The iPhone 16 was released on September 20, and is now available from Apple, mobile carriers, and third-party retailers.
Apple's newest model features a new high-speed processor and a handy Action Button. The arrival of the iPhone 16 also means that Apple's older models are now on sale, with several hot deals over on our guide to the best iPhone deals in Canada.
Want to learn more about the forthcoming iPhone 16 series? Read on to find out everything you need to know about the newest line of Apple phones.
iPhone launch dates
Apple announced launch dates for the iPhone 16 at its event on September 9. The phone was released everywhere on September 20.
iPhone release dates
The iPhone 16 series was released on September 20. You can purchase it from Apple, your carrier, or a third-party retailer like Amazon.
The very first iPhone in history was announced on January 9, 2007, and made its world debut five long months later on June 29. Since then, Apple has announced its iPhone lineup much closer to its physical shipping release.
See in the table below all iPhone models in order of release with their launch dates:
List of iPhone release dates in order
| iPhone | Year | New iPhones Announced | Release/Shipping Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max | 2024 | September 9 | September 20 |
| iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max | 2023 | September 12 | September 22 |
| iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max | 2022 | September 7 | September 16 |
| iPhone SE 3rd Gen (2022) | 2022 | March 8 | March 18 |
| iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 13 Mini | 2021 | September 14 | September 24 |
| iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 12 Mini | 2020 | October 13 | October 23 |
| iPhone SE 2nd Gen (2020) | 2020 | April 17 | April 24 |
| iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max | 2019 | September 10 | September 20 |
| iPhone XR | 2018 | September 12 | October 26 |
| iPhone XS, XS Max | 2018 | September 12 | September 21 |
| iPhone X | 2017 | September 12 | November 3 |
| iPhone 8, 8 Plus | 2017 | September 12 | September 22 |
| iPhone 7, 7 Plus | 2016 | September 7 | September 16 |
| iPhone SE (1st Generation) | 2016 | March 21 | March 31 |
| iPhone 6s, 6s Plus | 2015 | September 9 | September 20 |
| iPhone 6, 6 Plus | 2014 | September 9 | September 20 |
| iPhone 5C, 5s | 2013 | September 10 | September 10 |
| iPhone 5 | 2012 | September 12 | September 21 |
| iPhone 4s | 2011 | October 4 | October 14 |
| iPhone 4 | 2010 | June 7 | June 21 |
| iPhone 3GS | 2009 | June 8-12 | June 19 |
| iPhone 3G | 2008 | June 9-13 | June 29 |
| iPhone | 2007 | January 9 | June 29 |
iPhone 16 rumours and launch date
The iPhone 16 lineup was announced at the Apple event on September 9. The lineup includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Here are some of the best features from the 16 lineup.
Action Button
The entire iPhone 16 series includes an Action Button, which previously appeared on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The Action Button is customizable, effectively providing a dedicated switch for Silent Mode, Flashlight, Camera, and more. You can assign its function to whatever setting is most important to you.
The phones also feature an additional camera control button on the phone's right side, allowing you to operate the device like a DSLR camera.
A18 chip
The entire 16 series will include A18 Bionic chips, with the Pro models receiving A18 Bionic Pro chips. That's a big jump from the A16 Bionic chips of the 15 series. It's also be noticeable for users: Apple claims that it'll make the new iPhone operate 30% than its predecessor.
Bigger screens for Pro models
The 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max received upgrades on their screens. The 16 Pro is 6.3" while the Pro Max lives up to its name with a massive 6.9" display. That's a big upgrade from the 15 series, which featured a 6.1" display for the iPhone 15 Pro and a 6.7" screen for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
AI, AI, AI (did we mention AI?)
Every tech company is racing to develop the shiniest AI tools to woo new consumers. Apple is no exception. The company's talking heads spent most of the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote talking about iOS 18's new AI features.
Apple will roll out its long-touted Apple Intelligence with its newest phones, though most of those features won't arrive until after the iPhone 16 series has been released. Bloomberg reports that Apple Intelligence will be released in October through a software update.
iPhone preorder dates
The iPhone 16 is now available from Apple, all major carriers, and third-party retailers. The iPhone 16 costs $1,129, with the iPhone 16 Plus at $1,279. The iPhone 16 Pro, meanwhile, costs $1,149, with the 16 Pro Max at $1,749.
Where to buy the newest iPhone
You have several options when it comes to buying the latest and greatest iPhone:
- Buy from a cell phone carrier (e.g., Bell, Telus, Rogers)
- Buy direct from Apple
- Buy from a retailer
There are a few benefits to buying from a cell phone carrier, in particular, one of the major carriers listed above, including:
- Discounts and special deals (which Apple doesn't usually offer), especially during the preorder period
- Option to pay for the phone via monthly payments (with no interest) rather than buying the iPhone outright
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 256GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 Plus 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 Plus 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 Pro 128GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
If you find the prices for the iPhone 16 to be too high, we recommend looking into the iPhone 15. You can start your iPhone 15 search with some of the most popular cell phone plan options or choose an iPhone 15 model below.
|
#1
|
Fido
$15 Basic Plan with 100 Minutes + 250MB
$15/mth
+ $1,027 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
Koodo Mobile
$15 - No Tab/BYO Plan with 250MB Data
$15/mth
+ $1,037 Upfront
|
|
#3
|
SaskTel
Talk and Text + Data 15
$15/mth
+ $1,076.99 Upfront
|
|
#4
|
Fizz
Unlimited Minutes & Text Messaging + 1GB Data
$16/mth
+ $1,004 Upfront
|
|
#5
|
Fizz
Unlimited Minutes & Text Messaging + 1GB Data
$16/mth
+ $1,004 Upfront
|
iPhone 15 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP, 12MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 15 512GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP, 12MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 15 Pro 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP, 12MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 15 Pro 256GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP, 12MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP, 12MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Kevin Kearney
Kevin is an experienced journalist and writer whose musings on tech, education, and culture have appeared in Stereogum, InsideHook, The Millions, and elsewhere. As Deputy Editor for WhistleOut, he offers unique expertise on the inner workings of the mobile industry, and has a particular passion for emerging efficiencies within smartphone apps. When he’s not researching the telecom market, he enjoys reading, running, and playing music.
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