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iPhone XS Max Anyone here ever had luck getting an iPhone on launch day at the Apple store?

felixroqu3

felixroqu3

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 5, 2012
649
685
New York, NY
I’m thinking of getting the new iPhone, but I have a 6:15pm flight to Japan on the September 20th *based on everything I’ve read, it seems like that’s when it’ll release* So I’m wondering if it’s better to pre-order and risk UPS delivering after I leave for the airport, or should I try my luck at the Apple Store, which is 5 short blocks away from my apartment.
 
felixroqu3 said:
I’m thinking of getting the new iPhone, but I have a 6:15pm flight to Japan on the September 20th *based on everything I’ve read, it seems like that’s when it’ll release* So I’m wondering if it’s better to pre-order and risk UPS delivering after I leave for the airport, or should I try my luck at the Apple Store, which is 5 short blocks away from my apartment.
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Yes. Obviously depends if they have the appropriate stock for the Model/color you want. Apple really has improved a lot on their supply for stores, and I don’t think ‘walk-ins’ are as popular as they used to be, now that ordering the line is very much efficient, you shouldn’t probably have a problem, but it also depends on how popular the store location you’re attending as well.
 
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Preorder as soon as possible and reserve for in store pickup at Apple. You get a reservation window, so you’ll know exactly when you will be getting the phone.

I’ve done this for the past few launches and generally get in before 10 am. It’s much less chaotic than the old days when you’d line up and spend half a day waiting. Sometimes only to find out your model/color/storage wasn’t available.
 
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Won't be a problem. Won't even need to wake up and preorder most likely, this is shaping up to be a boring year, so you have nothing to worry about. Haven't had to worry about getting one on launch day for a few years now.
 
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felixroqu3 said:
I’m thinking of getting the new iPhone, but I have a 6:15pm flight to Japan on the September 20th *based on everything I’ve read, it seems like that’s when it’ll release* So I’m wondering if it’s better to pre-order and risk UPS delivering after I leave for the airport, or should I try my luck at the Apple Store, which is 5 short blocks away from my apartment.
Click to expand...


If you live in downtown area of Manhattan, you might have a chance. I've got the 7+ and 8+ on release day. One time at the WTC store, and another time I think it was 14 st. Also got the X three days after release at the WTC store.

If you live near the Williamsburg, Bklyn store, FORGET IT, they will not have anything available. LOL
Best to get your order shipped to a store.
 
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LIVEFRMNYC said:
If you live in downtown area of Manhattan, you might have a chance. I've got the 7+ and 8+ on release day. One time at the WTC store, and another time I think it was 14 st. Also got the X three days after release at the WTC store.

If you live near the Williamsburg, Bklyn store, FORGET IT, they will not have anything available. LOL
Best to get your order shipped to a store.
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I actually live right by the Williamsburg location haha
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chrisforpm said:
Preorder as soon as possible and reserve for in store pickup at Apple. You get a reservation window, so you’ll know exactly when you will be getting the phone.

I’ve done this for the past few launches and generally get in before 10 am. It’s much less chaotic than the old days when you’d line up and spend half a day waiting. Sometimes only to find out your model/color/storage wasn’t available.
Click to expand...
That’s actually a really good idea. I had completely forgotten in-store pick-up was a thing. I’ll do that. Thanks!
 
I have had success multiple times. All at my t mobile store. The last time was when I bought the iPhone 8 but then again everyone was waiting for the X which was coming out right after the 8.
 
Last year, there were only sporadic lapses in availability on the Max models from what I saw. And that was because it was all new - this year the majority of the early adopters of the Max won’t be upgrading.
 
felixroqu3 said:
I’m thinking of getting the new iPhone, but I have a 6:15pm flight to Japan on the September 20th *based on everything I’ve read, it seems like that’s when it’ll release* So I’m wondering if it’s better to pre-order and risk UPS delivering after I leave for the airport, or should I try my luck at the Apple Store, which is 5 short blocks away from my apartment.
Click to expand...

Why don’t you just reserve one at your local apple store when preorder opens, you can even pick a morning time slot.
 
Based on history, it really depends on the hype surrounding the device. If it's a revolutionary new design, good luck. If it's an S year, generally you had no issues. Last year, in my area, you didn't even need to pre-order the XS. The iPhone X was a whole other story.
 
Yup, given how the news and media have been downplaying this year's version (I've seen quite a few sites that all say to wait until next year) - I think you should be fine with a pre-order and pick up in store. Unless something crazy is announced on the 10th, I think most ppl will see this as simply another incremental upgrade to the X/Xs with a better camera and given the $1k prices these days, won't be as likely to upgrade.
 
In recent years, it has been pretty easy to go to an Apple store on launch day and to get a new iPhone. This year should be the easiest yet.
 
Adelphos33 said:
In recent years, it has been pretty easy to go to an Apple store on launch day and to get a new iPhone. This year should be the easiest yet.
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True... unless Apple changes stock levels after reviewing previous launch day demand. Of course part of it is a PR game anyways, if they stock less media can report "sell out/long lines".
 
Make an appointment the Thursday Night/Friday Morning preoders open. We are past peak iPhone so you should have no problem getting an appointment.
 
felixroqu3 said:
That’s actually a really good idea. I had completely forgotten in-store pick-up was a thing. I’ll do that. Thanks!
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Yeah for the first few years of the iPhone Upgrade Program they made us do it in store. I was able to make a reservation on launch day more than once and get one. That was with pre-ordering at 12am PST when the preorders went live.
 
Last few years the enthusiasm for iPhone launches is down you don’t even see lines anymore. You can pick one up for sure. I got mine shipped to my house day of release. I’m too busy to stand around.
 
iPhone launches aren’t what they used to be. Sure it’s still a busy day for Apple stores but over the last few years I’ve noticed the ability to pre order and get the phone on release day is pretty high.
Also in my experience when I order the new phone and have it delivered to my house, it’s usually there early in the morning.
 
12vElectronics said:
iPhone launches aren’t what they used to be. Sure it’s still a busy day for Apple stores but over the last few years I’ve noticed the ability to pre order and get the phone on release day is pretty high.
Also in my experience when I order the new phone and have it delivered to my house, it’s usually there early in the morning.
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Entirely agree here. It’s just so much more efficient now to order direct online for pre-ordering or even through your carrier now. I don’t think Apple even prefers to have lines anymore like they used to, because it just create more of a congested state. I mean, we have the comfort of ordering online and never having to leave our homes, and have the phone within two business days once it actually is ready to ship.
 
12vElectronics said:
iPhone launches aren’t what they used to be. Sure it’s still a busy day for Apple stores but over the last few years I’ve noticed the ability to pre order and get the phone on release day is pretty high.
Also in my experience when I order the new phone and have it delivered to my house, it’s usually there early in the morning.
Click to expand...

I overslept last year past the 12am PST pre-order time by several hours. In the old days that would have meant weeks of waiting. I was still able to get the phone in about a week after launch.
 
I always order for Delhi very to my office on introduction day.

As far as being able to get one at the store, some luck is involved along with enough stock. Might not get exactly what you wanted as the store might have only 10 of a certain color.
 
MisterSavage said:
I overslept last year past the 12am PST pre-order time by several hours. In the old days that would have meant weeks of waiting. I was still able to get the phone in about a week after launch.
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Haha exactly. I didn't get a new iPhone last year but still browsed the website at like 10am PST in the morning 10 hours past the opening of the flood gates and everything was still available lol
 
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