The preorder period for Apple’s iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus devices, as well as its Apple Watch Series 3, has officially started. Not surprisingly, it appears that the demand is comfortably outpacing the supply. The iPhone 8 models and the latest version of Apple’s smartwatch are supposed to be made available next week, specifically on September 22nd, but as recently reported by CNET, the shipping schedule of specific editions of the iPhone 8 devices are now listed as one to two weeks. As for the Apple Watch Series 3, the delivery date of certain versions of the LTE enabled model is now indicated as three to four weeks.
Apart from Apple itself, various wireless carriers in America, plus retail giant Best Buy, are now also starting to accept preorders for this year’s iPhone 8 and Apple Watch offerings. Despite the changes in terms of shipping and delivery dates on Apple’s side, there were no reports so far of shipping delays among mobile operators and Best Buy.
What about the iPhone X? Well, the device is not made available for preordering yet, at least until October 27th, with delivery dates to commence by November 3rd later this year. Still, many industry watchers are fully expecting the much pricier iPhone X to be more of limited supply as compared to the iPhone 8 models.
Now for the Apple Watch Series 3. Much has already been discussed about how its LTE enabled variant will do wonders in making wearable devices more accepted among mobile users around the world. But for those actually planning to purchase the smartwatch, the most important question right now is how much will buying one cost, including the price for having a unit connected to a cellular plan.
All the Big Four mobile operators in the United States -- namely Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint -- will be charging an additional ten bucks a month for every Apple Watch Series 3 added to an existing plan. It bears noting, however, that T-Mobile’s deal is limited to 3G speeds only (that is, 512 kbps). For T-Mobile subscribers who want to use their Apple Watch on a 4G network, they will have to pay more. This may be a bummer for some Apple fans. But a spokesperson for T-Mobile has kindly pointed out that 3G speeds is pretty fast already for an Apple Watch. But if customers really want to experience LTE speeds, they better be prepared to shell out another $10 a month (on top of the first ten bucks monthly). UPDATED: CEO John Legere has just tweeted that the Apple Watch Series 3 on T-Mobile’s network will be enjoying full 4G LTE speeds, after all.
