The arrival of the iPhone 16 series—including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max—is just around the corner, and with it comes a flurry of anticipation and speculation. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of what to expect regarding the release of these new devices, shedding light on some intriguing details and debunking the mystery behind Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” tagline.
Understanding “It’s Glowtime”
The phrase “It’s Glowtime” has piqued considerable interest among tech enthusiasts and industry observers alike. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has provided insights that suggest two potential interpretations of this tagline. According to Gurman, the glowing colors featured in Apple’s promotional invite are likely an indication of a new user interface for Siri, referred to as Apple Intelligence. This upgrade is expected to be a significant feature of iOS 18, and the new UI will likely be a key selling point for the upcoming iPhone models.
In the redesigned Siri UI, instead of the small greenish glowing ball at the bottom of the screen that appears when you activate Siri, the new iOS 18 will display a glowing edge around the entire display. This new visual effect not only aligns with the colors shown in Apple’s invite but also offers a more immersive and visually appealing interaction with Siri. While this feature is currently available in the public beta of iOS 18.1 on the iPhone 15 Pro, it will be a standard feature across all iPhone 16 models.
Gurman also mentions another possible interpretation of “Glowtime.” According to him, “Glow” is the codename for macOS Sequoia, the forthcoming version of Apple’s macOS. It is anticipated that macOS Sequoia will be released alongside or shortly after iOS 18, although Gurman notes that this connection might be unintentional. Typically, macOS releases follow iOS and iPadOS by a few weeks, so it is plausible that macOS Sequoia could launch in tandem with iOS 18.1. We can expect the official release date for these updates to be announced during the upcoming keynote.
Changes in the Release Schedule
This year, there appears to be a notable adjustment in the pre-order schedule for the iPhone 16 series. Historically, Apple has opened pre-orders on the Friday following the keynote address. However, according to German site Macerkopf, pre-orders for the iPhone 16 series are now expected to start on Thursday, September 12, rather than the usual Friday, September 13.
The rationale behind this change is not entirely clear. Given that Apple has previously shown a lack of superstition regarding launch dates (notably naming a phone the iPhone 13), it is unlikely that superstition plays a role here. Additionally, the earlier keynote date could simply be a logistical adjustment rather than a deliberate choice related to the calendar.
In the past, Apple has provided an opportunity to select your preferred iPhone model online a day before pre-orders officially begin. This allowed customers to prepare their orders in advance, giving them a head start when pre-orders opened. It is highly probable that Apple will implement a similar approach this year, allowing you to select and save your iPhone choice the night before pre-orders start on Thursday. Therefore, while the official pre-order date is September 12, you might be able to finalize your selection on September 11 to be ready for the official start.
The iPhone Release Process
The release process for the iPhone 16 series will follow a well-established timeline, beginning with the announcement of the keynote event and culminating in the release of the new devices. Here is a detailed look at the expected timeline:
Official Event Invitations Apple sent out the official invitations for the special event on Monday, August 26, confirming the date and time when the new iPhone models will be unveiled. This is a crucial milestone as it sets the stage for the upcoming announcements.
The Apple Special Event The special event is scheduled to take place at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino on Monday, September 9, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. This date was correctly predicted by me, diverging from the widely anticipated Tuesday, September 10. It’s always exciting to get the timing right, and this event will mark the first public unveiling of the iPhone 16 series.
Pre-Orders Commence Traditionally, Apple opens pre-orders for its new devices on the Friday following the keynote. This year, that would place the pre-order start date on September 13. The pre-orders usually begin at 5 a.m. Pacific Time (8 a.m. Eastern Time, 1 p.m. in the U.K.), though this timing can be subject to change.
Release of iOS 18 Apple typically releases its new operating systems around the same time as the keynote or shortly after. iOS 18 is expected to be released on Monday, September 16, at around 10 a.m. Pacific Time (1 p.m. Eastern Time, 6 p.m. U.K.). If your iPhone is compatible with iOS 17, it will also support iOS 18, which extends compatibility to models as far back as the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone Xr.
Review Embargo Lifts Reviews for the new iPhone models are expected to be published early in the week following the keynote. Press and tech reviewers will likely receive their review units shortly after the special event. Reviews may appear on Tuesday, September 17, or Wednesday, September 18, with the embargo lifting at 6 a.m. Pacific Time (9 a.m. Eastern Time, 2 p.m. U.K.).
iPhone 16 Series Goes On Sale Apple typically releases its new iPhones on the Friday following the keynote event. For the iPhone 16 series, this would mean a release date of Friday, September 20. Sales usually begin in the early morning local time, around 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. depending on your location.
As we approach these significant dates, I will continue to update this guide to confirm or adjust the information as necessary. Stay tuned for further updates and be prepared for the exciting launch of the iPhone 16 series!
