Target Begins Notifying Some Apple Watch Series 3 Pre-Order Customers That Shipments Will Be Delayed - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Target Begins Notifying Some Apple Watch Series 3 Pre-Order Customers That Shipments Will Be Delayed

Target customers this morning began pointing out on Twitter, through tipster emails, and in our forums that their Apple Watch Series 3 orders have been delayed, unfortunately mirroring similar events that plagued many Target pre-order customers for the Series 2 model last year. The affected users were originally promised a delivery window surrounding today's launch day, or soon after, and Target has now pushed some orders back by weeks, landing between October 10 and October 13 for a few customers.

target apple watch delay
Target hasn't officially yet commented on the shipping delays. All customers affected appear to have pre-ordered the Series 3 device on or around September 15 (the first date they were available to pre-order), and were subsequently given delivery estimates for today's launch or early next week. One customer has canceled their Target order and ordered the Apple Watch Series 3 from Best Buy, with a delivery estimate of next week on Tuesday, September 26.

Last year both Target and Best Buy delayed the orders of many customers' Apple Watch Series 2 devices, and both companies ended up offering affected users a $50 gift card to use at each respective retailer's physical or online store. If delays are widespread again this year, it's possible that Target will offer some kind of compensation for those suffering from Series 3 delays.

Target explained in 2016 that it was facing delays in receiving Series 2 models from Apple at the time, leading to inventory shortages and slipping delivery estimates. When and if Target comments on the matter, we'll update this article with any new information.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

apple watch series 3 design

Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch

Sunday November 1, 2026 3:34 am PST by
Apple has published a support document describing what to do if your Apple Watch continues to show time that's off by one hour after daylight savings time changes. "This incorrect time appears only on the Always On display when your wrist is down," says Apple. "When you activate the display by tapping it or raising your wrist, the time changes to the correct hour." To fix the issue, Apple says ...
apple watch s12 ultra 4

Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 Owners Report Skin Irritation

Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:02 pm PDT by
Some Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners have experienced unexpected skin irritation with the new models, according to reports on the MacRumors forums and Reddit. Affected users complain of a burning sensation and redness under the sensor area. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 measure heart rate every five seconds, and some people have wondered if that's the cause of the skin...
southern straps 3 1

MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps

Friday October 9, 2026 10:20 am PDT by
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Southern Straps to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a nylon band from Southern Straps to go along with it. Southern Straps is a California-based company that has been making high-quality bands for the Apple Watch since the device first launched in 2015, and the company's selection of bands offer a an...

Top Rated Comments

macduke Avatar
119 months ago
That huge red dot matches the Target logo nicely.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
119 months ago
Although this seems like Target logistics, it seems like like the Watch Series 3 (LTE in particular) is the high demand item for launch day.

The LTE doesn't seem worth the extra $70 + $120 year to your provider, but alot of folks don't seem to agree with me.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bbeagle Avatar
119 months ago
Target is a great place to go, as they discount Apple 5% if you use their Red Card. So I'll be saving $20 on a new Apple Watch.

You just can't count on any retailers having stock, save Apple themselves, on launch days.
[doublepost=1506102604][/doublepost]
I think many may have a corporate plan which will pay for all their data usage.
Others...well, they just have disposable income.
Others... actually have use cases for it. I'm one of those people who feel that carrying around a hunk of metal/plastic/glass in their pocket is a pain in the butt. I really don't use my phone for anything my watch can't do. When I want to do anything else, I use my tablet or computer. I rarely surf or do anything on my phone. It's just a necessary evil to carry around my phone so I'm connected.

I know battery life isn't here yet, but I'd love to never use my phone again. I can see texts on my watch, get phone calls, and read my emails on my computer at work or at home. I don't need to use twitter while I'm walking down the street.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BornAgainMac Avatar
119 months ago
Target should sell their Target logo as stickers for the Apple Watch to place over that Red Dot.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
119 months ago
You can add Best Buy to that list. Mine was showing as delivery for today as late as last night. But this morning I received an email saying it would be delayed until Oct 22 with no option to cancel the order. Not happy.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
119 months ago
How did this seriously happen two years in a row..
Because it's Target. Honestly though, if the Apple Watch is delayed coming from Target, they usually make it right and will compensate the customer for the inconvenience one way or the other. I think they are reputable given the circumstances.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
8 hours ago
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
10 hours ago
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
10 hours ago
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
11 hours ago
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
11 hours ago
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
12 hours ago
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
14 hours ago
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
14 hours ago
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
15 hours ago
Instagram's Edits Video Editor is Now Available on Mac
Instagram's Edits Video Editor is Now Available on Mac
15 hours ago
Prevent Siri and Search From Accessing Specific iPhone Apps
Prevent Siri and Search From Accessing Specific iPhone Apps
16 hours ago
Best Early Black Friday Deals on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo
Best Early Black Friday Deals on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo
17 hours ago
MacBook Pro PROLED XDR Reviews Are In: Is the Touchscreen Worth It?
MacBook Pro PROLED XDR Reviews Are In: Is the Touchscreen Worth It?
17 hours ago
Early Black Friday Accessory Deals at Amazon Include TVs, Headphones, and Charging Devices
Early Black Friday Accessory Deals at Amazon Include TVs, Headphones, and Charging Devices
18 hours ago
Apple Creator Studio App Updates Rolling Out, Starting With Logic Pro
Apple Creator Studio App Updates Rolling Out, Starting With Logic Pro
18 hours ago
Siri AI Waitlist Now Limited to Times of 'High Demand,' Says Apple
Siri AI Waitlist Now Limited to Times of 'High Demand,' Says Apple
20 hours ago
See Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro in Action
See Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro in Action
20 hours ago
MacBook Neo Shipments Expected to Double in 2027
MacBook Neo Shipments Expected to Double in 2027
20 hours ago
HomeView Code Suggests Future Support for AI Chatbot Apps, Anti-Spoofing Protection
HomeView Code Suggests Future Support for AI Chatbot Apps, Anti-Spoofing Protection
21 hours ago
Got an iPhone Duo on Launch Day? Tomorrow Could Be Your Last Chance to Return It
Got an iPhone Duo on Launch Day? Tomorrow Could Be Your Last Chance to Return It
22 hours ago
Apple Launching Five New Products Today
Apple Launching Five New Products Today
3 minutes ago
Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 256 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 256 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
1 day ago
Apps Can Now Try to Stop You From Canceling Subscriptions
Apps Can Now Try to Stop You From Canceling Subscriptions
1 day ago
'Super Mario Odyssey' Can Now Run on Apple TV Thanks to AI
'Super Mario Odyssey' Can Now Run on Apple TV Thanks to AI
1 day ago
How 'Resident Evil' Director Zach Cregger Uses His iPhone to Make Movies
How 'Resident Evil' Director Zach Cregger Uses His iPhone to Make Movies
1 day ago
HomePod Mini 2's Amount of RAM Confirmed
HomePod Mini 2's Amount of RAM Confirmed
1 day ago
Apple TV's '12 Days of Snoopy' Special Arrives November 13
Apple TV's '12 Days of Snoopy' Special Arrives November 13
1 day ago
Apple is Putting Employees on an AI Budget
Apple is Putting Employees on an AI Budget
2 days ago
Apple Releases Xcode 27.3 Beta With Three New Features
Apple Releases Xcode 27.3 Beta With Three New Features
2 days ago
Apple Will Check Public iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting in iOS 27.3
Apple Will Check Public iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting in iOS 27.3
2 days ago