Overall sales of the iPhone 16 series are down 13% compared to the iPhone 15 series’ first weekend, with Pro models seeing significant declines. While standard iPhone 16 models show higher demand, it’s not enough to offset the Pro models’ decrease.Kuo attributes this lower demand to the delayed availability of Apple Intelligence features and strong competition in China.
Despite these reports of lower demand, the iPhone 16 series is now up for pre-orders, and the delivery timeline for all four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – have been pushed to October on Apple Store across India. But, you can still grab yours on the release day, i.e., September 20.
When pre-booking the iPhone 16 models on September 13, the day they went on pre-bookings, the Apple Store locations in India – Saket, Delhi and BKC, Mumbai – initially promised delivery on September 20. However, the store pickup option was marked unavailable, while the home delivery was pushed back to the next day. Today, when checked the delivery timeline, it now shows a delivery range of September 30 to October 14 for all four models.
Subsequently, online retailers such as Flipkart and Amazon have listed the iPhone 16 models as unavailable.
Some retail chains across India still have the iPhone 16 models in their stores. For instance, Croma is promising to deliver iPhone 16 models, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, by September 21 to pincodes in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Chennai.
However, to note, Reliance Digital, has marked the new iPhone 16 models as currently unavailable. Also, the physical stores couldn’t promise a delivery date when reached out.
Imagine stores at various locations across the country have been promising to deliver the iPhone 16 Pro models in the initial wave, when contacted, which is expected to arrive between September 20 and 21. Additionally, the iPhone 16 will be readily available starting September 20 at their stores.
We also contacted an outlet of Unicorn, an Apple premium 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 is suggesting a delivery date of September 21 for the Natural Titanium, Black Titanium, and White Titanium colours of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Unfortunately, the newly introduced Dessert Titanium colour may not be available at launch due to low stock and prebookings. Customers might have to wait until mid-October for the new colour.
Another authorised Apple reseller, informed us that the iPhone 16 models will be available for purchase at their store in Delhi on September 20. However, they informed us that all their initial stock of the iPhone 16 Pro models has been pre-booked. Therefore, customers who pre-book their iPhone 16 Pro models will receive them after September 25. However, they mentioned that customers might have to compromise on the colour options.
We also contacted some local mobile stores across the Delhi NCR and they have also promised that they are promising to deliver the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models before the September ends.
So, while the stocks run low, and customers may not get the colour of their choice, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models will be available at the launch (as of writing this story) in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, and other cities across the country.