Apple, AT&T stores to open early June 19 for iPhone 3G S launch

Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:13PM EDT

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Once again, both Apple and AT&T retail stores will fling open their doors bright and early for next Friday's launch of the new iPhone. The big difference this year? Both Apple and AT&T are already (and thankfully) taking pre-orders online.

CNET News.com reports that Apple stores in the U.S. and worldwide will turn on the lights at 8 a.m. sharp June 19, the first day that the just-announced iPhone 3G S goes on sale.

Meanwhile, AT&T stores will start handing out pre-ordered iPhone 3G S handsets at 7 a.m., while everyone else will have to wait until 8 a.m.

Apple and AT&T stores opened early last year, too, for the launch of the iPhone 3G. But the orderly lines turned chaotic after Apple's servers buckled under the pressure of thousands of simultaneous iPhone activations, and many angry customers went home with unactivated iPhones—or simply left empty-handed after waiting for hours.

The procession might be a lot more orderly this time, however, because both Apple and AT&T are taking pre-orders online—thank goodness.

On Apple's site, you can either reserve an iPhone 3G S for pickup at the store (although handsets will be doled out on "a first-come, first-serve basis," we're told), or you can pre-pay and get your new iPhone shipped, with delivery on June 19—launch day. (I picked the latter option—and yes, as an iPhone 3G owner, I'm swallowing hard and paying $499 for the 32GB model.) AT&T is also taking pre-orders online for delivery on June 19, or you can pre-order in-person and pick it up early next Friday.

That's a far cry from last summer, when neither Apple nor AT&T would take pre-orders—or ever orders, for that matter—for the iPhone 3G, even months after launch day. In fact, AT&T didn't start taking iPhone 3G orders online until last December, while the online Apple Store didn't offer online iPhone 3G sales until just a month ago.

So, question for the iPhone fans out there: How many of you have already decided to buy the iPhone 3G S—and if so, will you go buy it on launch day, or simply pre-order it online? Also, how many of you are holding off until the reviews come in, or are you satisfied with the 3G (or the original)?

Related:
Apple selling iPhone 3G S at 8 a.m. June 19, AT&T at 7 a.m. [CNET]

Comments on Apple, AT&T stores to open early June 19 for iPhone 3G S launch

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  • 1 Posted by mwbudd on Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Even though I purchased my phone in March I would have gladly shelled out the $200 for a new phone but AT&T and Apple be danged if I am going to pay the additional $200 extortion fee to "upgrade" to the new iPhone. The very least these folks could do is to at least give us the same deal they'd give someone who was walking in off the street. Hurrumph!

  • 2 Posted by rsg540@sbcglobal.net on Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    i got my 3G iPhone last October and simply love it. I am though going to wait till after the release of the iPhone 3G S to get one. Since the new software comes out on June 17th, for now that will be good enough for me. Also if you can wait till after Christmas that gives apple time to fix and "bugs" or glitches that might occur in the new phone.

  • 3 Posted by individualhealth on Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    I reserved my iphone 3g-s on Apple's web site and plan to pick it up in the store. I'm going to go around 10 or so and if they have one for me great, if not, I will just wait until they get more in. I have the original iphone, so I do get the $199 price.

  • 4 Posted by mattharris92 on Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am doing the same as you. I flip flopped between waiting and getting it about 5,000 times but then I said I just can't take it anymore and clicked buy on the apple.com store. Yep, a shiny new $500.00 32GB Black iPhone 3G S is going to be on my doorstep on the 19th. And around that same day my 16GB White 3G will be in the mail on its way to its lucky buyer for 300 or so I hope.

  • 5 Posted by lhonore06 on Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just sold my iPhone 2G on ebay 4 more then enough to get da 3GS on friday. Going to pre-order and have it deliver to my doorsteps. Although I will be impatient if the delivery guy show up too late.

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