Should You Pre-order The iPhone 5 Or Buy It From The Apple Store? [Let's Talk]

Buster

You probably already know whether or not you're going to buy the iPhone 5 by now, but how are you going to buy it? John Brownlee published his excellent guide on how to pre-order the iPhone 5 the right way, but is pre-ordering the best way to go? Yes, it's the surest bet. If you pre-order early, you're guaranteed to get your iPhone 5 on September 21st.

Here's my dilemma though; my FedEx guy never shows up till 6pm, and during the iPad 3 launch there weren't any lines at the Apple Store after 11am, so I just walked in and bought the new iPad. I'm thinking that might be the case this year with the iPhone 5 too, but demand for the iPhone 5 is going to be higher than it was for the iPad 3. Do you think the lines at stores are going to be lower this year because everyone will pre-order? Which would you choose?

TheNickSalazar

I'm going to wait in line for the iPhone 5 for a variety of reasons. One, I'm buying it unlocked and out of contract, but I have AT&T. I talked to an Apple Store employee earlier today asking about the nano-sim, and no one in the store could answer how they would be converting those with older sim cards to the newer nano-sim cards. Pre-ordering it would render my unlocked iPhone 5 useless because I would have no method of activating it. However, if I waited in line on launch day, he assured me I would be able to get a new nano-sim and have everything transferred over. Also, I don't feel like waiting around all day for it to come in the mail when I could have a great time camping out with fellow Apple fanatics. But that's just my opinion. It's also something to think about to AT&T customers buying it at full price and having the same problem with the sim card situation that I am.

CalicoAvenger

I'm not eligible for upgrade, but I pre-ordered the 4-S and got it on Day1, no hassles with stores being cleaned out by scalpers before legit buyers had a chance. Would pre-order the 5 if I could.

SupaMac

My iPhone 4s was delivered by UPS. Is this unusual? Everyone keeps saying FedEx. (I'm in Virginia).

Also, will third-party stores have them in stock on launch day? If so, why not just go to RadioShack or BestBuy on launch day and avoid most of the lines.

robraden

For the iPhone 4, I preordered it on Apple.com to pick up in store on the day of launch. Big Mistake. I got to the store before 6AM and waited in line for hours. Apple did an excellent job with the line. It was orderly, not chaos, and the Apple Store had more employees than I've ever seen before. But still, there's no way a mall store could quickly handle a line that wrapped around the block before snaking through the mall. It was crazy, and it'll be worse this time. For the iPhone 4, I traded five hours in line at the mall for a day of waiting leisurely at home. This time, I'll preorder and wait for FedEx. I can't even imagine how long the lines will be for this launch, even by 6AM. Or 5AM.

jhurlbut

I've never had good luck pre-ordering. My 4S was over a week late and I ordered within 2 hours of when you could. I just walked into the Apple store for my iPad 3 and walked out with it on launch day. I DID get the last one in the config I wanted they had.

Myles Temple

I pretty sure pre-ordering is the best route...unless ya'll like standing in long lines and praying your gonna get the iphone 5...i pre-ordered my 4s last year and got it sent directly to my job...no hassles at all. Only downside is that you have to wait for it..but the iphone 5 is DEFINITELY worth it!

Michael Scivally

Well I'm one of the crazy ones that love to wait in line and celebrate and high five on launch day. I preordered the iPhone 4 with pick up in store. Had a great time hanging out over night with friends and other Apple Fans. With the iPhone 4S they did not have a pick up in store option. It had it's benefits also. Just kind of depends what you are in the mood for chaos or peace. If they offer pick up in store this time, I will go that route. If pre-orders are delivery only I will go that way to ensure I get my phone. Even being at the mall at 10:00p.m. the night prior, I was still past the 100 mark in line. I still like the benefit of knowing it's a sure thing, forgoing any FedEx driver accidents or mishaps. What ever you decide to do enjoy your new iPhone 5!

RaptorOO7

I will pre-order and enjoy it right away. I get it fans want to stand in line to say they were there, but honestly what are you in line for, more to the point why are you wasting your time in line. Waiting hours and hours to get something that could easily be delivered to your work or home is far more beneficial and easy. Mine is a pre-order.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

I pre-ordered my iPhone 4 and received it the day before it went on sale in stores. I also plan on pre-ordering my iPhone 5 at Best Buy just because I have a $50 credit with them if I upgrade my phone before the end of this year. I would recommend pre-ordering!

drmcross

I have just pre-ordered the iPhone 5 (as I did for the iPhone 4) but am still thinking I should have joined a queue. There's something brilliant about the experience of the day which is unique to apple and I can't help but feel I'm missing out a bit just waiting for the delivery guy to chuck a brown package at me. Guess it depends if you want the razzmatazz or not!

melabianca

I pre-ordered but it says iphone 5 will arrive on october 5th. long wait!!! i think i'll cancel and go to a store next week. no more lines, then, i hope. any idea?

jordymac5049

ATT wouldn't let me ship to an address other than my billing... so i pre-ordered at Wal-mart. Big mistake! The store manager called and said that they hadn't even got a shipment in today. Hope i get one before 10/10 when i need to send my 4 to Gazelle.