The world finally received its first official look at the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, Apple's 2018 suite of smartphones, on Wednesday, Sept. 12. If you're someone looking to get their hands on one, two, or three of these new iPhones as soon as possible, you'll need to know all of the important dates so you don't end up missing out to others ahead of the line.
The XR, XS, and XS Max are tempting for all to preorder and buy immediately since they're the first devices to have Face ID instead of Touch ID built in outside of Apple's preliminary go with the iPhone X. But before we even get to the preorder and release dates, you'll want to make sure you're eligible to leave your current iPhone or Android device behind and buy the latest and greatest.
Release Date: Sept. 21 & Oct. 26
Unlike last year's iPhone X, which wasn't released until a month and a half after it was announced, the iPhone XS and XS Max will launch on Friday, Sept. 21. However, the iPhone XR won't be available until Oct. 26. Following tradition, the new iPhones won't just be available at Apple Stores, so these dates most likely apply to other retail and carrier locations as well. Here is a complete list of stores — as well as links — for where you can pick up a new phone on Sept. 21 or Oct. 26.
- Apple Stores
- AT&T
- Best Buy
- O2 (UK)
- Sprint
- T-Mobile
- US Cellular
- Verizon Wireless
- Vodafone (Australia)
- Vodafone (UK)
Preorder Date: Sept. 14 & Oct. 19
The best way to secure an iPhone without waiting in line in person on the day of release is to preorder one. You'd better act fast, however, because preorders for the new iPhone XS and XS Max go live this Friday, Sept. 14, and unless you're one of the first to pull the trigger, they could sell out faster than you can click or tap "preorder." The new iPhone XR starts preorders on Oct. 19. (Make sure you know what size you want for sure.)
Just as with buying, preorders are not limited to just Apple's website. A number of other vendors will be happy to let you preorder an iPhone, and will ship your choice to you when the iPhone becomes available. Here are your preorder options:
- Preorder from Apple
- Preorder from AT&T
- Preorder from Best Buy (cellular plan required)
- Preorder from O2 (UK)
- Preorder from Sprint
- Preorder from Target (cellular plan required)
- Preorder from T-Mobile
- Preorder from US Cellular
- Preorder from Verizon Wireless
- Preorder from Vodafone (Australia)
- Preorder from Vodafone (UK)
- Preorder from Walmart (cellular plan required)
Note: If you're on the iPhone Upgrade Program through Apple, make sure to check out the Apple Store app to get preapproved for the iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max so you can be among the first to preorder your device.
How Much Do These iPhones Cost?
With three new iPhones releasing this year, each with models of varying internal storage, keeping track of pricing can be a bit tricky. If you get a bit confused, just refer to the list below to see your options:
- iPhone XR, 64 GB — $749
- iPhone XR, 128 GB — $799
- iPhone XR, 256 GB — $899
- iPhone XS, 64 GB — $999
- iPhone XS, 256 GB — $1,149
- iPhone XS, 512 GB — $1,349
- iPhone XS Max, 64 GB — $1,099
- iPhone XS Max, 256 GB — $1,249
- iPhone XS Max, 512 GB — $1,449
Apple Programs Available
To finance your iPhone through Apple, you'll be signing up for the iPhone Upgrade Program. This model allows you to break up the cost of your iPhone into smaller, monthly payments, financed by Citizens One. Not only that, but it allows you to upgrade your iPhone before you've paid it off completely.
If you want to upgrade your iPhone every year, your iPhone's cost will be split up over the course of 24 months. After at least six months of ownership, you can upgrade the iPhone so long as you've made at least 12 months worth of payments (50% of the total cost). You also have to be in good standing with the bank as well as maintained AppleCare+ for the entirety of the loan.
Prefer buying your iPhones outright from Apple? Consider their Trade-Up Program, which gives you money in exchange for your old devices towards a new iPhone. We'd recommend comparing Apple's quote to eBay, however, since the latter typically nets you a better payout.
Carrier iPhone Upgrade Programs Available
- AT&T: Like the iPhone Upgrade Program, AT&T Next plan chops your cost over 30 monthly installments and lets you upgrade to a newer iPhone after 80% is paid off, while their Next Every Year plan is 24 monthly payments, with an upgrade to a new device after 50% is paid off.
- Sprint: The iPhone Forever plan lets you lease a new iPhone over the course of 12 monthly payments, then trade it in for the latest iPhone model upon release. If you don't upgrade after 12 months, the plan runs for eighteen. After that, you can either pay the difference to own the iPhone or keep up monthly payments until the device is paid off.
- T-Mobile:Jump! On Demand breaks up your cost over 18-months. After that time, you can either pay the remaining balance on your iPhone or trade it in and "jump" to another. You can also swap it for another iPhone anytime during those 18 months, up to 3 times per year, with no additional costs.
- US Cellular: The Early Upgrade Program lets you pay for a new iPhone over either 20, 24, or 30 months. You can swap your device after 60%, 75%, or 80% has been paid off, respectively, and start a new plan with a new iPhone.
- Verizon Wireless: They require you to pay off at least 50% of your iPhone bill before upgrading to a newer iPhone each year.
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Cover image via Apple
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