Preorder & Release Dates for the iPhone 7 & 7 Plus

Apple just unveiled the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus at their September event, which means we're inching closer to traffic jams, parking lot fights, and day-long lines at Apple Stores, as well as those inevitable, dreaded words: "sold out."

While the new iPhones aren't exactly groundbreaking, or even better than the newer Samsung Galaxy phones, there's still going to be plenty of diehard Apple fans waiting out in line the night before to be the first to get their hands on the iPhone 7.

Personally, I'm still debating on whether or not to upgrade from my iPhone 6 Plus, but if I do, I'm definitely not going to sleep with the cockroaches—I'd just preorder it. Worst-case scenario is you get your iPhone 7 a day or two later than the diehards, unless. of course, you don't preorder in time. The first round of iPhone preorders typically sell out in about a week, so you don't have much time to think about it.

Release Date: Sept 16, 2016

If you want to wait around in long lines, you can do so in Apple Stores and anywhere else they're selling the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus on September 16, 2016. Here are some of the big players in the US that will be selling them:

Aside from the United States, there are 27 other countries that will be getting the iPhone 7 on this date, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, and the UK.

Preorder Date: Sept 9, 2016 at 12:01 AM

The smarter choice is preordering the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus and having it shipped right to you. No lines. No stress. Just an empty pocketbook like everyone else.

Other Dates

Other countries can get their hands on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, too. One week after the iPhone 7 models ship to the first users on September 16, the following 30 countries will be able to snag an iPhone 7, too:

Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Monaco, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

How Much Is This Going to Cost You?

There are many variables at play when determining your out-of-pocket cost, but here's the base prices for the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models:

iPhone 7: 32 GB ($649); 128 GB ($749); 256 GB ($849)
iPhone 7 Plus: 32 GB ($769); 128 GB ($869); 256 GB ($969)

If you can't afford the full retail price, you can join Apple's Upgrade Program, which gives you an unlocked iPhone to use with any carrier and includes AppleCare+. You can pay it off monthly over the course of 2 years, with plans starting from $32.41, or you can choose to keep it going and upgrade to the latest iPhone model every year. They also have a Trade-Up Program for your old device, though, you'll get more money for it on eBay.

Preorder & Release Dates for the iPhone 7 & 7 Plus — *Image via Apple*

Your carrier will also have similar monthly payment plans available with 2-year agreements, since they have all abandoned the seemingly lower, subsidized cost options that started fading away a few years ago. However, unlike Apple's free AppleCare+ coverage, you will probably have to pay an additional insurance cost under carrier payment plans, or buy AppleCare+ from Apple.

AT&T: The Next plan gives you 30 monthly installments, and lets you upgrade to a newer iPhone after 80% is paid off, while their Next Every Year plan is 24 monthly payments, with an upgrade to a new device after 50% is paid off.
Sprint: The iPhone Forever plan lets you lease the iPhone 7 over 12 monthly payments, then trade it in for the newest iPhone model whenever it's available. The full term of the plan is 18 months if you don't upgrade after 12 months, and you can either pay the difference to own the device, or keep going with Sprint monthly installments until paid off.
T-Mobile: Jump! On Demand gives you decent monthly costs over an 18 month span. After those 18 month are over, you can either pay the remaining balance on the iPhone, or trade it in and "jump" to another smartphone. You can also swap it for another phone anytime during those 18 months, up to 3 times per year, with no additional costs.
US Cellular: With their Early Upgrade Program, you can pay for your iPhone 7 over either 20, 24, or 30 months. You can trade in your device after 60, 75, or 80% has been paid off, respectively, and start a new plan with a new device.
Verizon Wireless: They require you to pay off at least 50% of your iPhone cost before upgrading to a newer iPhone each year.

Some of you on older plans with subsidized phones can possibly still upgrade to the iPhone 7, though it's unlikely you'll be able to preorder it via your carrier's website. To recoup some of their losses, you'll likely be paying at least $20 more each month, so make sure to read all the fine print and contact your carrier's customer service to make sure you know all the details. Who knows, ditching your old grandfathered plan for a new one may help you out after all.