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The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max were discontinued immediately after Apple launched the iPhone 17 family on September 9, 2025. The iPhone 16e was discontinued later after the iPhone 17e arrived in March 2026. Apple still sells the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus in the United States as of August 18, 2026.
The important distinction is timing: Apple did not discontinue the entire iPhone 16 family in September 2025. Apple removed the previous-generation Pro models first, kept the standard iPhone 16 models available, and later replaced the iPhone 16e with the iPhone 17e.
Key takeaways
- Apple discontinued the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max immediately after announcing the iPhone 17 family on September 9, 2025.
- The iPhone 16e remained available after the September 2025 launch and was subsequently replaced by the iPhone 17e, which became available on March 11, 2026.
- Apple still lists the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus in its United States store as of August 18, 2026.
- The iPhone 17e starts at $599 in the United States with 256GB of storage, according to Apple’s March 2026 announcement.
- “Discontinued” means Apple no longer sells a model new through its own US retail store; it does not automatically mean that the iPhone has stopped receiving updates or has become obsolete.
Which iPhones were discontinued immediately after the iPhone 17 launch?
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max were the two iPhones removed from Apple’s direct US retail lineup immediately after the iPhone 17 launch. Apple announced the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max on September 9, 2025, with retail availability beginning September 19, 2025, according to Apple’s iPhone 17 announcement and Apple’s availability announcement.
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|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | September 9, 2025, after the iPhone 17 announcement | iPhone 17 Pro |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | September 9, 2025, after the iPhone 17 announcement | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
Apple commonly removes the previous-generation Pro models when new Pro models launch. Contemporary launch coverage also identified the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max as the models affected, while the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus remained available; see Tom’s Guide’s coverage of the iPhone 17 launch.
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What happened to the iPhone 16 Pro?
Apple stopped listing the iPhone 16 Pro for new direct purchase in the United States when Apple introduced the iPhone 17 Pro. That change made the iPhone 17 Pro the current model in Apple’s Pro tier; it did not mean that every iPhone 16 model disappeared.
Remaining iPhone 16 Pro units may still appear through carriers, authorized resellers, third-party retailers, or refurbished sellers. New, unopened inventory is likely to become less predictable after Apple removes a model from its own store, so buyers should verify the seller, return period, warranty, storage, carrier-lock status, and regional cellular compatibility.
What happened to the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Apple removed the iPhone 16 Pro Max at the same September 2025 transition as the iPhone 16 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro Max replaced the iPhone 16 Pro Max in Apple’s current Pro Max position.
A discounted iPhone 16 Pro Max can still be worth considering if the price difference is large enough and the device has acceptable battery health, warranty coverage, and return protection. A used or refurbished device should also be checked for Activation Lock, carrier restrictions, physical damage, genuine parts, and compatibility with the buyer’s local SIM or eSIM requirements.
Was the iPhone 16e discontinued at the iPhone 17 launch?
No. The iPhone 16e was not an immediate September 2025 discontinuation. Apple kept the iPhone 16e in its lower-cost lineup after the iPhone 17 family launched, then replaced it with the iPhone 17e during a later refresh.
Apple introduced the iPhone 17e on March 2, 2026, and made it available on March 11, 2026, according to Apple’s iPhone 17e announcement and Apple’s availability announcement. Apple’s current US store no longer lists the iPhone 16e, so the iPhone 16e should be described as subsequently discontinued during the iPhone 17 generation, not as a model removed at the original iPhone 17 event.
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| Model | Position in the timeline | Replacement or current successor |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e | Stayed available after September 2025; later removed after the March 2026 refresh | iPhone 17e |
| iPhone 17e | Introduced March 2, 2026; available March 11, 2026 | Current entry-level iPhone in Apple’s US lineup |
The iPhone 17e starts at $599 in the United States with 256GB of storage. Apple described the 256GB starting capacity as double the previous generation’s starting storage at the same price in its iPhone 17e announcement. A remaining iPhone 16e could still be a reasonable purchase if it is substantially cheaper, comes from a reputable seller, has healthy battery capacity, and includes clear warranty and return terms.
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Is the iPhone 16 discontinued?
No. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are still sold by Apple in the United States as of August 18, 2026. The iPhone 17 replaced the iPhone 16 as Apple’s newest standard flagship, but Apple continued selling the previous-generation standard models as lower-priced alternatives. Apple’s current US lineup can be checked on the Apple Buy iPhone page.
The continued availability of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus is why it is inaccurate to describe the September 2025 event as the discontinuation of the entire iPhone 16 series. The iPhone 16 Pro models left the lineup immediately; the standard iPhone 16 models did not.
Which iPhones does Apple still sell in the United States?
As checked on August 18, 2026, Apple’s US online store lists the following models:
- iPhone 17e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 17
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
| Model or family | Apple US starting price checked August 18, 2026 | Availability status |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17e | From $599 | Current |
| iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus | Family from $699 | Current |
| iPhone 17 | From $799 | Current |
| iPhone Air | From $999 | Current |
| iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max | Family from $1,099 | Current |
These are Apple US starting prices observed in August 2026. Prices can exclude taxes and may vary with financing, carrier requirements, promotions, or trade-in credits. The US lineup, pricing, storage options, SIM configuration, and model numbers may differ in other countries.
What does “discontinued” mean for an iPhone?
For this article, Apple-discontinued means Apple no longer sells the model new through its own US retail store. The term describes Apple’s sales lineup; it does not prove that Apple stopped manufacturing the model on the same date or that the phone is unavailable everywhere.
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A discontinued iPhone may still be available through:
- Remaining carrier inventory.
- Authorized Apple resellers.
- Third-party retailers with unsold stock.
- Apple Certified Refurbished inventory, when Apple has stock.
- Used and refurbished-device marketplaces.
Third-party availability can vary by storage capacity, color, condition, battery health, warranty, seller return policy, and regional cellular compatibility. A retailer page showing a phone for sale does not establish that Apple still officially sells that model.
Does discontinued mean an iPhone no longer receives iOS updates?
No. Apple removing an iPhone from its sales lineup does not automatically end iOS or security-update support. Apple decides future software compatibility separately from product sales. A discontinued iPhone may continue receiving updates, but no fixed number of future update years should be promised without checking Apple’s current compatibility information.
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Can a discontinued iPhone still be repaired?
Repair eligibility depends on the model’s service status, available parts, region, warranty, AppleCare+ coverage, and the specific repair—not simply on whether Apple still sells the phone.
Before buying a discontinued iPhone, check whether the phone still has a valid limited warranty or AppleCare+ coverage, whether the seller provides a return window, and whether the intended repair provider can service the particular model. A phone being absent from Apple’s store does not by itself establish that repair service has ended.
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Should you buy a discontinued iPhone?
A discontinued iPhone can be a good value when the discount is substantial and the device’s condition and support terms are clear. A current model is usually the simpler choice when the price difference is small, because current stock provides more predictable availability and a clearer path to new-device warranty and service.
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Use this checklist before buying
- Compare the total price. Compare the complete purchase cost with the current replacement, not just a monthly payment or headline discount.
- Check battery health. For used or refurbished phones, ask for the battery-health reading or a seller guarantee. Battery replacement can reduce the apparent savings.
- Confirm warranty and returns. Verify whether the device is new, open-box, used, or refurbished, then check the warranty length and return period.
- Check Activation Lock. A used iPhone must be removed from the previous owner’s Apple Account before the buyer accepts it.
- Check carrier status. Confirm that the phone is unlocked if the buyer intends to use a different carrier.
- Verify regional compatibility. Cellular bands, model numbers, physical SIM trays, and eSIM requirements can vary by region.
- Choose storage carefully. Remaining third-party inventory may not include every storage configuration or color.
- Assess parts and protection. Ask whether the device has genuine replacement parts and whether AppleCare+ eligibility applies to that purchase.
Apple’s Trade In program may be a better route for owners of older iPhones who want to reduce the cost of a current model. Apple’s trade-in value depends on the phone’s model and condition and must be confirmed through Apple’s current quote process.
Buyers looking specifically for an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max can also monitor Apple Certified Refurbished inventory. Apple’s refurbished inventory changes, so the page should not be treated as proof that a particular discontinued model is currently in stock.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the iPhone discontinuation timeline?
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 9, 2025 | Apple announces the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. |
| September 19, 2025 | The new iPhone 17 family becomes available for purchase. |
| September 2025 | The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max leave Apple’s direct-sales lineup. |
| March 2, 2026 | Apple announces the iPhone 17e. |
| March 11, 2026 | The iPhone 17e becomes available, and the iPhone 16e is no longer part of Apple’s current US lineup. |
| August 18, 2026 | Apple’s current US Buy iPhone page is checked and lists the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. |
The timeline prevents two common mistakes: treating the iPhone 16e as an immediate September 2025 discontinuation and treating every older iPhone absent from Apple’s current store as a model removed by the iPhone 17 launch.
What about the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus?
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus should not be listed as models discontinued by the September 2025 iPhone 17 launch without a broader historical qualification. Those models were already absent from Apple’s post-iPhone-16e/current direct-sales lineup before the iPhone 17 generation, so they belong to an earlier sales transition rather than the immediate September 2025 list.
Does Apple’s US list apply worldwide?
No. The availability answer in this article is specifically for Apple’s United States online store. Apple’s country or region can have different models, prices, storage choices, model numbers, SIM configurations, and inventory. Buyers outside the US should use their local Apple Store page and confirm cellular compatibility before importing a discontinued iPhone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 16 discontinued?
No. Apple’s US online store still lists the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus as of August 18, 2026. Apple discontinued the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max immediately after the September 2025 iPhone 17 launch, but it continued selling the standard iPhone 16 models.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max still made or sold by Apple?
Apple no longer lists the iPhone 16 Pro Max for new direct purchase in the United States after the iPhone 17 Pro Max replaced it in September 2025. Remaining new, used, or refurbished stock may still be available from other sellers, but availability and condition vary.
Is the iPhone 16e still available?
The iPhone 16e remained in Apple’s lineup after the September 2025 iPhone 17 launch but was later replaced by the iPhone 17e. Apple introduced the iPhone 17e on March 2, 2026, made it available on March 11, 2026, and no longer lists the iPhone 16e in its current US store.
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You generally cannot buy a discontinued iPhone new through Apple’s regular US Buy iPhone lineup, although Apple Certified Refurbished inventory may sometimes include older models. Carrier, reseller, used, and refurbished inventory can also remain available.
Does discontinued mean an iPhone will stop receiving iOS updates?
No. Apple removing a model from its sales lineup does not automatically end iOS or security-update support. Future compatibility depends on Apple’s later software decisions, and discontinuation does not by itself mean that the phone is unsupported or obsolete.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max were the only models discontinued immediately after the September 2025 iPhone 17 launch. Apple discontinued the iPhone 16e later, after introducing the iPhone 17e in March 2026. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus remained officially available in the United States as of August 18, 2026.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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