Apple is getting ready to announce the iPhone X and iPhone 8 at a special event this week, and it might be tempting to plan to queue up for the new iPhone. Queuing for any new iPhone isn’t the best idea, but it’s an even worse idea this year.
We’re already hearing that some people are queuing up for the iPhone X. That’s right, the iPhone, which hasn’t been officially announced yet, is exciting enough in Australia that people are already lining up.
Even in the best possible circumstances, the iPhone X release date will be September 22, which is the best case. We’re hearing that the top-of-the-line iPhone X may not go on sale until October. While this person is most likely planning on getting in and out, there’s the potential to wait in line for the iPhone 8 for close to a month.
Two days before the actual announcement itself, the first person camped outside the Sydney Apple Store. #iPhone8 pic.twitter.com/7R6TLYrtja
– Luke Hopewell (@lukehopewell) September 11, 2017
Most iPhone X series don’t start in earnest until the iPhone X is nearing its release date. Normally we see some lines open 2-3 days ago, but the biggest growth happens in the early morning on the day of iPhone launch. Expect lines to go from half a dozen to several dozen between the 2am to 8am store opening time we expect to see in carriers and Apple Stores.
Last year, you couldn’t buy the iPhone 7 Plus in store at most carrier stores or even on release day at many Apple Stores. The iPhone 7 in Jet Black was basically impossible to find in stock in a store, even if you were in the first row. We heard from people who were waiting in line for the new iPhone and could not get the model they wanted despite being the first.
Users are waiting in line to buy a new iPhone. jessicakirsh / Shutterstock.com
We expect it to be even worse this year. KGI Securities predictions iPhone X is in production, which can lead to approx. Apple typically reports 5 to 10 million iPhone sales over a new iPhone weekend. Most of this is being talked about in a pre-order process that we expect to start this year.
If you want the iPhone X, don’t queue for it and don’t queue for it right now. Instead, plan to stay up late to pre-order this week between 12:01 PM Pacific, 3:01 PM East Thursday night and Friday morning when we expect pre-orders to begin. Often times stock at Apple stores and carriers will be talked about with pre-orders and will not arrive at the local store unless you pick them up from the store. Typically, stock at Apple Stores is better than at carriers or Best Buy, but Apple stores also pull the biggest lines.
With the iPhone 6s in 2015, Apple allowed people to order online for in-store pickup, but didn’t include that option for midnight pre-orders for the iPhone 7. We would order but not hold our breath. As a result, the best way to get the new iPhone as soon as possible would be to pre-order it online as soon as Apple and carriers allow you to do so. If you pre-order, you can take the new iPhone to Apple or your carrier for help with setup.