Three hours ahead of preorders opening for the iPhone 16 range, AirPods, and black Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple has taken down its store.
Apple Store notice
Typically Apple posts a notice saying something to the effect that it's making changes to the store. This time the online Apple Store says "we love that early energy," and that the store is "almost ready for you."
Whatever the back end processes Apple is working on, taking down the store does always create a buzz of anticipation. It does, though, mean that preorders for the Apple Watch Series 10 have been paused.
It's not actually possible to buy anything on the online Apple Store at present. Even the direct "Buy" buttons on device pages route back to the closed store.
Preorders begin at 5 a.m. Pacific, 8 a.m. Eastern. In theory the store will reopen then, but in practice it can be several minutes afterwards that it is available everywhere.
Apple is not the only place to buy the new iPhone 16 range, however. Plus other vendors are certain have either better deals, or outright better prices.
- AT&T Wireless - Get up to $1,000 off iPhone 16 models at AT&T with an eligible trade*
- Verizon Wireless - Get an iPhone 16 on Verizon with the Unlimited Ultimate plan and trade*
- Visible - Get up to $360 in monthly credits when you join Visible and buy an iPhone 16 Pro* Terms and conditions apply. Please see site for details.