While hundreds of customers are lined up at Apple's retail stores across the United States today for a chance to get their hands on an iPhone X, that doesn't appear to be the case in the states of Oregon and Washington today.

seattle iphone x
MacRumors has received multiple tips from readers who claim Apple's stores at University Village, Bellevue Square, Southcenter, and Alderwood in the Seattle area have turned away walk-in customers wishing to purchase an iPhone X since opening today.

At least five Twitter users have said likewise, including one at Pioneer Place in Portland, with store employees reportedly telling customers that iPhone X inventory is limited to those who pre-ordered the device on Apple's online store.

Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook said iPhone X would be available at Apple retail stores today starting at 8:00 a.m. local time, but he didn't clarify if all locations would be receiving stock in time for launch day. The answer would appear to be no.

Even where the iPhone X is available, supplies are likely extremely limited and going fast on a first come, first served basis. At some locations, customers have been lined up since early this week for a chance to purchase the device.

Apple forecasted that its revenue in the current quarter will be between $84 billion and $87 billion. Even the low end of that range would smash Apple's all-time record for revenue in any quarter, suggesting that iPhone X sales will be very strong.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was at Apple's Palo Alto store in California on Friday morning to celebrate the iPhone X launch, as he usually does for every iPhone launch, according to a video shared by CNBC moments ago.

Apple did not immediately respond to our request for comment about iPhone X availability in the Seattle area. We'll update this article if we hear back.

Update: A source who wishes to remain anonymous claims the iPhone X is not available for walk-in customers to purchase in Oregon as an anti-scalping measure, since it is a sales tax-free state. Washington is also affected since a reciprocity agreement generally allows Oregon residents to pay no sales tax in that state as well.

A handful of MacRumors readers and Twitter users have claimed the iPhone X is not available for walk-in customers in Delaware, which also doesn't charge sales tax. Alaska, New Hampshire, and Montana may also be affected as sales tax-free states, although Apple doesn't have any retail stores in Montana.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

_Refurbished_ Avatar
102 months ago
Instead of telling customers they didn’t have any, they were simply told “you’ll shoot your eye out”.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Boatboy24 Avatar
102 months ago
Glad to know since I am planning to play with the X in store today during lunch time. My packages are coming in 3 weeks. I don't like the store during launch day - too crowded.
Just back from playing with one in the Sprint store next to my office. I have to admit, I didn't miss the home button at all. And that screen!! I didn't pre-order, and am now having a bit of remorse.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
simonmet Avatar
102 months ago
I thought this was going to say “trio of stores in San Francisco Bay Area” because of that ballsy heist reported earlier!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hotsauce Avatar
102 months ago
I thought this was going to say “trio of stores in San Francisco Bay Area” because of that ballsy heist reported earlier!
I have this strange feeling that the Northwest allotment of iPhone Xs went to San Francisco.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
seatton Avatar
102 months ago
Glad to know since I am planning to play with the X in store today during lunch time. My packages are coming in 3 weeks. I don't like the store during launch day - too crowded.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BeefSupreme Avatar
102 months ago
I can see it from their point if it was a health and safety issue because even though Apple lines are pretty chill they cause alot of issues for neighboring stores if there are any, logistically speaking. I've seen lines looping through parking lots, in front of business doors etc. I guess this is how they pay their "dues" for being next to Apple and benefiting from insane amounts of traffic.

But Angela is trying to turn the stores into Burberry clones. IMO launching the Apple Watch at Maxfield is all you need to know about where her interest lie. Could you imagine launching the new iMac exclusively at a Best Buy in Los Angeles and no where else for a length of time?
Yeah I remember the maxfield thing. I'l bet those people were pissed when everyday they had apple customers lined up at their snooty store.

Just keep in mind. They are not apple stores. They are apple town centers.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Alleged iPhone 17 Pro Antenna Design

Two All-New iPhone 17 Colors Seemingly Confirmed

Monday August 25, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple will offer the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in a new orange color, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman made the claim in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, adding that the new iPhone 17 Air – replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – will come in a new light blue color. We've heard multiple rumors about a new iPhone 17 Pro color being a shade of orange. The ...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today announced its "Awe Dropping" iPhone-centric event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are a long list of products that are coming, but we thought we'd pull out five feature highlights to look forward to. That Super Thin iPhone - Apple's September 9 event will see the unveiling of the first redesigned iPhone we've had in years, ...
awe dropping event

Apple Event Announced for September 9: 'Awe Dropping'

Tuesday August 26, 2025 9:01 am PDT by
Apple will hold its annual iPhone-centric event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, according to an announcement that went out today. The event will start at 10:00 a.m., with select members of the media invited to attend. At the September 2025 iPhone event, Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, which includes an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. It...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Apple Event Logo Hints at Two iPhone 17 Pro Features

Wednesday August 27, 2025 6:36 am PDT by
Apple's logo for its upcoming September 9 event hints at two rumored iPhone 17 Pro features, including new color options and a vapor chamber cooling system. Of course, this is all just speculation for fun, as we count down the final days until the event. New Colors Last month, Macworld's Filipe Espósito reported that orange and dark blue would be two out of the five color options...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3: Four Key Design Changes Anticipated

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:05 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022 other than a shift from Lightning to USB-C, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will launch AirPods Pro 3 later this year, and apart from new features like heart rate monitoring, we're also expecting a few design changes. The fourth‑generation AirPods offer useful clues to Apple's design cues for ...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 12 New Features

Sunday August 24, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max should be unveiled in a few more weeks, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman corroborated a rumor that iPhone 17 Pro models will be "available in an orange color." Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are...