Roger Fingas
Apple has begun sending emails to people in the iPhone Upgrade Program, urging them to do "prep work" to be sure they can pre-order an iPhone 8 this Friday morning.
"Pre-order for iPhone 8 starts on 9.15," an email seen by AppleInsider reads. "Get all the prep work done now with the Apple Store app on your iPhone to save time at pre-order — when every minute counts."
Although November's iPhone X may divert some shoppers, many people are expected to crush Apple's website starting at 12:01 a.m. Pacific time on Friday, hoping to get an iPhone 8 delivered at the product's Sept. 22 launch. In the past, launch-day iPhone units have often run out hours or even minutes after the start of pre-orders.
The Apple Store iOS app may be the fastest way for iPhone Upgrade Program customers to check for eligibility, since it can automatically scan for a device's serial number and IMEI. The process is also available on the Web, but requires signing in with an Apple ID and/or entering numbers manually.
At the price of trade-ins and monthly fees, the Upgrade Program lets people switch to a new iPhone every year, covered by an AppleCare+ warranty. Because iPhones have become more expensive in general however, the minimum cost of the program has risen to at least $34.50 per month for a regular iPhone 8, and $39.50 per month for an 8 Plus.
While largely similar to the iPhone 7, the 8 is equipped with things like a faster A11 processor, Qi wireless charging, and camera improvements for augmented reality and better video shooting. Plus models not only have a dual-lens camera but access to a beta Portrait Lighting feature.
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10 Comments
Can you imagine the *rush* there will be on Carrier Websites as well? And they don't get nearly the same amount of new stock.
I think demand for the iPhone 8 is going to be very soft. It's a very minor upgrade from the 7, so a lot of people with 6S or 7 will not feel compelled to upgrade, and the iPhone X will pull all of the demand from the early adopter and more affluent demographics (Apple's traditional core demographics). Apple made a pretty serious strategic error by not investing more heavily in OLED production lines and going pretty much all in with iPhone X for new models. They will not be able to come close to meeting the enormous demand for the iPhone X (even at $1000) and will have relatively overall low sell-through numbers this Christmas quarter. Revenue will be somewhat offset by the higher ASP due to iPhone X price, but will still drop to some extent. The iPhone X story will look like the AirPods story played on a larger scale: everyone loves them and it will take at least a year to catch up with demand.
There is no obvious user functions which will drive the newest iPhones. AR is still a year away, and the built in neuronetworking chip is only about facial recognition. This time next year, it might be a different story, but unless iOS 11 will drive people to upgrade from older phones, the sale of new iPhones will be lackluster.
Can someone here who is already in the iPhone Upgrade Program comment on it?
I'm considering joining and would love to hear from someone already in the program (not a commentator).
I won't be one waiting to "crush" Apple's website. Oct 27th is the day for me. I will say though, I'm really digging that gold option on the iPhone 8 & im a little hesitant to give up Touch ID for Face ID