Carrier AT&T: iPhone 16/Plus/Pro/Pro Max US Pre-Orders, Orders, and Delivery Status Thread (2024)

[PleaseSandwich]

Apple can do it for sure. You can pre-order online and the system will tell you if the phone you want will be available for pickup at a particular store.

I just did a quick look for Teal and there was availability for Saturday pickup (in SoCal).

I didn't do this yet, because this weekend has some scheduling land mines. However, we could set up an appointment for Sunday afternoon or later at an Apple Store. (I wish you could select a future date on the Apple website.) I do see that Apple offers $9 day-of delivery in my area -- I could possibly get the phone delivered today!

But when filling out the order form on the Apple website, I'm confused about how the AT&T financing part works. How do they know that I want to trade in a device for the promotional credit? What will Apple charge me? I get that an Apple Store employee can help me navigate this in person, but will it work if I order delivery?

 

[dontcareaboutit]

I don’t think mine is going to get delivered today:
Estimated delivery
Today, September 20 by 7:00 P.M.

On the Way
Preparing for Delivery

Oshkosh, WI, United States

09/20/2024, 11:33 A.M.

 

[ATL0921]

No signature required this year apparently. UPS dropped it off when I was 30 min from home, thankfully, cuz no one was home

 

[joefrank64k]

I didn't do this yet, because this weekend has some scheduling land mines. However, we could set up an appointment for Sunday afternoon or later at an Apple Store. (I wish you could select a future date on the Apple website.) I do see that Apple offers $9 day-of delivery in my area -- I could possibly get the phone delivered today!

But when filling out the order form on the Apple website, I'm confused about how the AT&T financing part works. How do they know that I want to trade in a device for the promotional credit? What will Apple charge me? I get that an Apple Store employee can help me navigate this in person, but will it work if I order delivery?

Unknown how same-day delivery works with trade-in.

It does seem like there‘s plenty of stock.

Are you sure you can’t schedule ahead? IIRC, I was able to schedule a few days ahead when picking up in-store. Also, they will hold your order for about a week if you don’t make your scheduled pickup time.

 

[PleaseSandwich]

Unknown how same-day delivery works with trade-in.

It does seem like there‘s plenty of stock.

Are you sure you can’t schedule ahead? IIRC, I was able to schedule a few days ahead when picking up in-store. Also, they will hold your order for about a week if you don’t make your scheduled pickup time.

If there's a way to schedule ahead, it's not clear on the Apple site. For each store near me, it just says "Saturday <location>" "today <location>" etc. The only choice I have is to choose a location. I guess if I go further into the checkout process? I wanted to see what options I had before committing.

I saw some people say on Reddit that some stores only keep the phones until the end of the pickup day.

 

[PleaseSandwich]

(Well, they all say "Available Tomorrow" except one store that is many hundreds of miles away that says "Today" and another even further away that is offering Sunday. But there's no way to adjust one of the closer stores to a different date. They assume I want it ASAP.)

 

[doccho]

I’ve been ordering my iPhones with AT&T installments since 2020, taking advantage of promotional credits ranging from $800 to $1,000 as an existing customer. I’ve purchased the iPhone 12PM, 13PM, 15PM, and 16PM. Except for the 16PM, I ordered all through apple.com. When placing the orders, I was never asked for specific details about my trade-in model upfront. I simply brought the eligible trade-in iPhones to a local AT&T store and processed them in person.

However, when I recently ordered the iPhone 16PM, I noticed a change. Apple.com required me to provide detailed information about the trade-in device, including the IMEI number. I missed the opportunity on apple.com, so I went to att.com to place the same order. AT&T’s site also asked for IMEI information, specifying which iPhone I’d be trading in. This level of detail wasn’t required in my previous orders. AT&T also stated that they would send a trade-in kit along with the new iPhone 16PM.

My questions are:

1. Am I required to turn in the specific iPhone I pledged when placing my order, or can I submit a different eligible iPhone, such as my iPhone 12PM, which qualifies for a $1,000 credit this year (a better deal than last year’s)?
2. Can I still process my trade-in in person at a local AT&T store, as I’ve done in the past? I prefer in-person processing to get a receipt, as mailing the trade-in kit often takes longer and carries some risks.

 

[alinefx]

trying iPhone data transfer via USB-C cable now, about 750GB, said 2 hours first, now saying 3 hours:

https://imgur.com/a/lHB7VVI

 

[joefrank64k]

Both 16PM 1TB Desert Ti have arrived!!

AW10 also arrived for my wife (I’m sticking with AWU2 for another year, first time since 2015 haha!!)

Now to setup and enjoy…until next year and 17 Ultra?? Slim??

Good luck to those still waiting!!

 

[Cyberguycpt]

No signature required this year apparently. UPS dropped it off when I was 30 min from home, thankfully, cuz no one was home

Same, bro was home but sleeps like a log I was blowing up his phone.

 

[joefrank64k]

Pretty cool, I’m on Developer Beta 4 18.1.

During setup, new iPhone asked if I wanted to stay on Beta to setup new iPhone. I tapped ‘yes’. Now it’s installing 18.1 DB4. Neat.

 

[dave006]

Now to setup and enjoy…until next year and 17 Ultra?? Slim??

We think it will be the 17 Air...

Dave

 

[alinefx]

Pretty cool, I’m on Developer Beta 4 18.1.

During setup, new iPhone asked if I wanted to stay on Beta to setup new iPhone. I tapped ‘yes’. Now it’s installing 18.1 DB4. Neat.

I DFU'ed and just directly installed the 18.1 B4 image and then did a cable transfer from iP15 PM 1TB, transferring about 750GB via TB3 cable, took 100 mins in total to transfer all apps, and more importantly, all the offline content on the old iPhone like Apple Music Library, YouTube Offline content etc.

https://imgur.com/a/bJFeiN8

It stayed at 2 mins remaining for about 8 minutes from the 92-minute mark. Apps still download from the cloud even when you do it this way, so it only makes sense if you have a lot of local media content like I did.

 

[smb63]

My PM arrived today. Estimated ship date was October 11-15. First time I ever got an iPhone on release day. Maybe the rumors of sales down this year are true.

 

[dave006]

However, when I recently ordered the iPhone 16PM, I noticed a change. Apple.com required me to provide detailed information about the trade-in device, including the IMEI number.

It does prompt you to enter an IMEI but you can Skip that step and continue. If you chose to order from Apple for home delivery, they will send you a trade-in kit to return your old phone. In this case I would suggest you enter the IMEI on the order if possible it will provide a little more protection when the third-party handles the return of your iPhone 12 Pro Max.

I missed the opportunity on apple.com, so I went to att.com to place the same order. AT&T’s site also asked for IMEI information, specifying which iPhone I’d be trading in. This level of detail wasn’t required in my previous orders. AT&T also stated that they would send a trade-in kit along with the new iPhone 16PM.

Same story as above just hit the Skip button below where it asks for the IMEI. If you order from AT&T the cardboard box your new iPhone arrives has a pre-printed UPS label, a strip of tape, and a cardboard sleeve to place you trade-in into. You reuse the same box your new iPhone 16 Pro Max arrived in.

My questions are:

1. Am I required to turn in the specific iPhone I pledged when placing my order, or can I submit a different eligible iPhone, such as my iPhone 12PM, which qualifies for a $1,000 credit this year (a better deal than last year’s)?

Sort of if you enter the IMEI. It auto populates the trade-in steps to try to automate the return. Have you actually ordered a new iPhone?

2. Can I still process my trade-in in person at a local AT&T store, as I’ve done in the past? I prefer in-person processing to get a receipt, as mailing the trade-in kit often takes longer and carries some risks.​

For an AT&T ordered device the latest story is that a Corporate retail store should accept your trade-in. You need to lookup your near by AT&T locations and Filter for Company stores only since there are also local affiliate stores aka (third party) stores and they don't want to be bothered.

Dave

 

[dave006]

But when filling out the order form on the Apple website, I'm confused about how the AT&T financing part works. How do they know that I want to trade in a device for the promotional credit? What will Apple charge me? I get that an Apple Store employee can help me navigate this in person, but will it work if I order delivery?

It just works. You step through the order process and enter your trade-in and then you will see a buy option and a Finance option. Pick finance a new section will appear and you can pick the Carrier tab when you pick AT&T you will see your Carrier options. Your AT&T Installment agreement will show up to $1000 trade-in value for your trade-in iPhone.

For example an iPhone 16 Pro is (Example Only) something like $30.56 per month but after your trade-in for $1000 is processed you get at credit for $27.78 every month for 36 months and you will pay $2.75 plus your normal taxes & fees for your cellular service.

Apple will only charge you the Tax on the full retail price of your new iPhone. Your initial 36 month agreement will be with Apple and they will transfer it to AT&T.

If you choose the local delivery - same day purchase. You pay the Currier fee of $9 and Apple will send you a trade-in kit in the mail to return your trade-in to their selected third-party.

Note: you will need a qualifying AT&T Post paid account for the $1000 trade-in offer.

ETA: still working on spelling...

Dave

 

[joefrank64k]

For those activating a FirstNet line: I got to a screen that said I needed use another phone to call AT&T (800 number was on screen) to activate the line. I used my AWU2 to call.

While I was on hold, I looked at the paperwork in the box.

Wouldn’t you know it: There was a paper that said if I needed support with FirstNet activation I should go to: http://firstnet.com/activatedevice

Went there and done. Line activated no problem and the 16PM is up and running!!

tl;dr - RTFM haha!!

 

[nostresshere]

Did not give any imei information on 4 lines. Just skipped that part. Probably good because when 2 of the 4 would not process for some reason. They are paid off and unlocked.

 

[powerslave65]

Arrived yesterday at 2:30 pm PST while I was traveling. Setting up now. 👍

 

[nostresshere]

My return label looks rather funky. Anyone know how to get a replacement label?

 

[joefrank64k]

My return label looks rather funky. Anyone know how to get a replacement label?

Mine too, like it was made with a janky dot-matrix thermal printer, haha!!

 

[dave006]

My return label looks rather funky. Anyone know how to get a replacement label?

Yes use this link: https://tradein.att.com/contact-us and you will get a complete new trade-in kit.

Dave

 

[doccho]

It does prompt you to enter an IMEI but you can Skip that step and continue. If you chose to order from Apple for home delivery, they will send you a trade-in kit to return your old phone. In this case I would suggest you enter the IMEI on the order if possible it will provide a little more protection when the third-party handles the return of your iPhone 12 Pro Max.


Same story as above just hit the Skip button below where it asks for the IMEI. If you order from AT&T the cardboard box your new iPhone arrives has a pre-printed UPS label, a strip of tape, and a cardboard sleeve to place you trade-in into. You reuse the same box your new iPhone 16 Pro Max arrived in.


Sort of if you enter the IMEI. It auto populates the trade-in steps to try to automate the return. Have you actually ordered a new iPhone?


For an AT&T ordered device the latest story is that a Corporate retail store should accept your trade-in. You need to lookup your near by AT&T locations and Filter for Company stores only since there are also local affiliate stores aka (third party) stores and they don't want to be bothered.

Dave

Thanks, Dave, for your comments.

I actually received my iPhone 16 Pro Max yesterday. It took a bit longer to download all my apps from the App Store, but now everything is set up as a carbon copy of my 15PM. I’ve just erased my 15PM to give to my family member.

When placing the order, I entered the IMEI for my 14PM. While I noticed the “skip” option, I didn’t want to risk any issues later in the trade-in process. Each year, I check Apple’s trade-in values and the lowest eligible phone AT&T will credit $1,000 for, as I’ve always gone with the Pro Max since the 12PM. So, I aim to maximize my credit, whether from Apple or AT&T. I didn’t mention my 14PM in my previous post, but I did buy it directly from Apple in 2022, trading in my 13PM.

Now that I see AT&T is offering $1,000 credit for the iPhone 12PM (which is a significant difference from the 14PM’s trade-in value), I’m wondering if I should turn in the 14PM I entered during the order or trade in a 12PM instead to save around $200 or more. There’s about a $300 price difference between the two on eBay, and Apple’s trade-in values reflect something similar.

I’ll be stopping by my local AT&T store, which I’ve been working with since 2008. They’ve never turned down my trade-in and have always been helpful, so I’ll see how it goes.

 

[dave006]

I’ll be stopping by my local AT&T store, which I’ve been working with since 2008. They’ve never turned down my trade-in and have always been helpful, so I’ll see how it goes.

Thanks for the update. Please stop back and let us know how your field trip went to the AT&T store.

Dave

 

[doccho]

Now that I see AT&T is offering $1,000 credit for the iPhone 12PM (which is a significant difference from the 14PM’s trade-in value), I’m wondering if I should turn in the 14PM I entered during the order or trade in a 12PM instead to save around $200 or more. There’s about a $300 price difference between the two on eBay, and Apple’s trade-in values reflect something similar.

I dug up some information and found this:

Last year, AT&T offered a $1,000 bill credit over 36 months for the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max with eligible trade-ins, which included the following Apple models:

• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 13 Pro Max

So, the "lowest" eligible phone for the $1,000 credit at that time was either the iPhone 14 or iPhone 13 Pro Max. Following the same policy, I expected it to be the iPhone 14PM for this year’s $1,000 credit. However, AT&T is now offering $1,000 for/from the iPhone 12(PM), which is a big shift from previous years. I was ready to trade in my 14PM for the 16PM, but with the 12PM eligible for the same credit, it’s making me reconsider—this could save me quite a bit of money. (edit: it is from 12, not 12PM!).

I’m guessing AT&T (and possibly Apple) is requiring IMEI input to ensure customers commit to trading in their existing phones, rather than exploring cheaper options on eBay.