iPhone 13 delays — here’s the wait time for each model
iPhone 13 delivery dates are taking a while to ship, especially for the Pro models
The iPhone 13 order floodgates are open. The new iPhones have been on sale since late September, and eager iOS users are flocking to the Apple store and other retailers to get their hands on Apple's flagships.
The newest iPhone takes full advantage of Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset, has a bigger battery to keep it powered up for longer, and a better camera array with a compelling cinematic video mode. All of this has naturally led to significant demand for the device, and there are lots of great iPhone 13 deals to be found.
The iPhone 13 launched on September 24, and since then the wait times for the latest Apple handset have greatly fluctuated, especially on the Pro models. For example, right now the iPhone 13 Pro is showing a delivery estimate that runs perilously close to the holiday season. If you want a new smartphone for gifting, you'll need to get it ordered right now and select express shipping to boot.
Bloomberg is reporting that Apple has been forced to cut its production order of the iPhone 13 by 11% due to the ongoing global chip shortage. That means there will be fewer devices on the market than Apple had originally intended this holiday season. A subsequent report claims that demand for the iPhone 13 may be weakening, too, but we're not sure how much stock to put into that idea.
At any rate, the word from the supply chain is that iPhone 13 supply is unlikely to meet demand until February 2022. This means that delivery times are prone to delays. That's already the case with the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max models, which are facing serious shortages as mentioned.
Therefore, if you want an iPhone 13 before 2022, we suggest getting your order in as soon as possible. Below are the current wait times for each model of iPhone 13.
Wait times for Phone 13 models (Updated Dec. 8)
Before jumping into the wait time for each model in the iPhone 13 lineup, it’s important to stress that your mileage may vary. Wait time is determined by a variety of factors including your location and your chosen configuration, so we can’t guarantee that your wait time won’t be longer than the ones listed below. (For example, while we can't pick up an iPhone 13 Pro at a store near us in New York, our west coast colleagues report that the phone is readily available at Apple Stores in the San Francisco Bay Area.)
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Model | Date range | In-store pickup |
iPhone 13 mini | December 22 | Yes |
iPhone 13 | December 22 | Yes |
iPhone 13 Pro | December 22-24 | No |
iPhone 13 Pro Max | December 22-24 | No |
The standard iPhone 13 128GB is not currently facing any form of significant shipping delays. Delivery estimates have it arriving as soon tomorrow if you place your order today; in the New York area, it's currently available for pickup from a physical Apple Store. If you want your new smartphone even earlier, for $9 you can get express shipping which could see your new handset arrive the very same day you order.
The iPhone 13 mini is also enjoying a resurgence in availability. While it did at one point have delivery delays that stretched for more than two weeks, it's now available within a couple of days. This abundance of availability is also being observed in stores as the iPhone 13 mini can currently be picked up from physical Apple retailers in the New York area.
It's the iPhone 13 Pro model where delivery delays are still being felt. The standard iPhone 13 Pro 128GB isn’t available for delivery until December 22 at the earliest, and that could stretch to as late as December 24 which will be cutting it extremely close if required for the holidays. The situation is similar for the iPhone 13 Pro Max model, which is also facing delivery delays that could run beyond the festive season.
If you want to secure an iPhone 13 for yourself or as a holiday gift for someone else then you'll need to get your order in now before the delivery dates start to slip beyond the festive period and even past New Year. If you’re looking for a bargain, we’ve got a roundup of the best iPhone 13 deals to help you save big on the latest Apple smartphone.
Rory is an Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team.
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Technerd71 I order an iPhone 13 pro max 128 October 1st and it was supposed to be delivered today the 15th. Well Best Buy didn’t even update the order status and I had to initiate a chat to find out it is delayed but they couldn’t tell me how long that delay is just that I would get an email with an adjusted delivery date. I was all excited to get it and nothing.Reply
I got a pretty good deal on trade of my old iPhone 11 Pro Max which I got at a discount on eBay so I almost made out even in trade value. Only had to pay a couple hundred to get the newer version so in terms of cost it is hard for me to complain but Best Buy customer service is terrible. I should have known that the Best Buy delivery date was a bait and switch as when I went on the Apple store to do the same trade it was November delivery date. I jumped on the Best Buy order because they said delivery would be 10/15.
So my experience would verify your reporting on serious delays. If you want an iPhone buy it now if you want it before Christmas!! -
Jerseyjersey I ordered a 13 Pro from T-Mobile and a 13 pro max from Apple last week on the same day. Both had an estimated delivery date around November 8th.Reply
The iPhone pro from T-Mobile shipped yesterday and is arriving today! I’m shocked. The 13 pro max from Apple still says 11/8 :( -
Vexybarablu
I ordered mine also on 1.october here in Austria, the shipping date back then was october 14th, it was delayed to the November 4th, and yesterday was delayed again up to January 13th. God knows when we will get it, or will we get it at all. It sucks really.Technerd71 said:I order an iPhone 13 pro max 128 October 1st and it was supposed to be delivered today the 15th. Well Best Buy didn’t even update the order status and I had to initiate a chat to find out it is delayed but they couldn’t tell me how long that delay is just that I would get an email with an adjusted delivery date. I was all excited to get it and nothing.
I got a pretty good deal on trade of my old iPhone 11 Pro Max which I got at a discount on eBay so I almost made out even in trade value. Only had to pay a couple hundred to get the newer version so in terms of cost it is hard for me to complain but Best Buy customer service is terrible. I should have known that the Best Buy delivery date was a bait and switch as when I went on the Apple store to do the same trade it was November delivery date. I jumped on the Best Buy order because they said delivery would be 10/15.
So my experience would verify your reporting on serious delays. If you want an iPhone buy it now if you want it before Christmas!!