Apple Watch Sold Out in Less Than 6 Hours as Shipping Times Slip on All Models

Apple has officially sold out of Apple Watch stock to be delivered within the April 24 launch day timeframe, as shipping times for all models have slipped to 4-6 weeks or later less than 6 hours after pre-orders started at 12:01 AM Pacific today. Apple Watch Sport models were the first to sell out, with delivery estimates shifting to 4-6 weeks, and then June, on the Apple Online Store in the United States.

Apple Watch Trio
The stainless steel Apple Watch retained fairly better shipping estimates after the pre-order window opened, with most models available to ship in 4-6 weeks after the first hour of availability. The 38mm Stainless Steel Apple Watch with Black Classic Buckle was the last model to maintain its original April 24th to May 8th shipping time, finally slipping at approximately 6 AM Pacific.

It appears that prospective buyers of the Apple Watch Edition will have a difficult time getting their hands on the 18-karat gold watch before summer, as shipping estimates for those models slipped to June-August almost immediately after pre-orders became available. Apple Watch Edition stock will also be limited to select Apple Stores in the United States and other launch countries.

Apple confirmed on Thursday that it expected Apple Watch demand to exceed supply upon launch, although it is unknown how many devices the company made available for pre-orders. Multiple reports in recent weeks claimed that Apple Watch stock would be limited at launch, possibly due to manufacturing delays or, as some critics suggest, an attempt to generate artificial hype for the wrist-worn device.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

RichTF Avatar
119 months ago
Do we really have to play this game every time there's a new Apple product?

"It won't sell."

… product sells out in hours …

"Apple are deliberately holding supply back."

… sales figures show they sold a metric crapton …

"It's only the loyal fanboys that bought them."

… next quarter shows sales growth …

"We've reached saturation point."

… continued sales growth …

… repeat for the next X years …

*sigh*
Score: 164 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
119 months ago
I doubt they truly sold out. Its more likely Apple is holding back supply to create demand.
Scarcity effect. Marketing 101.
More silly BS after every Apple product launch. MacRumors 101.
Score: 92 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Derekuda Avatar
119 months ago
I doubt they truly sold out. Its more likely Apple is holding back supply to create demand.
Score: 56 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac21ND Avatar
119 months ago
Scarcity effect. Marketing 101.
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ZCT Avatar
119 months ago
I don't really understand what draws so many people to this forum just to post anything from sarcastic hate thru angry get off my lawn fist shaking.

I especially don't understand why so many are desperately hoping and predicting a flop for this product.

If Apple do well with this, they will raise lots of money to help them make Apple products you do want to buy. No one is making anyone buy the Apple Watch.

Just because YOU don't want one, doesn't mean that the next person who does want one is an idiot.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JackANSI Avatar
119 months ago
Lack of stock does not indicate strong demand...
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

5

Apple Event Live Blog: New iPad Pro, iPad Air, and More

Tuesday May 7, 2024 6:33 am PDT by
Apple's "Let Loose" event kicks off today at the unusual time of 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and we're expecting to see an iPad-focused event with new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, updated Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard accessories, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
f 7ba5b5b668dd68b7179a599305cff6b117ef35d1

Apple Announces New iPad Pro With M4 Chip, OLED Display, and More

Tuesday May 7, 2024 7:15 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled redesigned iPad Pro models featuring the M4 chip, Ultra Retina XDR OLED displays, a nano-texture display option, and more. The new iPad Pro offers a considerably thinner design and slightly larger 11- and 13-inch display size options. The 11-inch model is 5.3mm thick and weighs less than a pound, while the 13-inch model is just 5.1mm thick and weighs a quarter pound less ...
iOS 17 All New Features Thumb

Apple Says iOS 17.5 Coming 'Soon' With These New Features for iPhones

Monday May 6, 2024 7:33 am PDT by
Apple today announced that iOS 17.5 will be released to the public "soon," following over a month of beta testing. While the software update is relatively minor, it does have a few new features and changes, as outlined in the list below. "The new Pride Radiance watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpapers will be available soon with watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5," said Apple, in its...
f 157980180c661f30ff9611287c90241baf30faff

Apple Announces Redesigned Magic Keyboard for New iPad Pro Starting at $299

Tuesday May 7, 2024 7:39 am PDT by
Apple at its "Let Loose" event today announced a new Magic Keyboard for the latest iPad Pro models, with a thinner, lighter design. Apple says the Magic Keyboard has been redesigned to be thinner and lighter, while maintaing the same floating design. Two colors are available that match the new iPad Pro. New features include a function row with screen brightness controls, an aluminum...
5

Apple Event This Week Expected to Last 'About 35 Minutes'

Sunday May 5, 2024 3:13 pm PDT by
Apple will be holding its first event of the year this Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time, with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube. How long will the event be? In his newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the video will have a runtime of "around 35 minutes." Apple is expected to announce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, along with updated Apple Pencil...
iPhone 15 Colors yellow

'iPhone 17 Slim' With Smaller Display Rumored to Launch Next Year

Monday May 6, 2024 9:14 am PDT by
While the iPhone 16 series is still months away from launching, an early rumor about an all-new iPhone 17 model has now surfaced. In a research note with investment firm Haitong this week, analyst Jeff Pu said Apple is planning a so-called "iPhone 17 Slim" model that would replace the Plus model in the lineup. Pu said this model will feature around a 6.6-inch display, a slimmer design, an...
iOS 18 Apple Music Messages and Notes Feature 1

iOS 18 Rumored to Add New Features to These 16 Apps on Your iPhone

Tuesday April 30, 2024 10:44 am PDT by
Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10, and new features have already been rumored for many apps, including Apple Music, Apple Maps, Calculator, Messages, Notes, Safari, and others. Below, we recap iOS 18 rumors on a per-app basis, based on reports from MacRumors, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and others: Apple Maps: At least two new Apple Maps features are...