The iPhone 16 pre-order excitement has finally begun, but the chaos has already set in. While fans of the latest iPhone model are buzzing with anticipation, a harsh reality has started to sink in - some models are already experiencing significant shortages, leading to frustrating waiting periods for those trying to get their hands on the new device.
According to early reports, the iPhone 16 Pro models are the most affected, with buyers facing potential waiting periods that could stretch for several weeks. While this might be a blessing in disguise for those who prefer the standard iPhone 16 model, fans of the Pro variants are in for a disappointment.
The pre-order frenzy kicked off just recently, but Apple's official website is already showcasing longer waiting times for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Various colors and storage sizes are impacted, signaling a severe supply chain issue for Apple.
So, how long exactly will buyers have to wait for their iPhone 16 Pro? Apple hasn't offered official information on the shortage or the cause behind it, but resellers and other third-party sources indicate varying wait times that depend on the storage capacity and color of the device. For instance, some colors of the 512GB iPhone 16 Pro model are stated to ship out between 3-5 business days, while the 1TB variant could take around 2-3 weeks to be delivered.
Meanwhile, some resellers are listing their shipping dates as late as October or even November for the 1TB iPhone 16 Pro Max model in certain colors. The shortages seem more pronounced for the 1TB iPhone 16 Pro models, implying a supply chain issue that Apple must immediately address.
Why the shortage, though? While we can only speculate, analyst predictions and market trends suggest several reasons behind this predicament. One theory points towards higher-than-expected demand for the iPhone 16 Pro series, indicating Apple may have underestimated just how popular these devices would be. Furthermore, rumors about ongoing component shortages and production issues could be the contributing factors.
Despite this latest snag, Apple is probably exploring possible solutions to address these stock issues. For those whose pre-orders have been affected, this is no consolation. If you've placed your order, there's nothing to do but wait and hope that the delivery estimates get revised for the better.