According to AppleInsider, all stock of Apple's most expensive new smartphone, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, sold out in just 18 minutes after pre-orders opened on September 13. Journalists discovered this by analyzing the delivery times for the device.

When ordering the iPhone 16 Pro Max in the U.S., Apple initially promised delivery within 7–10 business days, which is a normal timeframe. However, just two hours after pre-orders began, the delivery window extended to 3–4 weeks. Almost immediately, the phones in all colors and storage configurations were sold out.

Delivery times began to differ from the initial estimates just 18 minutes after sales started. AppleInsider believes that this is when Apple’s initial stock of the smartphones was depleted.

In comparison, delivery times for the more affordable iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 16 Pro models remained more consistent, with delivery promised by September 20. AppleInsider journalists note that demand for base iPhone models is always lower.

For users who missed the first wave of pre-orders, AppleInsider recommended checking with mobile carrier stores. Like in Apple’s official stores, the new models will go on sale starting September 20, 2024.

The iPhone 16 series of smartphones was presented on September 9, along with the Apple Watch Series 10 smartwatch, as well as the new AirPods 4 headphones.