iPhone 12 Apple Store Launch Inventory

[fantasyphil]

Hey everyone!

Does anyone know if physical Apple store locations will have any additional inventory for walk up customers on Friday? If so do you just walk up or do you need to make a reservation online? If not, will preorders or launch inventory go live on the app at a specific time or is it random? Thanks!

 

[Infinitewisdom]

In past years, they’ve always had inventory in store on day one. It’s hit or miss depending on which version you’re getting though. You probably also need to reserve a time to go in during these COVID times.

 

[lsh]

In past years, they’ve always had inventory in store on day one. It’s hit or miss depending on which version you’re getting though. You probably also need to reserve a time to go in during these COVID times.

Yes, the appointment you want is a ‘shopping specialist’ appointment. They usually only book up to 3 days out. So the first clue will be if you canot get an appointment, then they probably don’t have them.

At our store, they only let walk ins wait in line if they aren’t already booked with appointments. For my watch, I went online that day and bought one and in that case, I bought online and scheduled a pickup. That day they weren’t taking walk ins at all, they had you scan a QR code to help you schedule with a shopping specialist or for a repair.

But you can also check starting Friday morning and every day thereafter if they have inventory by trying to buy the phone. The easiest way to check the status (that I know of) is by trying to buy one outright as a new phone regardless of how you want to buy. And if you find one nearby, then buy it the way you want it (monthly payments, etc).

 

[LonestarOne]

The retail stores draw from a different stockpile than online orders, so there will be some stock available on release day. They usually sell out, but it might be different this year since Covid-19 is limiting the number of people they can serve.

 

[mailman199]

That’s what I’m curious about with COVID, will they try to limit the rush on the physical stores?