Apple has introduced the iPhone 16e, a cheaper sibling to the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max that launched in September 2024. On Friday, February 21 the Apple Store will open for pre-orders, so that those who want a handset can race to place their order and then wait a week or so to receive the new handset which officially goes on sale on February 28.
Unfortunately, you are unlikely to be the only person pre-ordering a new iPhone. In our experience, a hesitation of only a few minutes can postpone the delivery of a device by days, if not weeks. In this article, we’ll help you get ready so that you can place your order quickly and be one of the first to get the new iPhone from Apple.
So, if you want to be in with the best chance of getting a new iPhone 16e model read on to find out what you should do – now!
Of course, you don’t have to pre-order and you don’t have to buy from Apple. Alongside the Apple Stores other resellers will be selling the iPhone from February 28. Alternative resellers in the U.S. will include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Boost Infinite, Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. In the U.K. as well as the phone networks you can buy a new iPhone off contract from Amazon, Currys, Argos, AO, KRCS and others in the U.K.
Check out our best iPhone deals round up to get the best prices. We also share: Where to get the best iPhone 16, 16e, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max deals in the U.S. and Where to get the best iPhone 16, 16e, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max deals in the U.K.
However, experience in recent years indicates that Apple prefers its own stores and online customers when the popular devices are delivered, so the first tip is obvious: If you want to get hold of the iPhone 16e quickly, order directly from Apple.
Not sure whether to buy the iPhone 16e or pay more and get another model? Read our iPhone buying guide.
What day do iPhone pre-orders start?
You will be able to pre-order the iPhone 16e on Friday, February 21 at 8 a.m. ET, 5 a.m. PT and 1 p.m. in the U.K. (we’ve included more times at more locations below).
Where else can you pre-order/buy the new iPhone?
U.S. readers can also pre-order the iPhone 16e at:
U.K. readers can also pre-order a new iPhone 16e at:
- Mobiles.co.uk
- EE
- Vodafone
- O2
- Three
- Sky Mobile
- Argos
- Box.co.uk
- Carphone Warehouse
- iD Mobile
- Tesco Mobile
- Mobile Phones Direct
When will the new iPhone go on sale?
You can pre-order from Friday 21, but the iPhone 16e will be available buy on Friday, February 28.
Some lucky shoppers will get their iPhone that day, but stock is likely to sell out quickly, so there may be a few days wait until some of the new iPhones are delivered.
What time will pre-orders start?
Pre-order start at the following times where most of our readers live:
- U.S.: at 5am (PST/PDT), 6am (MST/MDT), 7am (CST/CDT), 8am (EST/EDT)
- Canada: as above, and 9am (AST/ADT)
- U.K.: at 1pm (GMT/BST)
- Europe: at 2pm (CET/CEST), 3pm (EET, EEST)
- India: at 5.30pm (IST)
- Australia: at 8pm (AWST/AWDT), 9.30pm (ACST/ACDT), 10pm (AEST/AEDT)
- New Zealand: at midnight the following day (NZST/NZDT)
How to pre-order a new iPhone
If you want to be one of the first to receive your new iPhone you need to be ready to make your pre-order as early as possible. Therefore we recommend you do the following as soon as you can so that on the day pre-orders start you only need to click buy now!
Create or verify your account at the Apple Store now
Foundry
It is advisable to check the account you use to make purchases with Apple now. You don’t want to find that you need to enter a new credit card or alternative delivery address when you are attempting to order your iPhone. Don’t delay because Apple is very likely to take the Apple Store offline before the product launches – so you won’t be able to make any amendments to your account. Don’t wait until the day pre-orders start to check your account because inevitably on entering the Apple website you will be greeted with an Apple logo and the words: “We’ll be right back”.
How to check your Apple account
- The summary of your Apple account activities can be found at this link.
- Log in with your password or touch or Face ID.
- Check whether the delivery address is still correct.
- Check whether a current credit card is listed as the payment method.
Find the iPhone you want and get ready to pre-order
Screenshot
Foundry
Following the keynote the new iPhones quickly appeared in Apple’s web store, but with no Buy or Pre-Order option. However, Apple does include a Get Ready To Pre-Order feature which will allow you to save your desired variant as a favourites. Here’s what to do:
How to choose your iPhone
- Find the iPhone you want on the Apple website and you can go to the iPhone 16e pre-order page via View Pricing.
- Choose the exact iPhone you want: model, color, storage, if you have a phone to trade in.
- Now choose your payment options – whether you want to pay upfront or in monthly payments.
- If you are in the U.S. at this point you can select your carrier from AT&T, Boost or T-Mobile. (In the U.K. you buy the iPhone unlocked so there is no need to choose a network).
- Add AppleCare+ if you want to.
- Now click on Get Ready for Pre-Order
- On the next page Apple offers you the option to add more accessories, confirm payment information (Apple will verify your card by changing it $/£0), enter contact information, and agree to the terms.
- Once you have done all these steps click on Save Your Pre-Order Info.
Don’t worry – you won’t be charged until you complete your pre-order on pre-order day.
Pre-order iPhone
Apple
On the day that pre-orders start the Apple Store is likely to be down right until the pre-orders start.
Get ready to refresh the page just before pre-orders commence where you are.
Thanks to your preparation you will quickly be able to select the iPhone you want and your bank and delivery details will be all ready. All you need to do is wait!
Good luck!