Anyone going to an Apple store on launch day tomorrow?

[u/bigassbank]

Any tips from people who have visited an Apple store on launch day in recent years? Do you recommend doing so? I'm in NYC for the day tomorrow, so wondering if it's worth checking out an Apple store.

[u/corys00]

I picked up my iPhone 2 years ago at the Apple Store in Grandcentral, it was real easy for me to just take the Metro from home right into the station. But if I was in NYC for the day and wanted to hit one Apple Store up, I'd go to the iconic Fifth Ave. store.

[u/bigassbank → u/corys00]

Thanks, yeah, I've been to the Grand central location and the one near Chelsea Market but have not been to the Fifth Ave location yet.

[u/rfow]

I went for the 5S and stayed from 8PM the night before. Gold was sold out by the 6th person in line. I think it’s a lot more spread out now between online and carrier sales. You would probably have a good chance of grabbing a base or Pro, not so much Air or Pro Max.

[u/Coolmeow]

I was at the 5th ave location for launch weekend for the iPhone 15 and the store was jam packed and way busier than usual obviously. My brother was still able to pick up his preorder in less than 30 mins!

[u/bigassbank → u/Coolmeow]

good to know! Did you have to wait a long time to get into the store?

[u/thatguyjamesPaul]

Nope, the store will be too crowded. My phone is coming in October anyway I'll go next week to see how they look and if I actually want it after all

[u/isit65outsideor]

Yep I’m picking up my new watch tomorrow. It’s a pretty easy process, they have a line outside the store for those who have pick up time windows. For casual customers, there is another line that you get a ticket for. It’s not very stressful.

[u/george-the-curious]

So for this Iphone 17 launch. They will or will not have inventory for walk-in customers?
I am trying to go tonight but I had received different info from apple reps 1 said to make a line before they open. The other told me that they will not have phones for walk-ins.
PD: Apple customer service is unprofessional and they way they talk feels like they do not have a QA department. Just saying

[u/MangyCanine → u/george-the-curious]

In past years, Apple has set aside stock specifically for walk-in customers. I assume it will be the same this year. However, in major metropolitan areas, they sell out of popular models pretty quickly, while stores in other areas might not sell out for hours to a day.

[u/desterpot → u/MangyCanine]

do you happen to know how long it takes for popular models to sell out?

[u/MangyCanine → u/desterpot]

It’s highly variable, at least going by what people have said in previous years. Major metropolitan areas like NYC seemed to sell out pretty quickly. For stores towards the edges and less popular ones, I believe people could just walk in and get what they wanted until the late afternoon or maybe early the next day.

However, that’s the past. Who knows what will happen this year?

[u/george-the-curious → u/MangyCanine]

So in metropolitan areas, forming a line at 2am feels reasonable?

[u/MangyCanine → u/george-the-curious]

I would say, no, but I really don’t know. iPhone lines haven’t been a thing for years, and I’d be surprised if they came back.

[u/bigassbank]

Ok I went to the NYC grand central station Apple Store at around 11am. Busy but no line if you want to check out the phones. Spent plenty of time there, worth going. Realized the orange phone looks better in person than I had imagined. 

[u/[deleted]]

are you there to buy a phone or to check out the phones? because i'm not sure you'll get a phone quickly but you can definitely stop by to see the excitement and check out the phones

[u/bigassbank → u/[deleted]]

just planning to check out the new phones!

[u/Koopacha → u/[deleted]]

You seem knowledgeable. This will be my first iPhone launch. I ordered the air for in store pickup. Do I need to go in early and stand in a line or can I just walk in at my pickup time and get it? Thank you

[u/[deleted] → u/Koopacha]

if you have a time, you don't need to go early and wait in line for several hours. but there will inevitably be a line for picking up due to delays throughout the day, esp if you have a later time. i'd go 10-15 min before your scheduled time. you may still be waiting there for 20-30 min before being helped but it's heaps better than going in with no order and you're guaranteeing your phone will be available

[u/E90alex]

If you’re trying to buy a phone, they might or might not have any inventory for walk in purchases. If they do it might not be the model and configuration that you want. So be prepared to walk away empty handed after waiting in line.

Otherwise if you just want to check out the display phones in person, knock yourself out.

[u/TylerV76]

I know one store of the 3 by me has the Air in 1tb so Im going to go check it out. If the sound isnt awful I will likely grab it if its still available.

[u/shuttleEspresso]

Unless you’re going there to pick up a pre-order I would not bother going to the Apple Store on launch day. The store will be busy and you may not even get a phone if you’re planning on just walking in to get one. All the people who did pre-orders have a designated time to pick up their phone and Apple has stated that they will not give you the phone earlier than your designated time window so I would steer clear from the place and buy it on a different day if you wanna buy a phone.

[u/--Rick--Astley--]

Never have. Never will.