Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a research note today, obtained by MacRumors, outlining his opinions about first-weekend pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4.
Kuo says Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders have been "better than expected," as a result of new innovative functions, such as electrocardiogram support. He predicts Apple Watch shipments will reach 18 million units in 2018, with the Series 4 lineup accounting for 50 to 55 percent of those orders.
If the ECG support expands to more countries, Kuo believes the Series 4 lineup could see even stronger shipment momentum.
In contrast, Kuo says iPhone XS pre-orders are "lower-than-expected," as customers opt for the iPhone XS Max or wait for the iPhone XR. Kuo has lowered his forecast for iPhone XS orders, believing the model will account for only 10 to 15 percent of shipments of the new 2018 iPhones, down from 15 to 20 percent.
Kuo says iPhone XS Max pre-orders have been in line with expectations, signifying the success of Apple's high-pricing strategy:
There is strong Chinese demand thanks to the gold casing, dual-SIM, and large display. The XS Max average shipping time is shorter than the 2H17 iPhone X (1–2 weeks vs. 2–3 weeks), which we think is due to supply improvements. We maintain our forecasts that the XS Max will account for 25–30% of 2H18 new iPhone model shipments.
Kuo sees a positive outlook for the iPhone XR, available to pre-order October 19, given its lower pricing and dual-SIM support in China.
The well-known analyst increased his forecast for iPhone XR orders, estimating that the model will account for 55 to 60 percent of shipments of the new 2018 iPhones, up from 50 to 55 percent previously.
"We estimate the shipment peak of XS Max and XS will be in October and XR will start shipping and benefiting supply chain momentum in October," said Kuo.
iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders began Friday.
The first iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 orders placed on the online Apple Store have shifted to "Preparing to Ship" ahead of an expected Friday, September 21 delivery date.
Many orders in the United States, Australia, the UK, and and other countries have changed status and should be shipping out to customers in the near future. Apple Watch Series 4 and iPhone XS orders that have shifted to "Preparing for Shipment" can no longer be modified or canceled.
Apple began accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max on Friday, September 14 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time. By the time a half hour had passed, many iPhone XS Max models had sold out and were no longer available for launch day delivery.
As of today, new iPhone XS Max orders will not ship out until October, but some models are still available for in-store pickup on September 21 in select stores. Retail stores are also expected to have supplies available for walk-in purchases on launch day.
Supplies of the smaller 5.8-inch iPhone XS are plentiful and that device remains available for Friday delivery.
After orders began shipping, Apple's shipment status information may not be updated right away. Over the course of the next few days, some customers in the United States may be able to track their shipments using track by reference features on the UPS and FedEx websites.
Update: This article has been updated to include the Apple Watch Series 4 as some orders in the United States recently began changing to "Preparing to Ship." Not all Apple Watch Series 4 orders have been updated at this time, while most iPhone XS and XS Max orders are in the preparing to ship phase.
Ahead of next week's launch of iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12, Apple has released an updated version of the Shortcuts app that will be available once iOS 12 is released.
The new Shortcuts beta is the golden master (GM) version of the app, which represents the final version of the app that will be provided to consumers.
According to Apple's release notes, the new Shortcuts update introduces new actions that were not available during the beta testing period, with "Limited actions available in beta" listed as a resolved issue.
Over the course of the iOS 12 beta testing period, access to the Shortcuts iOS app via Testflight has been limited to developers. Public beta testers and general consumers will be able to experience the Shortcuts app for the first time next week.
For those unfamiliar with Shortcuts, it's an iOS 12 Siri feature designed to let you create multi-step shortcuts using first and third-party apps that can be activated by Siri voice command.
So, for example, you can create a shortcut to do something like turn on the thermostat at home using the Nest app, text your roommate that you're on the way with Messages, and open up the Maps app with directions home all with a single "I'm going home" Siri command.
Shortcuts are deeply customizable, with third-party apps able to expose a series of quick actions to Siri that can be incorporated into your Shortcuts recipes. Apps are expected to begin releasing updates with Siri Shortcuts support and other iOS 12 features starting next week.
Apple will release iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12 to the public on Monday, September 17. The software updates will likely be released at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
Apple today shared a video focused on the iPhone XS, which is designed to offer up all of the details that you need to know about the new device in just 54 seconds.
The short video runs through all of the features that distinguish the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max from the previous-generation iPhone X.
The video covers notable features like the 5.8 and 6.5-inch screen sizes, A12 Bionic chip, faster Face ID, IP68 water resistance, and more, with a list below.
Biggest screen on an iPhone ever
Super durable all-glass design
More water and dust resistant
Now in Gold
Face ID is even more advanced
Dual cameras are smarter
Depth control
Highest quality video
Smartest and most powerful chip in an iPhone
Faster wireless charging
Gigabit LTE
Wider stereo sound
The video wraps up with the tagline "It's not just one amazing iPhone, it's two.
This is the second quick summary style video that Apple has done, and it follows a two minute video that was published following Apple's event, wrapping up everything that was announced in 108 seconds.
These quick videos offer up a useful way for Apple to share all of the new features in the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max in a short period of time, making them ideal for commercials and use on social media. We may see more of these videos in the future as Apple continues advertising the new 2018 iPhone and Apple Watch models.
Apple's iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were announced earlier this week, and are now available for pre-order from Apple's online store. Both devices are set to be launched next week, on Friday, September 21.
Update: Apple has also shared a new "Shot on iPhone XS" video highlighting the video-capturing capabilities of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max with a video experiment that uses sound, slo-mo, time-lapse, and 4k video to capture scenes of water, fire, metal and light.
Update 2: Apple on Saturday shared another iPhone XS and XS Max video highlighting the 5.8 and 6.5-inch displays of the two devices.
Apple on Wednesday introduced the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, its new flagship smartphones, and the lower-priced iPhone XR.
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are the latest and greatest models with the most features. That also makes them the most expensive, starting at $999 and $1,099 respectively in the United States, versus the iPhone XR at $749 and up.
To make the buying decision easier, we've put together a comparison of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR below.
Just the Tech Specs
iPhone XR
6.1-inch LCD display
1792×828 resolution (326 PPI)
True Tone
Single 12-megapixel rear camera (wide-angle lens)
Single 7-megapixel front camera
Portrait Mode with Depth Control
Smart HDR photos
A12 Bionic chip
Face ID via TrueDepth sensors
Lightning connector
Fast charging capable: up to 50% charge in 30 minutes
Qi-based wireless charging
IP67-rated water resistance to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
64GB / 128GB / 256GB
Dual SIM (Nano-SIM and eSIM)
LTE Advanced
VoLTE
802.11ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO
Bluetooth 5.0
iPhone XS
5.8-inch OLED display
2436×1125 resolution (458 PPI)
True Tone
Dual 12-megapixel rear cameras (wide-angle and telephoto lenses)
Single 7-megapixel front camera
Portrait Mode with Depth Control
Smart HDR photos
A12 Bionic chip
Face ID via TrueDepth sensors
Lightning connector
Fast charging capable: up to 50% charge in 30 minutes
Qi-based wireless charging
IP68-rated water resistance to a depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes
64GB / 256GB / 512GB
Dual SIM (Nano-SIM and eSIM)
Gigabit-class LTE
VoLTE
802.11ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO
Bluetooth 5.0
HDR display
3D Touch
iPhone XS Max has a larger 6.5-inch OLED display and one-hour-longer battery life, but otherwise identical tech specs as the iPhone XS.
What do I lose with the iPhone XR?
With a $250 lower price point, the iPhone XR doesn't have all of the bells and whistles of the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max. Apple had to make some trade-offs to get the price down, but not as many as one might expect.
We've explained the differences between the iPhone XR and iPhone XS in more detail below, but from a bird's eye view, expect some compromises related to the display, cameras, and overall design. Apple has also replaced 3D Touch on the iPhone XR with a new haptic feedback solution named Haptic Touch.
To celebrate the launch of Apple's new 2018 iPhones, we're hosting a few special giveaways this week, and we've saved the best for last.
We've teamed up with Casetify to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a brand new 64GB Space Gray iPhone XS Max along with a Casetify Impact iPhone case bundle.
Apple's 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max is its newest, biggest flagship device, and Casetify has an attractive, slim case ready to go for the new device and its sibling, the 5.8-inch iPhone XS.
Casetify's Impact Cases for iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are some of the slimmest cases available that also offer Military Grade drop protection. They measure in at 2.8mm thick, but offer protection from drops of up to 6.6 feet.
Priced at $49, the Impact Case features a dual-layer construction with a "Qitech" shockproof material that offers both impact resistance and shock absorption for protection from drops. iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are made from glass to allow for wireless charging, so a case like the Impact is essential.
If you're not familiar with Casetify, you should know that all of Casetify's cases are ultra customizable. You can choose from millions of artist designs or upload your own designs.
The Impact Case features a high gloss finish that can be customized with any design and there's a raised bezel to protect the screen when it's face down. A flash absorbent camera ring is located at the back and the Qitech material at the sides adds style and protection. All Casetify cases work with wireless charging.
Casetify is giving an iPhone XS Max and case bundle to one lucky MacRumors reader, but those who don't win can get a 20 percent discount on an Impact Case from the Casetify website, dropping the price from $49 to $39. Just use code MACRUMORS when checking out.
To enter to win the iPhone XS Max, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (September 14) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 21. The winners will be chosen randomly on September 21 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are now up for pre-order on Apple.com, and with the debut of new smartphones from Apple, all of the major carriers have also kicked off their own special offers for the devices. Below we've taken a look at the major iPhone XS-related deals from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, so read on to see how you can save some money if you haven't yet purchased one of the latest iPhones.
AT&T
If you buy the iPhone XS with AT&T, you'll get another XS for $700 off if both are purchased on AT&T Next. The limited time offer requires a new line to be added onto a Next plan, and the $700 promotion will be applied over 30 months.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
If you would prefer the second device in the BOGO deal to be an iPhone 8, you can also get the 64GB iPhone 8 ($599.99) or the 64GB iPhone 8 Plus ($699.99) for free.
AT&T notes that you can also receive the $700 as a credit towards a more expensive iPhone, including a 256GB iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, or iPhone XS Max (priced up to $1,450). In these cases the second iPhone will be discounted but not completely free.
Verizon essentially has the same offer as AT&T, allowing you to mix-and-match a BOGO deal where you can buy the iPhone XS, XS Max, X, 8, or 8 Plus, add a new line to one of the phones, and save $700 on the second. In Verizon's offer, the credit of $29.16 will be added to your monthly bill for the next 24 months.
This means that you'll pay full price for the two iPhones over 24 months, but then in one to two billing cycles you'll begin to see a credit of $29.16 added to your account. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus in the deal are for the 256GB model, but if you opt for the 64GB option the credit placed on your account will be $24.99 per month.
Alternatively, Verizon's second offer lets you save $100 with select trade-ins. When purchasing an iPhone XS, XS Max, X, 8, or 8 Plus with a select trade-in (that's in good working and cosmetic condition), you'll receive $100 over 24 months as a monthly credit. Verizon will send a prepaid package to mail the trade-in within 30 days at no cost.
The carrier notes that if your trade-in is valued at higher than $100 then you'll get the full value as an account credit, or new customers can get the full value as a virtual gift card sent two weeks after it receives your device.
Devices eligible for trade-in include: iPhone X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, 7, 6s Plus, 6s, 6 plus, 6, 5s and SE. Non-Apple devices include: Google Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel and Pixel XL; LG V30, V20, V10, G6, G5 and G4; Motorola Z2 Force, Z Force, Z2 Play, Z Play, Z Droid, Z Play and Turbo 2; Samsung GS9, GS9+, GS8, GS8+, GS7, 7 Edge, 7 Active, GS6, 6 Edge, 6 Edge+, 6 Active, GS5, GS4, Note 8, Note 5, Note 4 and Note Edge; HTC 10 and M9/M9+.
At T-Mobile, if you buy an iPhone XS, XS Max, X, 8, or 8 Plus, you can save up to $300 through bill credits that expand over 24 months with an eligible iPhone trade-in. The new device must be purchased on one of T-Mobile's monthly payment plans, and the trade-ins are required to be in good condition, with values designated below:
- Devices in good condition for $300 value: iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus
- Devices in good condition for $200 value: iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus
- Devices in good condition for $100 value: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone SE, iPhone 5C
If you meet all of these criteria, T-Mobile will add a credit of up to $12.50 on your monthly bill for 24 months, after one to two bill cycles following the trade-in shipping.
Sprint has a few offers as well, with the 64GB iPhone XS available for $0/month or the 64GB XS Max for $4.17/month following an eligible trade-in. These include iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy S9+, LG G7 ThinQ, Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S8+, Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, Samsung Galaxy Note8, Google Pixel 2, and Google Pixel 2XL.
With the value of the trade-in, you'll get $41.67 per month credit for both 64GB models of the iPhone XS and XS Max, applied within two billing cycles. The new devices must be purchased on an 18-month lease, with a new line and approved credit.
As a more basic offer, if you switch to Sprint you'll get $100 for each new line of service that you add when you lease a new smartphone. The credit will come in the form of a $100 Prepaid Mastercard for each new line that you add. Besides the lease, this deal requires online registration and 60 days of service before you see the card shipped.
Pre-orders for the iPhone XS and XS Max went up at 12:01 a.m. PDT earlier this morning, and shipping estimates for the bigger XS Max began slipping under an hour after orders went live. The new Apple Watch Series 4 also went up for pre-order at the same time today, and now almost all stainless steel Apple Watch Series 4 models are listing shipping dates of October 5 to October 12, with the exception of some 40mm models.
Apple is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Florence relief efforts, as it routinely does for natural disasters, according to a tweet shared by Apple CEO Tim Cook today.
Apple often accepts Red Cross donations from customers through the App Store and iTunes Store, but it has yet to add banners to either storefront, or Apple.com. We'll update this article if that changes.
The Carolinas are in our hearts. To our employees there, first responders and everyone in Hurricane Florence’s path, please stay safe. To help those affected, Apple is donating $1M to the Red Cross.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 14, 2018
Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina earlier today as a Category 1 storm, resulting in destructive winds, rain, and storm surges across the Carolinas and southeastern United States.
LG has been selected as a secondary supplier of flexible OLED display panels for iPhones, according to Korean publication ETNews.
The report, citing unnamed sources, claims that LG's sixth-generation flexible OLED display panels recently passed a series of Apple's quality tests. LG is now preparing for mass production at one of its plants, the sources said.
In April, The Wall Street Journal reported that Samsung would likely remain Apple's exclusive supplier of OLED display panels for the latest iPhones, unveiled Wednesday, after LG fell behind schedule due to mass production challenges.
If today's report is accurate, however, LG may still be coming on board as a secondary supplier of at least some OLED panels soon. Korean newspaper Newspin reported about a potential deal signed between Apple and LG back in July.
Samsung has been Apple's exclusive supplier of OLED display panels since the iPhone X launched last year. Numerous reports have identified LG as a potential second supplier, as Apple routinely aims to diversify its component makers.
While this news does not have significant implications for customers, Apple can potentially negotiate lower prices for OLED panels as Samsung and LG compete for its business, thereby lowering its production costs of OLED-equipped iPhones.
Earlier this week, Apple introduced the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max with 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch sized OLED displays respectively. The new, lower-priced iPhone XR is equipped with a 6.1-inch LCD as a cost-cutting measure.
The original iPhone X also has a 5.8-inch OLED display, but Apple discontinued that model upon announcing the XS and XS Max.
Apple has announced it will invest in a mangrove tree restoration project for a 27,000-acre forest in Colombia, as part of a broader effort by the company to achieve carbon neutrality (via Fast Company).
Apple VP of environment, policy, and social initiatives Lisa Jackson gave details of the investment at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, but stopped short of disclosing how much cash Apple intends to earmark for the project, which is being undertaken in partnership with the non-profit Conservation International.
Image via Fast Company
"These forests are critical because they're one of nature's most important tools in the battle against climate change – they can absorb and store up to ten times more carbon than a terrestrial forest," Jackson told the audience.
The project will involve tree-planting in degraded areas of the Colombian forest and tree preservation, which should help capture an estimated one million metric tons of CO2 emissions over its lifetime. Projections over the first two years indicate 17,000 metric tons in reduced emissions.
That's the same amount of emissions generated by the cars that will update Apple Maps over the next decade, making the program carbon neutral for the company, notes Fast Company.
According to M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International, mangrove trees are excellent absorbers of carbon and are able to store carbon dioxide in their leaves and branches, as well as siphon off the gas into surrounding soil and sediment through vast underwater root systems.
Mangrove trees "have the densest carbon storage of any habitat on Earth," said Sanjayan. "If you want to actually change the thermostat of the world in your lifetime, then ending the destruction of mangroves and restoring them is one of the biggest things you can do."
Conservation International has calculated how much "blue carbon" the trees sequester underwater, which will allow the project to quantify the trees' ability to act as "carbon sponges".
"By investing, [Apple] opened the door for others to also think about blue carbon as a viable way to sequester carbon and reduce emissions globally," said Sanjayan.
Back in 2015, Apple partnered with the Conservation Fund to acquire over 36,000 acres of working forest in Maine and California, ensuring the maintenance of the forests and preserving the supply of raw materials for paper. Later that year, Apple committed to protecting one million acres of forest in China.
Underlining its environmental commitments, Apple announced in April that its global facilities, including retail stores, offices, data centers, and more, are powered with 100 percent clean energy.
Apple began accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 models at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, and a half hour later, shipping estimates have slipped for many iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 4 models in the United States. At launch, all devices listed delivery estimates of Friday, September 21, but now estimates have largely slipped to October.
iPhone XS Max models in all colors and all capacities from Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are now listing delivery dates ranging from September 28 to October 12, but in some areas, in-store pickup on launch day remains an option.
For the SIM-free iPhone XS Max models, which must be purchased in full up front and are not eligible for the iPhone Upgrade Program, most continue to list September 21 delivery dates. Shipping estimates for the iPhone XS have not slipped and supplies of that device appear to be plentiful.
Almost all stainless steel Apple Watch Series 4 models are now listing shipping dates of October 5 to October 12 with the exception of some 40mm models, and supplies of aluminum Apple Watch Series 4 models available for launch day delivery are also beginning to wane.
Multiple Cellular + GPS models are still available, but the less expensive GPS-only models are almost all listing October shipping dates.
Shipping estimates for the Apple Watch Series 4 and iPhone XS Max are likely to continue to slip as additional orders are placed. Those who were not able to place an order early will not be able to get launch day delivery through an online shipment, but Apple retail stores are likely to have stock available for walk-in purchases.
The first pre-orders for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 will be delivered on Friday, September 21, the official launch date for the devices.
Apple is now accepting pre-orders for the new iPhone XS and XS Max models through its online storefront and through the Apple Store app.
Available in 5.8 and 6.5-inch screen sizes, the iPhone XS and XS Max feature super sharp edge-to-edge OLED displays with support for Dolby Vision, HDR 10, and Wide Color.
Design wise, the new smartphones look like the iPhone X with stainless steel frames and glass bodies, but there's a new gold color option, improved IP68 waterproofing, and the internals have been upgraded. The new iPhones are equipped with the A12, which is faster and more efficient than the A11.
Face ID unlocking is faster than before, and the dual-lens camera system has been upgraded with a bigger sensor for sharper, crisper photos in low light, plus there's a new Smart HDR feature that brings out more detail in images and a new Depth Control option that allows for adjustable depth of field.
Pre-orders are available in first wave launch countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UAE, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
All of the major U.S. carriers -- Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile -- are accepting pre-orders for the new devices, as are many other carriers around the world. Major online retailers including Best Buy and Target are also accepting pre-orders starting today.
Pricing on the iPhone XS begins at $999 for 64GB of storage, with 256GB of storage priced at $1149 and 512GB of storage priced at $1349. iPhone Upgrade Program customers will be able to get the iPhone XS starting at $49.91 per month.
Pricing on the iPhone XS Max begins at $1099 for 64GB of storage, with 256GB of storage priced at $1249 and 512GB of storage priced at $1449. iPhone Upgrade Customers will be able to purchase the iPhone XS Max starting at $54.08 per month.
In the United States, customers can purchase iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models from any of the four major carriers using Apple's site, or choose a SIM-free version. That SIM-free models are available suggests supplies are plentiful, but it's still always a good idea to place orders early.
Customers who successfully place an order for launch day delivery can expect to begin receiving their devices starting on Friday, September 21, the official launch date for the iPhone XS and XS Max.
Alongside the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the Apple Watch Series 4 is now available for pre-order from Apple's online storefront and through the Apple Store app.
Apple Watch Series 4 marks the first ever design change for the Apple Watch since its debut, with the new models offering displays that are up to 30 percent larger along with a smaller, thinner case. The new models are available in 40 and 44mm size options, up from 38 and 42mm.
Several new watch faces have been designed for the Apple Watch Series 4 to take advantage of the additional screen real estate, and all models now use black ceramic and sapphire crystal backing for better cellular service.
Haptic feedback has been built into the Digital Crown, which is also equipped with electrodes to enable a new feature that lets the watch take an electrocardiogram (ECG) reading. Inside, the Apple Watch Series 4 is equipped with a faster, more efficient S4 chip and a next-generation accelerometer and gyroscope enable fall detection. Despite the new features, Series 4 models continue to offer "all-day" 18-hour battery life.
Pre-orders for the cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models are available in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and US.
Non-cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models are available for pre-order in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
Major U.S. carriers - Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile - are accepting pre-orders for the LTE Apple Watch Series 4 models, as are other carriers around the world. Major online retailers including Best Buy and Target are also accepting pre-orders starting today.
Supplies of the Apple Watch Series 4 could potentially be limited and the device may be in high demand given that it's a major upgrade over the Series 3, so customers interested in launch-day delivery should order as soon as possible.
Apple Watch Series 4 models are available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold in both aluminum and stainless steel. Apple is offering multiple configurations and band options for the Series 4, with a full list of options available here.
The first Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders are expected to arrive to customers on Friday, September 21, the official launch date for the device. Nike+ Series 4 models are available for pre-order today but won't be shipped out to customers until October 5.
Apple has taken its online storefront down in order to prepare for pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4, with orders set to launch at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time or 3:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 14 in the United States.
In other countries, pre-order times will vary based on local time zone. Pre-orders will kick off at 5:01 p.m. in Sydney, for example, 3:01 p.m. in China, and 8:01 a.m. in the UK. For details on when pre-orders go live in your country, make sure to check out our post that lists all of the pre-order times.
Apple will plans to accept pre-orders through the Apple website and the Apple Store app. T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon will all be accepting pre-orders for the iPhones and cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models in the U.S., as will major retailers like Target and Best Buy.
Pre-orders for iPhone XS and XS Max will be available from Apple at 12:01 a.m. PT in the following first wave launch countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UAE, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
Pre-orders for the cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models will be available in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and US.
Non-cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models will be available for pre-order in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
Because it's not clear whether Apple has adequate supply of iPhone XS, XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 models, customers hoping to get one of the new devices on launch day should order as early as possible. We haven't heard word of shortages, but it's still always best to order as soon as you can.
The iPhone XS and XS Max, which are priced starting at $999 and $1099, respectively, are available in 64, 256, and 512GB configurations in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray.
Apple Watch Series 4 GPS-only models start at $399, while Apple Watch Series 4 models with GPS and LTE start at $499. Apple Watch Series 4 will be available in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray aluminum and stainless steel.
The first Apple Watch Series 4, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max orders placed today are expected to be delivered on Friday, September 21, the official launch date for the devices.
Pre-orders for the iPhone XR are not set to go live until October 19, so customers who prefer Apple's lower-cost device will need to wait until then to make a purchase.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Choetech to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Wireless Charging Stand that's perfect for use with Apple's newly announced 2018 iPhones.
Choetech's Wireless Charging Stand, which supports the faster 7.5W charging specification, works with the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.
Priced at $24, the Wireless Charging Stand comes bundled with the QC 3.0 power adapter that's necessary to enable 7.5W wireless charging on iOS devices. For other Qi-based devices, such as Samsung's Galaxy line, it will also charge at up to 10W.
This upright charger features a little shelf to hold the iPhone in place along with two charging coils so that it will work well with iPhones of all sizes. Your iPhone can be placed in either portrait or landscape orientation when using the Wireless Charging Stand.
Choetech has included temperature protection, over-voltage protection, and short circuit protection for safe charging, and there's a built-in indicator to show charging status with a sleep-friendly muted light.
Choetech is offering a discount on the Wireless Charging Stand and the separate power adapter for those who don't win our giveaway. The Wireless Charging Adapter is available for $18.99 with the code MACHO524B, while the Wireless Charging Stand is available for $9.99 with code MACHO524.
We have 30 of the Choetech Wireless Charging Stands to give away. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
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The contest will run from today (September 13) at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time through 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time on September 21. The winners will be chosen randomly on September 21 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
Pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 will begin at 12:01 a.m Pacific Time on September 14, which is just hours away. While Apple tends to offer the smoothest, more streamlined pre-order process through its website and Apple Store app, multiple carriers and retailers will also be offering September 14 pre-orders.
There are no rumors suggesting supplies of the new devices are going to be constrained, but it's always a good idea to pre-order early if you're aiming for a launch day device. It's a good idea to have a backup plan if Apple happens to sell out of a particular device that you're aiming for.
Below, we've rounded up the carriers and retailers in the United States that we've confirmed are offering pre-orders for the new Apple Watch and iPhone models.
Carriers
T-Mobile will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
Customers can elect to sign up for a reminder email on the T-Mobile website, and those with the T-Mobile app will receive a push notification when pre-orders go live.
T-Mobile's Equipment Installment Plan will require a $279.99 down payment for the 64GB iPhone XS, with monthly payments at $30. Higher down payments of $429 and $629 are required for the 256 and 512GB models.
For the iPhone XS Max, T-Mobile will require customers to pay $379.99 up front, with monthly payments at $30 per month. A downpayment of $529 is required for the 256GB iPhone XS Max, while a $729 downpayment is required for the 512GB iPhone XS Max.
T-Mobile customers can get an aluminum Apple Watch Series 4 model for $0 down with monthly payments of $20.83 for the 40mm version and $22.08 for the 44mm version. Stainless steel models will require a downpayment of $171.99 (40mm) or $221.99 (44mm) with a monthly payment of $22.
T-Mobile says that its "super well-qualified customers" can pre-order iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models for $0 down, with the chart above pertaining to "well-qualified customers," so pricing may vary.
Customers who trade in an eligible iPhone can get up to $300 towards the purchase price of a new iPhone.
AT&T will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14. AT&T will also be offering the Apple Watch Series 4 starting on September 14.
AT&T is featuring a countdown to when pre-orders begin on its website, and customers can also sign up to receive an email when pre-orders go live.
Pricing for the iPhone XS starts at $41.63 per month for 24 months using AT&T's Next payment installment program. Pricing for the iPhone XS Max starts at $45.80 per month for 24 months using AT&T Next.
Verizon will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
There is a countdown to pre-orders on the Verizon website, and customers can sign up for email updates.
iPhone XS pricing at Verizon starts at $41.66 per month for 24 months, while iPhone XS Max pricing starts at $45.83 per month for 24 months.
Verizon will be selling the Apple Watch Series 4 for $83.33 per month paid over six months, with the company planning to temporarily waive line charges when a new Apple Watch is activated.
Verizon is offering a promomotion that provides $700 off a second iPhone when purchasing an iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8+, iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max using a Verizon device payment plan and activating a new line of service.
As for trade-ins, Verizon is offering a $100 minimum trade-in with iPhone XS or XS Max purchase.
Sprint will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
According to Sprint, Sprint customers can "jump the line" and receive Sprint Priority Status by downloading the MySprint app. Sprint is reserving pre-order spots starting now, allowing customers to save a spot without needing to get up at midnight PT.
Sprint customers are instructed to choose a device and then re-visit the Sprint app by midnight on Saturday, September 15 to place an official order.
Comcast's Xfinity Mobile will be offering iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max pre-orders starting at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
Retailers
Best Buy confirmed to MacRumors that it will begin accepting pre-orders for Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T iPhone XS and XS Max models at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders will also be available at the same time.
Target will be offering iPhone XS, XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 for sale, and while the website does not list a specific availability time, it's likely pre-orders will kick off at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time.
Target will have Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint models available for purchase.
Like Target, Walmart is listing the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max as "coming soon," with no specific availability date listed. Apple Watch Series 4 is also listed as "coming soon."
We've asked Walmart for clarification, but it's likely pre-orders will begin at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time.
B&H Photo is accepting pre-orders for the Apple Watch Series 4 starting at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, September 14. Most customers ordering from B&H Photo will not need to pay taxes as taxes are only applicable in New York or New Jersey.
B&H Photo does not sell iPhones and will not have iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models available.
AppleCare+ for Apple Watch Series 4 models is priced at $79, $30 more than AppleCare+ cost for the Apple Watch Series 3 models.
The new AppleCare+ pricing for the Apple Watch Series 4 models is listed on purchase pages and on Apple's AppleCare+ product page. Customers purchasing AppleCare+ for a new Apple Watch can pay the $79 up front or pay a fee of $3.99 per month for 24 months.
It's not clear why Apple has increased the price of AppleCare+ for the Apple Watch Series 4 by $30, but these models do include larger displays and new electrical sensors to enable ECG functionality.
The $79 price point applies to both aluminum and stainless steel Apple Watch Series 4 models with LTE + GPS connectivity and GPS connectivity alone.
AppleCare+ for Apple Watch Series 4 extends warranty coverage up to two years from the date of purchase and it adds coverage for two incidents of accidental damage, each subject to a $69 service fee.
For Hermès Apple Watch Series 4 models, Apple is continuing to charge $99 for AppleCare+.
If you missed Apple's "Gather Round" event yesterday or if you just want to rewatch, the event video in its entirety is now available from Apple's YouTube channel, in addition to the Apple Event website.
At the "Gather Round" event that was held at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, Apple unveiled its new 2018 iPhone and Apple Watch lineup.
Three new iPhones made an appearance, including the high-end flagship OLED iPhone XS and XS Max in 5.8 and 6.5-inch screen sizes and the new lower-priced iPhone XR, which features an LCD display and six color options.
Apple also unveiled new Apple Watch Series 4 models with bigger displays, slimmer bodies, a faster S4 chip, a haptic Digital Crown, and support for taking electrocardiogram (ECG) readings.
If you don't want to watch Apple's full video, take a look at our recap, which covers all of the major features you need to know in just six minutes.
The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 will be available for pre-order starting tonight at 12:01 a.m. ahead of a September 21 launch date. The iPhone XR will be available for pre-order on October 19 ahead of an October 26 launch date.
Apple still has multiple products on the horizon that did not make a debut at the September event, which suggests we may also get an October event where the company launches new Macs and iPad Pro models.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
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