Other UK iPhone 16/16 Plus/16 Pro/16 Pro Max Pre-release, Orders and Dispatch Thread

[SmugMaverick]

Just received my iPhone 16 Pro Max and I’m sad to say I’m not really enjoying it. The brushed titanium looked better on the iPhone 15 Pro Max in my opinion and hid the fingerprints a lot better. Also the increased size and the more rounded corners doesn’t make sense as it’s now heavier and harder to hold.

I loved my iPhone 15 Pro Max until I dropped it and scratched the screen and frame, I still have it but I’m debating on whether to sending back the 16 and paying to repair the screen and frame, or sell this and live with a ‘worse’ phone for a year until the iPhone 17 series, hmm…

Same but normal pro, I am really trying to like it and find something to convince myself to keep it over my 15 pro but nothing feels better in anyway.

Display, photos, speed, etc all feel identical.

I rag on them but that's because the standard is so high, this 16 series just isn't good enough IMO and the camera button will be gone in 2 years, it's an awful gimmick.

 

[Macsidia]

30 minute warning! Not sure what's going to happen with EE since I might be sending the phone back.

 

[Tinkerbellaa22]

Are there any issues with the sim tray?

I took my EE sim out and it doesn't seem to fit in the phone.

 

[mikey2004]

Picked up a 16 Pro (Black) from the Apple Store Belfast Northern Ireland. The queuing system outside had just 2 people plus me. One person wanted to buy as a walk in but was told to reserve a time and pay online. He walked away in disgust.

I was then served and “allowed” to proceed inside the store. It was EMPTY apart from the 8 apple employees looking somewhat bored. When I say empty I am not spinning a line or exaggerating, it was empty. Went upstairs; two customers and then “the line” at the bar to collect the iPhone. That was empty too so I sauntered up and collected my iPhone.

2 minutes later I was out. This was at 9.15am. When I left you’ve guessed it - the line outside was empty. And the store employees (and the four security guards inside the ground floor) continued to just wander around looking bored.

This Apple policy of reserving and paying and lining up and receiving permission to enter the hallowed halls of the golden Apple Store is putting people off big time. It’s embarrassing.

The iPhone itself? Lovely thanks🤣

We used to go at 4/5am every launch to get the new iPhone at Belfast Apple Store. There was always a pre order queue and standby queue. Both always had fairly long lines. In recent years it’s all been pre orders and arrive at this selected time. While this is obviously more efficient, it did take the fun and banter out of it.

 

[Kerry78]

Trying on the ultramarine case on the black iPhone 16 Pro.

I'm probably returning it, I don't really see that button adding anything to my life to justify upgrading from the 15PM.

If you're in London and want to grab a phone and a case at RRP and can come to SW you can have it.

View attachment 2422966

It’s not worth me upgrading from my 14 Pro either 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

 

[iMatt.]

Merry Christmas!

 

[Qountdown]

Are there any issues with the sim tray?

I took my EE sim out and it doesn't seem to fit in the phone.

No, it's fine. You must be trying to put it in wrong, easily done.

 

[Macsidia]

It’s not worth me upgrading from my 14 Pro either 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Thinking the same thing myself, theres only a few QoL updates I can live without, Lightning cable being the most notible but I do have a Belkin magsafe charging disk.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

14 hours later...

 

[Kerry78]

Not getting a sensible case til my birthday next Friday so allow me to present… brat phone.

Have a look on AliExpress there doing some Apple dupes I had 2 so far and don’t scratch my phone x

 

[Brenster]

Picked up a 16 Pro (Black) from the Apple Store Belfast Northern Ireland. The queuing system outside had just 2 people plus me. One person wanted to buy as a walk in but was told to reserve a time and pay online. He walked away in disgust.

I was then served and “allowed” to proceed inside the store. It was EMPTY apart from the 8 apple employees looking somewhat bored. When I say empty I am not spinning a line or exaggerating, it was empty. Went upstairs; two customers and then “the line” at the bar to collect the iPhone. That was empty too so I sauntered up and collected my iPhone.

2 minutes later I was out. This was at 9.15am. When I left you’ve guessed it - the line outside was empty. And the store employees (and the four security guards inside the ground floor) continued to just wander around looking bored.

This Apple policy of reserving and paying and lining up and receiving permission to enter the hallowed halls of the golden Apple Store is putting people off big time. It’s embarrassing.

The iPhone itself? Lovely thanks🤣

Surprising how different the arrangements and vibe seems to be between Apple Stores. The Belfast store sounds to be less than fun. Manchester Trafford Centre was busy but not rammed, with a friendly relaxed vibe from both the staff controlling the line/in-store and other people in line. Had a pleasant chat with the guy behind me who was going from a 13PM to a 16PM, comparing out upgrade options and choices.

I collected from the Apple Store in Liverpool at about 12:15 and it was rammed!! Huge queue to collect and a huge queue to buy, it even carried on outside!

Busiest I’ve seen it in a long time.

How was queuing on the public walkway being handled in Liverpool One? Not masses of space outside the store there.

 

[Kerry78]

Thinking the same thing myself, theres only a few QoL updates I can live without, Lightning cable being the most notible but I do have a Belkin magsafe charging disk.

It’s got the same camera as my 14 Pro I can live without a fancy AI spellchecker too 😂

Defo getting the 17 Pro next year new design slimmer etc

 

[Mrrikki]

Picking up at Apple Cribbs now and I am shocked to see 40 people in the queue after being all saying how quiet it is.

 

[RRC]

It’s got the same camera as my 14 Pro I can live without a fancy AI spellchecker too 😂

Defo getting the 17 Pro next year new design slimmer etc

The slimmer device won't be a Pro model, will likely be the base model (and with much worse battery life and only one camera). Camera is improved over 14 Pro, second generation sensor with faster readout = more stacked images in the same time but if you feel it's not for you, that's cool 🙂

 

[MrGimper]

Collected my 16 Pro Max 256 White at 12:30 in Basingstoke. Turned up at 12:25 and 4 people in the queue. Got spoken to immediately, invited into the store and did my Apple Upgrade. Bought 2x cases, browsed the new watch, and out the door at 13:05. Super service.

 

[MrGimper]

Are there any issues with the sim tray?

I took my EE sim out and it doesn't seem to fit in the phone.

My EE sim fit perfectly in the 16 Pro Max

 

[Webcat86]

Collected my 16 Pro Max 256 White at 12:30 in Basingstoke. Turned up at 12:25 and 4 people in the queue. Got spoken to immediately, invited into the store and did my Apple Upgrade. Bought 2x cases, browsed the new watch, and out the door at 13:05. Super service.

what did you think of the watch?

 

[OMGwtfBBQwings]

iPhone wont be arriving for a while but i got my ultra 2!!!!!!!!

i topped it up from 88 to 100% and it was so quick compared to my old S4 - wish i had upgraded earlier ffs


also - i dont want my black ocean band - any ideas how many i can flog it for on gumtree?

 

[S Khan]

I received my 512 desert storm iPhone earlier. Upgrading from the 15 Pro Max has left me wondering why I've spent all this money— hardly any difference. The new shutter button is very awkward to use.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

God these data transfers are so slow...

 

[BAZ1307]

Same but normal pro, I am really trying to like it and find something to convince myself to keep it over my 15 pro but nothing feels better in anyway.

Display, photos, speed, etc all feel identical.

I rag on them but that's because the standard is so high, this 16 series just isn't good enough IMO and the camera button will be gone in 2 years, it's an awful gimmick.

Yeah that Camera Control is no good, doesn’t feel very Apple-like as it’s harder to press than I thought and not in a good spot for portrait or horizontal. I’m also finding the screen’s brightness and contrast to be worse than last year’s 15 Pro Max.

I may look in the Apple Store and see if it’s worth dropping down a size this year to the regular pro as this is just too big even though I have big hands.

Here’s the comparison between my iPhone 15 Pro Max and my iPhone 16 Pro Max.

 

[Macsidia]

Just got it!

 

[Webcat86]

I received my 512 desert storm iPhone earlier. Upgrading from the 15 Pro Max has left me wondering why I've spent all this money— hardly any difference. The new shutter button is very awkward to use.

why is this a surprise when it's literally what most people with 15s have been saying ever since the 16 line was announced?
Incremental updates these days. Even the Apple Store guy who served me today said there's no point upgrading every year.

 

[Webcat86]

Yeah that Camera Control is no good, doesn’t feel very Apple-like as it’s harder to press than I thought and not in a good spot for portrait or horizontal. I’m also finding the screen’s brightness and contrast to be worse than last year’s 15 Pro Max.

I may look in the Apple Store and see if it’s worth dropping down a size this year to the regular pro as this is just too big even though I have big hands.

Here’s the comparison between my iPhone 15 Pro Max and my iPhone 16 Pro Max.

haven't unboxed it yet but glad I went from 14PM to the 16 Pro, that is too much heft

 

[Kerry78]

The slimmer device won't be a Pro model, will likely be the base model (and with much worse battery life and only one camera). Camera is improved over 14 Pro, second generation sensor with faster readout = more stacked images in the same time but if you feel it's not for you, that's cool 🙂

Knowbody really knows what Apple have up there socks for next year so just have to wait it’s just rumours at this point but you’d think the new phones would be different next year since it’s been the same design since 2020

I’m happy with my 14 Pro it’s a much nicer colour (Purple) and I don’t think just them tweaks alone aren’t a good incentive for me to upgrade to it a lot of others feel the same lol

Enjoy though if you got one if not see you next Sept 😂