For the first time, South Africans will be able to purchase the latest iPhone from local retailers on the same day as customers in the US and other major Apple markets. Retailers like Takealot, Digicape, Game, iStore, and Makro will offer the iPhone 16 series from 20 September 2024, with pre-orders starting on 13 September.
Read: Apple iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max: Everything you need to know
Due to the time difference, South Africans will even be able to get their hands on Apple’s latest smartphones a few hours earlier than Americans. This marks a significant shift from previous years, where South Africa typically received new iPhones at least a week after their US launch.
For example, the iPhones launched in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023 were only available in South Africa one week after the US release. The most significant delay occurred in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in global supply chains. That year, South Africans had to wait until just before Christmas to get the iPhone 12, almost two months after its US debut.
In 2021, chip shortages affected tech availability worldwide, resulting in the iPhone 13 reaching South Africa two weeks after the US. Before 2018, delays were even longer, with South Africa receiving new iPhones anywhere from three weeks to three months after the initial US release. The first iPhone to be available in South Africa, the 2008 iPhone 3GS, arrived over two months after its US launch.
The reasons for this alignment in release dates remain unclear. While major retailers did not provide specific details, iStore expressed excitement about offering South Africans the iPhone 16 earlier than usual. Potential reasons could include Apple’s improved global supply chain or a strategic focus on growing markets like South Africa. The iPhone 16 is launching simultaneously in over 58 countries, a notable increase from the 45 countries that received the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 on launch day.
South African pricing has yet to be confirmed, but with a stronger rand, local Apple fans might see a price reduction from the iPhone 15, which started at R21,999. However, this is not guaranteed due to potential currency-forwarding contracts.
