If you didn’t secure your iPhone 4 preorder last week, don’t expect to just go waltzing into an AT&T store on Thursday, June 24th (aka iPhone 4 launch day) and pick up one of Apple’s shiny, glassy-and-steel smartphones. AT&T reached out to us today to let us know that they won’t have any iPhone 4 retail units available for customers that don’t already have a preorder in place. The carrier is prioritizing inventory for preorder deliveries and in-store pickups, and says that the new Apple phone will be available to the general public on June 29th.
What’s the deal with AT&T giving preorder customers priority? Well, turns out that the initial rush of iPhone 4 pre-order customers was something like 10x times greater than what we saw with the 3GS. The flood of customers scrambling to secure their own Apple phone crippled the carrier’s eligibility check system, as Apple saw their inventory sell out in less than a day. To that end, AT&T has announced at they are committed to fulfilling all iPhone pre-orders before making any phones available to the general public.
This is how it’s going to break down on launch day:
- Preordered for home or business delivery: iPhone 4 will begin arriving this week for customers who preordered. We’ll send an email when each order has shipped.
- Preordered for store delivery: AT&T retail representatives will begin calling customers this week to let them know their new Apple phone is available for pick up in store.
- Retail purchase (no preorder): AT&T plans to have inventory – available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last – on June 29 in its retail locations, at www.att.com, and in business sales channels. As inventory sells out, AT&T will offer the convenient option of purchasing iPhone 4 and having it delivered to a home or business or an AT&T store. As always, customers will receive an email once their order is placed, and again when it ships.
If you’re in that last group of iPhone hopefuls, your best bet is to make your way to an Apple store on launch day and wait in line. We suggest getting there early – really, really early. We know some of you were hoping to avoid the massive lines at Apple stores by picking up your handset at an AT&T store, but that is no longer an option if you don’t have a preorder already in place. Worry not, though, you’ll be waiting with throngs of like-minded Apple fans, so you shouldn’t be too bored.
If you’re in the area, IntoMobile and Team will be at the Palo Alto Apple Store starting Wednesday to cover all the pre-launch and launch days festivities. If you can make it, come on down and hang out with us!