The day Apple fans have been eagerly waiting for is finally here. Apple will officially take the wraps off its latest smartphones and other products in a few hours. But fans seem to be most excited about the 10th anniversary iPhone X. The real challenge will not be to watch the unveiling event, but to pre-order iPhone X. Demand for the device is expected to be high, and supply will be short. You’ll have to be among the first to pre-order iPhone X if you want to get the device on the launch day.
Pre-orders for the new iPhones would open on Friday, September 15 at midnight Pacific Time. That’s 3 a.m. ET if you live in New York. Last year, pre-orders for the Jet Black iPhone 7 and 7 Plus sold out within hours. This year, Apple is replacing the Rose Gold with a new Blush Gold, which is expected to be one of the hottest color options. If you want the iPhone X in your favorite color on the launch day, you will have to be all set to pre-order the device at 12:01 a.m. PT or 3:01 a.m. ET on Friday.
How to prepare to pre-order iPhone X on Sept.15
You do not want to waste time choosing color and storage options when you sit down to place the order at 3:01 a.m. You have between September 12 and September 14 to determine which color option you want, and what storage size will be sufficient for your needs. Apple will officially reveal these details at its special event today. You can compare the new models.
Now it’s time to decide all the extras and accessories you want to purchase with your new iPhone. Do you want to add AppleCare+ to your cart? AirPods or other accessories? Making these decisions beforehand will ensure that you spend minimal time during the checkout process, which would increase your chances of getting the device in your hand on the launch day.
If you want to take advantage of the iPhone Upgrade Program, Apple is going to make it easier for you this time to trade-in your old iPhone. According to MacRumors, you can pre-order iPhone X online and select the option to have a Trade-in Kit sent to your doorstep. The iPhone Upgrade Program allows customers to pay for the new iPhones in installments.
Make sure that you have your carrier information ready. You’ll need to enter your Social Security number (the last four digits), zip code, and phone number. Keep all that information handy. Also, you need to decide how you are going to pay for your new phone. Are you going to use the credit card or Apple Pay? Apple Pay seems to be the fastest method of payment, assuming you have entered the correct debit card or credit card details.
All done? Now you need to decide how you are going to pre-order iPhone X, via the Apple.com website or the Apple Store app. Considering the amount of traffic Apple will receive on its website the moment it opens pre-orders, we wouldn’t be surprised if the site goes down. It makes sense to download the Apple Store app. If you have already downloaded it, make sure that you have the latest version.
Once you are done with all that, it’s only a matter of setting your alarm clock. Wake up a few minutes before 3:01 a.m. and get set to pre-order your new iPhone on September 15th. Good luck.
Fans begin to form queues in front of Apple Stores
An Australian Apple fan has already set up camp outside an Apple Store to be one of the first to buy the new iPhone. Mazen Kourouche, an app developer and YouTuber, has camped outside Apple’s George St store in Sydney. Thanks to the time zone differences, Australia is one of the first countries where pre-orders and in-store sales go live.
The iPhone X along with the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are expected to become available in stores on September 22. It means Mazen Kourouche and other fans will be standing in queue for ten days. Mazen has sought the help of two of his friends to ensure that he doesn’t lose his position at the front of the queue to someone else. He was also one of the first people to buy the iPhone 7 last year. He told media that he was planning to pre-order the iPhone X even though he was lining up.
iPhone X price and supply issues
The iPhone X is going to be the most expensive smartphone Apple has ever launched. It would cost $999, $1,099, and $1,199 for 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage variants, respectively. However, the regular iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are expected to be much more affordable. Of course, there is the iPhone Upgrade Program that could make it easier for you to pay for your handset.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told investors on Monday that the iPhone X will remain in short supply “for awhile” after launch. Apple’s manufacturing partners were producing only 10,000 units per day initially. Kuo blamed “general production issues” and a problem with the new Blush Gold color for the low production rate. The analyst expects production to go up in the coming weeks.
