Apple made iPhone X available to preorder at 12:01 a.m. Pacific today. Like many iPhone launches, it turned out a complete nightmare — and it left lot of fans feeling disappointed.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Apple’s biggest, most frustrating iPhone launch in years.
What went wrong with iPhone X launch?
Preordering an iPhone X was a complete mess for me.
I was fully prepared. I had already picked the model I wanted in the Apple Store app. I ensured my payment and shipping details were updated. And I got up early so that I was ready to go when preorders opened at 8:01 a.m. in the U.K.
But for me, they didn’t open at 8:01 a.m. Both the Apple Store app and the online store remained down long after others claimed their shiny new handset. The app finally let me in around 8:08 a.m., at which point, shipping times for all models had slipped to two to three weeks.
Others endured a similarly heartbreaking experience as the iPhone X launch turned into Apple’s most chaotic sellout in years.
Not everyone got a fair shot
Apple Store didn’t open on my Safari till 9 min after 3:00 AM! Already had the 2-3 week delivery. #iPhoneX pic.twitter.com/BvyBhQAuwY
— Hank Hoover (@HankHoover1230) October 27, 2017
9 minutes for the App Store to go online. 2-3 weeks delivery time literally the second it went live. Apple Business is goooood #iPhoneX
— Steve Johnston (@Stevejohnston01) October 27, 2017
What a shit show. #iPhoneX pre-order didn’t open up for me until 8 mins after it was suppose to & shipping had already dropped to 2-3 weeks
— Dustin Coffman (@DustinC0ffman) October 27, 2017
when you see someone else pre-ordering the #iPhoneX and the Apple store is busy pic.twitter.com/hQWTQrEcty
— '95 (@hiipowertonii) October 27, 2017
It’s not clear why it took so long for the store to appear for some customers. It’s certainly not that Apple prioritized certain markets, since I know a number of people in the U.K. — including Cult of Mac’s own Ste Smith — who were able to preorder before me.
Others had access to the store and were able to start the preorder process, but were then pushed back by carrier activation.
Anyone preordering an #iPhoneX get a reservation number with Apple saying they’ll email later to finish because they can’t reach carrier?
— Austin (@AustinCTweets) October 27, 2017
The email says “We have an #iPhoneX for you” and I have a reservation number, they just couldn’t reach the carrier. Hopefully I got one
— Austin (@AustinCTweets) October 27, 2017
It is believed Apple will have just 2 million to 3 million iPhone X units available at launch, which is why initial supplies will have sold out so quickly. That doesn’t explain why some customers could preorder before others, however.
It also doesn’t explain why many carriers were ready to take preorders before Apple.
Apple Store not up yet. Verizon launches 5 mins earlier. ATT with a queue… #iPhoneX
— Brian Tong (@briantong) October 27, 2017
Almost everyone on Verizon managed to get it early because they went live before apple or any carrier. Mine says the 17th
— Leann Sellers (@Leannbaybee) October 27, 2017
Did carriers make a deal with Apple?
Philip Berne has a theory on why carriers might be selling iPhone X first.
Conspiracy theory time: For about 15 minutes the carriers were the only place to buy an iPhone X.
— Third Degree Berne (@philipberne) October 27, 2017
Apple essentially asked carriers to eat the iPhone 8, a phone designed to underwhelm. In return I suspect they gave some exclusivity.
— Third Degree Berne (@philipberne) October 27, 2017
Some fans were still bemoaning iPhone X’s hefty price tag, a month after it was confirmed.
I'm confused where should I put the delivery address for my 256 GB #iPhoneX, when I sell my home for it?
— Abhishek Pratap (@Abhi5hekk) October 27, 2017
Got my 256 GB Iphone X. Had to sell my car and house but whatever. #iPhoneX
— Zach Woods (@Woods51_) October 27, 2017
People really willing to spend over a grand for a phone that will be irrelevant and cheaper next year? #iPhoneX pic.twitter.com/M0W1vwlCjd
— Fredrick (@freddyrobles29) October 27, 2017
@Apple As much as I love as I love Anything Apple Don’t You think 1000 is to much for #iPhoneX Why even bother with #iPhone8 #Cash #Toomuch
— Sam (@aquatic212) October 27, 2017
Frustrated fans suggested some things Apple could do to ease the pain (you know, other than fixing its app and online store so that everyone gets a fair shot at placing a preorder).
There should be an iPhone Pre-order emotional support group. This is some first world stressful ish #iphonex #apple
— Wes (@illmaticwes81) October 27, 2017
Some customers got lucky
Of course, there were plenty of customers who were lucky enough to bag an iPhone X for launch day delivery on November 3.
Secured my #iPhoneX for launch day delivery. This will be the longest week of my life.
— Nicholas John Arder (@NicholasArder) October 27, 2017
Me: cant believe I have to wake up at 3am to preorder the iPhone
Also me: order complete at 3:15, stays up till 4am reading #iPhoneX tweets
— Charlotte Gretter (@char_char_92) October 27, 2017
When it’s iPhone X pre-order and Mario Odyssey launch day and you grab both without a problem pic.twitter.com/NFhd1INVO2
— TSSZ (@tssznews) October 27, 2017
Me thinking about this impulse purchase I’m already regretting but also very happy with. #iPhoneX pic.twitter.com/3CCVhFO926
— Daniel Preda (@MisterPreda) October 27, 2017
Did you preorder your iPhone X in time?
Were you one of the lucky ones? Did you secure an iPhone X for November 3 delivery, or will you be waiting longer? Let us know your experience down in the comments!
