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The Skinny On Where And When To Get The iPhone 3GS

If you don't care about upgrade fees and want yourself some of that hot new iPhone 3GS action come June 19, here's what you need to know if you want to score.

The Phone 3GS goes on sale Friday, June 19. Apple stores will be opening at 8 AM in their respective time zones on that day for customers wishing to buy the new device.

Apple customers can also choose to pre-order the iPhone 3GS via Apple's Web site for delivery to your home/office. Apple says online pre-orders will be delivered on June 19...or later. It makes no guaranties that the iPhone 3GS will actually be delivered on the 19th. If you're on a family-plan, don't bother with Apple, it can only handle single line activations. You can also pre-order online and pick up the iPhone 3GS at the Apple Store on June 19.

I chose this route. After I finished making my reservation (I didn't have to pay), Apple said, "Thanks for reserving your iPhone. When you arrive at the Apple Retail Store, talk to a Concierge in an orange shirt. From there, we’ll help you complete your purchase."

Apple doesn't specify if those who pre-order will be able to wait in a separate line, and it also didn't guarantee that one would actually be available for me when I get there.

You can choose to skip Apple in favor of AT&T if you wish.

AT&T is also accepting pre-orders online and at its 2,200 retail sites. Like Apple, AT&T says orders will be processed to arrive on June 19, but because it is limited to a first-come, first served basis, it is not guaranteeing that the iPhone 3GS will indeed be delivered on the 19th.

If you pre-order at an actual store, your chances of scoring are better. AT&T stores will open at 7 AM for pre-ordered iPhone 3GS's only. AT&T stores will open at 8 AM for those who choose not to pre-order a phone. AT&T says that it will have two separate lines, so that if you've pre-ordered an iPhone 3GS, you won't have to wait with the rest of the masses.

Based on my experiences the first two launch days, I'd highly recommend you pre-order from Apple and get there early. Apple stores will have far more units available compared to AT&T stores.

[via Ars Technica]

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