iPhone 16 Preorders Are Open Now. Best Deals and How to Get the iPhone You Want [CNET]

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Retailers and carriers have started accepting preorders for Apple’s latest smartphone.

Adrian is a deals writer on the Commerce team at CNET. With a love of books, entertainment, travel, tabletop games and, yes, even fandom, they can often be found at concerts, RenFest, Dragon Con or at home binge-watching everything from new hits to classics. After graduating from Kennesaw State with a B.A. in English and Professional Writing, Adrian had a short gig in casting, followed by a long stint teaching English lit, theater and film, before transitioning into commerce writing in 2021. Adrian enjoys sharing insights and favorite finds with their readers.

Adam Oram is a Senior Editor at CNET. He studied Media at Newcastle University and has been writing about technology since 2013. He previously worked as a Senior Writer at iMore, Deals Editor at Thrifter, and as an Apple Genius. His spare time is spent watching football (both kinds), playing Pokémon games, and eating vegan food.

Watch this: Hands-On with iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

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You can preorder the iPhone 16 series from the Apple Store starting Friday, Sept. 13, at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET), with the expected arrival date to be Sept. 20.  

Apple is already offering some carrier deals with preorders as well. Existing Verizon customers can save up to $930 with trade-in; AT&T customers can save up to $800 with trade-in and both T-Mobile and Boost customers save up up to $1,000 with no trade-in required.

T-Mobile will offer the full iPhone 16 lineup for preorder beginning Friday, Sept. 13, with in-store availability at T-Mobile on Sept. 20. Both new and existing customers can trade in an eligible device on Go5G Next get an iPhone 16 Pro for free or up to $1,000 off any iPhone 16 model. Those who trade in and are on the Go5G Plus plan can get a free iPhone 16 or up to $830 off any other iPhone 16 model. If you have another Go5G, you can still qualify for the iPhone 16 or up to $830 off if you trade in and add a new line.

AT&T take preorders for the iPhone 16 lineup beginning Friday, Sept. 13, at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET). You can get up to $1,000 off on iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max and up to $830 off on iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, with an eligible trade-in. That essentially nets you an iPhone 16 or 16 Pro for free. These discounts are dolled out over 36 months in the form of bill credits. 

Eligible devices are smartphones with a minimum trade-in value of $180 for up to $1,000 off the iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max. For other phones in the series, the trade-in device must have a minimum value between $130 and $179. Additionally, customers must sign up for or be on an unlimited voice and data plan.

Starting this Friday, Sept. 13, you can preorder the iPhone 16 lineup via Boost’s site, its Amazon storefront or the Apple store. Purchase an iPhone 16 on a $25 per month unlimited plan and you can get one entire year free of Boost Unlimited 5G mobile service or opt to get up to $1,000 off a device — no trade-in required. 

Opt to get Boost mobile service through Apple Stores or Apple’s website and trade in an eligible iPhone through Apple to receive between $180 and $650 additional credits. 

Xfinity Mobile will carry the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, all of which will be available for preorder beginning Friday, Sept. 13, with availability on Sept. 20. It will also carry the AirPods 4 as well as the latest Apple Watches, which can be preordered now and available Sept. 20. 

At this time, there are no deals announced, but we anticipate those to be on par with other carriers and will update this post accordingly once those are announced. 

Verizon will be offering the iPhone 16 series for preorder beginning Friday, Sept. 13, with availability on Friday, Sept. 20. They are offering a number of deals already. 

New and existing Verizon customers on the Unlimited Ultimate plan can get an iPhone 16 Pro for free or up to $1,000 off another phone in the iPhone 16 lineup, when you trade in any phone in any condition. If you opt for the Unlimited Plus, you can get up to $830 off or choose the Unlimited Welcome plan and you can still get up $415 off phones in the iPhone 16 series. 

If you switch to Verizon or add a new line, you can get an iPhone 16 Pro for just $10 per month on the Ultimate Unlimted plan (36 months) or $15 per month on the Unlimited Plus plan. 

And finally, there’s the option to bring your own device and add a new line to receive a promotional credit: $360 if you opt for the Unlimited Plus plan or $540 on if you opt for the Unlimited Ultimate. This promo credit is applied over 36 months. 

Best Buy is launching iPhone 16 series preorders Sept. 13 at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET) and if you purchase your new iPhone through Best Buy with a qualified activation and trade-in through AT&T, you can save up to $1,000 on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Walmart is offering the iPhone 16 lineup for preorder on Sept. 13, with availability on Sept. 20. While Walmart is not offering any unlocked model deals, you can save on carrier options through AT&T. New and existing AT&T customers can trade in an eligible device worth $130, you can get up to $830 off; if you have a device to trade in worth $180, you can save up to $1,000 off the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. You’ll have to activate a new line or upgrade your line to an eligible plan if you’re not already on one. 

Grab a phone from the iPhone 16 lineup at Visible and score $360 towards your Visible Plus service. Simply join Visible on a new line of service, purchase an eligible device either on device payment or at full retail price, select the Visible Plus plan and activate your service within 30 days. You’ll receive a $10 discount off your monthly service for a period of 36 months for a total savings of $360.