Apple

iPhone 16 Release Date: Tips & Tricks

Published

6 days ago

05/03/2024

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

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

If you do decide to wait for the iPhone 16 series, 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.

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.

Track iPhone 16 Rumors

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

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 deeper 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.

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

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 announce the operating system on stage during its WWDC 2024 keynote on June 10th.

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

We’ve heard quite a bit about iOS 18 and every single rumors hints at major upgrades to AI and Siri. For more about iOS 18, take a look at our guide.

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 definitive about iPhone 16 storage options yet, but don’t be surprised if they closely mirror the iPhone 15’s.

There’s early chatter about a 2TB storage option, but we haven’t seen other sources corroborate the rumor which means it’s very much up in the air.

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

iPhone 16 Colors

It also might be a good time to start thinking about the color you want.

We’ve seen rumors hint at potential iPhone 16 color options and it looks like we might see Apple change things up this year.

None of these colors are confirmed, but it’s a good idea to get familiar with the possibilities ahead of time.

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 if 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:

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 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.”

We don’t know how much of a jump we could see, but we may 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.

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.

9 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 16 & 8 Reasons Not To

Wait for the Best Version of iOS 18

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We've heard a lot about the iPhone 16's hardware, but the software might offer the biggest changes.

The iPhone 16 series will be powered by iOS 18, Apple's new operating system. It will debut in the summer at WWDC 2024.

Thus far, everything we've heard about iOS 18 points to major AI upgrades.

A leak from Tech_Reve on X states that Apple's using LLMs, or large language models, to "revamp Siri into the ultimate virtual assistant."

The leak also suggests that some of these AI features will be exclusive to the iPhone 16 series.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, in a report about iOS 18, says the "update also needs to be extra-impressive because the iPhone 16’s hardware won’t have any major advances" in 2024.

He says Apple is "banking on the software to sell people on the new models."

In an earning's call covering, Apple CEO Tim Cook essentially confirmed the company's big plans for AI during the company's Q1 2024 earnings call.

Cook says the company continues "to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort" on artificial intelligence and the company's "excited to share the details of our ongoing work in that space later this year."

In follow-up comments made to shareholders, Cook stated that Apple believes it will "break new ground" with "transformative" AI features later this year.

Due to the processing power required for advanced AI features, the iPhone 16 series will likely have a leg up on the iPhone 15 series and older models.

For more about iOS 18, check out our guide.