it’s still important to get familiar with it. This is especially true if you plan to move from Android to iOS in 2024.

If you’re curious about iOS 17 and its features, take a look at our guide.

The iPhone 16 series will run iOS 18 out of the box. Apple will likely announce iOS 18 on stage during WWDC 2024 in June of next year.

In addition to keeping an eye out for iPhone 16 rumors, you may want to track iOS 18 rumors as well.

Figure Out How Much Storage You Need

You should start thinking about how much storage you might want on your next phone. Selecting the right amount of iPhone storage will help you save money and avoid headaches down the road.

Some of you will be fine choosing an iPhone 16 with the least amount of storage, but others will want the peace of mind that comes with having a lot of space.

We haven’t heard anything about iPhone 16 storage options yet, but don’t be surprised if they mirror the iPhone 15’s.

To get a head start, have a look at our iPhone 15 storage guide.

Look at Other iPhones

Before you decide to wait for the iPhone 16’s release, you’ll want to look at Apple’s current iPhone models. You might find a model you really like.

First, we recommend taking a look at Apple’s current flagships, the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Go hands-on when you can.

You’ll also want to look at the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. We also suggest taking a look at the budget iPhone SE 3.

Waiting for the iPhone 16 might seem like a great idea, but you might be much better off with another iPhone. You won’t know until you do your homework.

Research Other iPhone 16 Alternatives

You should also look at current, and upcoming, iPhone 16 alternatives.

There are a bunch of excellent iPhone alternatives out there on the market right now, but here are some of our current favorites:

You’ll also want to keep an eye on upcoming alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy S24 series as well. Samsung’s planning to release its new Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra models in early 2024, probably sometime in January.

Make a Plan for Your Current Phone

Use this time to come up with a plan for your current phone. The iPhone 16 series won’t be cheap and if you keep your phone in good condition, you should be able to save quite a bit of money.

We’ve heard the iPhone 16 price could increase next year thanks to increased production costs. Another report concurs and suggests a change to the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera lens means the devices could face “price pressure” next year.

We don’t know how much of a jump we could see, but we could certainly see Apple increase the price by $50-100.

If you want to trade in your device to offset the cost of your next phone, be it the iPhone 16 or another device, you’ll want to keep it in the best condition possible. This is how you’ll get the most money back from resellers, your carrier, or Apple when iPhone 16 trade-in offers go live.

If you don’t plan to trade it in, you might know of a friend or relative who could make use of your current phone. Ask around and see if anyone might need a hand-me-down next year.

You might also look into donating your phone to charity.

Decide on a Carrier

If you’re unhappy with your provider’s coverage or data plan, dig into the competition and see if you can find a better fit for your next iPhone.

Every carrier has pros and cons, but you might find one that stands out. If you’re interested in switching carriers, make sure you shop around in the months ahead.

6 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 16 & 6 Reasons Not To

Wait for Performance Improvements

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The iPhone 16 series should come equipped with a new processor (likely the A18), but performance improvements will likely go beyond that.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple might have support for Wi-Fi 7. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, the standard could provide speeds up to 30Gbps.

It also says it will "support reduced latency and jitter for time sensitive networking applications including AR/VR, 4K and 8K video streaming, automotive, cloud computing, gaming and video applications."

Kuo's information has been backed up by Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu.

Pu claims the base iPhone 16 models, presumably called iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, will come with Apple's A18 chip and 8GB of RAM while the higher-end models would come with an A18 Pro processor. He's reiterated this stance in a newer note.

This has been backed up by a report from a user on Weibo who says the lower-end models will come with the first Apple chip specifically designed for the standard models.

This is an interesting development because it means the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus would skip the company's A17 chip.

Jeff Pu also says the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will sport Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X75 modem. This should lead to faster, and more efficient, 5G connectivity.

Pu believes the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will keep the Snapdragon X70 modem from Apple's iPhone 15 lineup.