Apple Store iPhone 16 Models Delivery Delayed to October, But Why You Won’t Have to Wait That Long to Buy New iPhones

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that demand for iPhone 16 Pro and the Pro Max price was lower than expected based on supply chain data and shipping estimates.
Total sales iPhone 16 are down 13% compared to the first weekend of the iPhone 15 series, with Pro models seeing significant declines. While standard iPhone 16 models are seeing higher demand, it’s not enough to make up for the decline in Pro models. Kuo attributes this lower demand to the delayed availability of Apple Intelligence features and stiff competition in China.
Despite reports of lower demand, the iPhone 16 series is now available for pre-order, and the delivery schedule for all four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 PlusiPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max – have been postponed to October Apple Store all over India. But you can still pick up your copy on the release date, September 20.
When pre-bookings for the iPhone 16 models went live on September 13, the day pre-bookings began, Apple Stores in India — Saket, Delhi and BKC, Mumbai — were initially promising delivery on September 20. However, the store pickup option was marked as unavailable and home delivery was pushed to the next day. Today, after checking the delivery schedule, it now shows a delivery time slot of September 30 to October 14 for all four models.
Subsequently, online retailers like Flipkart and Amazon marked the iPhone 16 models as unavailable.

Some retail chains in India still have iPhone 16 models in their stores. For example, Hunk promises to deliver iPhone 16 models, including iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, by September 21 to postal codes in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai.
It should be noted, however, that Reliance Digitalmarked the new iPhone 16 models as currently unavailable. Additionally, brick-and-mortar stores could not promise a delivery date when contacted.
Imagine stores in various locations across the country have promised to ship iPhone 16 Pro models in the first wave when contacted, with expected delivery expected to occur between September 20 and 21. Additionally, the iPhone 16 will be available in their stores starting September 20.
We also reached out to Unicorn, an exclusive Apple retailer in Noida. They suggested that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models will be available on September 20 in all colours and storage options. However, the store suggests a delivery date of September 21 for the Natural Titanium, Black Titanium and White Titanium colours for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Unfortunately, the newly launched Dessert Titanium colour may not be available at the time of launch due to low stock and advance bookings. Customers may have to wait till mid-October for the new colour.
Another Apple Authorized Reseller informed us that the iPhone 16 models will be available for sale at their Delhi store from September 20. However, they informed us that their entire initial stock of the iPhone 16 Pro models has been pre-booked. Hence, customers who pre-book their iPhone 16 Pro models will receive them after September 25. However, they mentioned that customers may have to compromise on the color options.
We also contacted a few local mobile phone stores in Delhi NCR who also promised to deliver the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models by September end.
So, while stocks are running out and customers may not get their chosen colour, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models will be available at launch (at the time of writing) in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, and other cities across the country.