iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Launch Day: What to Expect

Thursday September 18, 2014 4:09 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will launch in the United States tomorrow, with Apple retail stores, carrier stores, and several major retailers offering the two devices for sale.

We've gathered up a list of U.S. locations that will be selling the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, listed below, along with general opening times. Customers hoping for an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus are encouraged to call their local stores for specific information on opening times and potential stock.

- Apple retail stores - 8 a.m local time
- Verizon Wireless - 8 a.m. local time (Not all stores are accepting walk-up purchases, and opening times will vary)
- AT&T - 8 a.m. local time
- T-Mobile - 9 a.m. - 10 a.m local time, but opening times vary
- Sprint - 8.a.m local time
- RadioShack - 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. local time, but opening times vary
- Best Buy - 8 a.m. local time
- Sam's Club - 8 a.m. local time
- Target - Availability will vary
- Walmart - Availability will vary
- Staples - Availability will vary

At Apple Store locations, procedure will be slightly different than it has in past years as Apple will also be handing out iPhone 6 and 6 Plus units to customers who opted for Personal Pickup when pre-ordering online last week.

All customers will be directed to wait in one line until approximately 5 a.m, at which point they will be split into two lines: one for Personal Pickup and one for customers hoping to purchase a device on launch day.

Apple will hand out refreshments like coffee and water, as it does every year, and ahead of the store's opening, customers in the walk-in line (who did not pre-order) will be given a digital Reservation Pass (sent via email or SMS) to guarantee them an iPhone. This year's Reservation Passes replace the paper cards that have been handed out in past years.

Walk-in customers planning to wait in line should aim to arrive as early as possible. Many people hoping to get their hands on an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus are already waiting in line across the United States, and will wait through the night. According to multiple sources, supplies of the iPhone are expected to be low, with the iPhone 6 Plus being in extremely short supply.

newyorkline

Line at 14th Street Store in New York City, as of 2:30 PT.

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are already on sale in Australia, and initial reports have suggested that supplies of the iPhone 6 Plus are indeed constrained. According to one GeekWebGuides reader, many stores in Melbourne, Australia received only one iPhone 6 Plus unit.

Apple employees in Australia giving an iPhone to the first customer in line

As for customers who pre-ordered and plan to do Personal Pickup, arriving early is also generally recommended as the pickup line can get long as well.

Customers who pre-ordered early and selected at home shipping will also begin receiving their devices on Friday, September 19, with most shipments listing guaranteed delivery by the end of the day. GeekWebGuides readers who are expecting shipments can join in on several threads in our forums, where readers are tracking their shipments and order statuses:

- The "I just bought/ordered/shipped/received my new iPhone 6/6 Plus" thread
- iPhone 6 & 6 Plus Sprint Pre-Order Thread!
- T-Mobile.com preorder thread
- ATT Pre-order status
- VZW Order Status Thread
- UK iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Thread
- Apple.com Pre-order thread
- iPhone 6 Launch Meetups

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

Patriot24

158 months ago

I have to say, I find it a bit pathetic that people have nothing better to do with their lives than wait overnight or in line for hours just for a phone. This isn't some miracle, it's just a phone. When the first iPhone came out, I could understand. It was an amazing new never seen before product. "we added a larger screen, a better camera" (people rush to get it line) Similar situation with the iPad.. Can't see any reasonable person waiting for a watch though.. Don't people have a social life or a job, or something to do?

I waited once for 2 hours for my MacBook Pro 4 years ago on tax free weekend. I was then told if I had purchased online, I still could have avoided sales tax. That's my regret. That was when I has 14 and only had a paper route. Now I have a real job.

Every year these posts come out, and every year they're complete B.S.

For many people it is a hobby. If that's what they want to do, who cares? There are a lot worse things one could be doing with their time, like belittling others on a forum because they can't understand how someone might want to live differently than them.

Most of the people in line probably make more money than you, which is why they're in line to get their 128GB Space Gray iPhone 6+ off contract. Don't mistake free time for lack of education or ability.

Waiting in line isn't my cup of tea either, but I'm not going to belittle anyone for it. Neither should you.

Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Moto G

158 months ago

"What to expect":

Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jclo

158 months ago

I have to say, I find it a bit pathetic that people have nothing better to do with their lives than wait overnight or in line for hours just for a phone. This isn't some miracle, it's just a phone. When the first iPhone came out, I could understand. It was an amazing new never seen before product. Similar situation with the iPad.. Can't see any reasonable person waiting for a watch though.. Don't people have a social life or a job, or something to do?

I waited once for 2 hours for my MacBook Pro 4 years ago on tax free weekend. I was then told if I had purchased online, I still could have avoided sales tax. That's my regret. That was when I has 14 and only had a paper route. Now I have a real job.

You're not fooling anyone, Samsung CEO Jong-Kyun Shin

Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)

rydewnd2

158 months ago

Am I the only one perfectly happy with a 4s that I can actually carry in my pocket?

Yes you are

Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ouimetnick

158 months ago

I have to say, I find it a bit pathetic that people have nothing better to do with their lives than wait overnight or in line for hours just for a phone. This isn't some miracle, it's just a phone. When the first iPhone came out, I could understand. It was an amazing new never seen before product. "we added a larger screen, a better camera" (people rush to get it line) Similar situation with the iPad.. Can't see any reasonable person waiting for a watch though.. Don't people have a social life or a job, or something to do?

I waited once for 2 hours for my MacBook Pro 4 years ago on tax free weekend. I was then told if I had purchased online, I still could have avoided sales tax. That's my regret. That was when I has 14 and only had a paper route. Now I have a real job.

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

troy14

158 months ago

Am I the only one perfectly happy with a 4s that I can actually carry in my pocket?

You can carry the 5S around in your pocket as well :roll eyes:

Edit: I should mention I highly recommend upgrading from the 4S to a 5 or better the 5S. The 5S is incredible and if I wasn't making money off my 5S to get the 6 I would have no problem keeping the 5S.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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