iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 4 Pre-Orders Now Preparing to Ship

The first iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 orders placed on the online Apple Store have shifted to "Preparing to Ship" ahead of an expected Friday, September 21 delivery date.

Many orders in the United States, Australia, the UK, and and other countries have changed status and should be shipping out to customers in the near future. Apple Watch Series 4 and iPhone XS orders that have shifted to "Preparing for Shipment" can no longer be modified or canceled.

iphonexsmaxpreparingtoship
Apple began accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max on Friday, September 14 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time. By the time a half hour had passed, many iPhone XS Max models had sold out and were no longer available for launch day delivery.

As of today, new iPhone XS Max orders will not ship out until October, but some models are still available for in-store pickup on September 21 in select stores. Retail stores are also expected to have supplies available for walk-in purchases on launch day.

Supplies of the smaller 5.8-inch iPhone XS are plentiful and that device remains available for Friday delivery.

After orders began shipping, Apple's shipment status information may not be updated right away. Over the course of the next few days, some customers in the United States may be able to track their shipments using track by reference features on the UPS and FedEx websites.

Update: This article has been updated to include the Apple Watch Series 4 as some orders in the United States recently began changing to "Preparing to Ship." Not all Apple Watch Series 4 orders have been updated at this time, while most iPhone XS and XS Max orders are in the preparing to ship phase.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
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Top Rated Comments

MacBebe Avatar
94 months ago
I’ll be getting the Xs Max to replace my X. I don’t need it but can’t resist the “want” obsession :D
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iapplelove Avatar
94 months ago
Congrats everyone.

Since I’m not upgrading this time around I’m gonna live through everyone’s excitement lol
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bruinsrme Avatar
94 months ago
They hit the stores on Friday.
They hit the door steps on the same day.
Perhaps a few will slip through for a Thursday deliver.

Waiting for the flight data to be posted.

There are a bunch of crazy nerds here that follow this crap.

I will say I get caught up in it and it makes the whole ordeal exciting
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roland.g Avatar
94 months ago
While I am looking forward to my Series 4, and that ‘new’ excitement, I am actually quite happy not to be part of the new iPhone ‘wait’ this year. I remember following on their tracker the progress of the UPS truck last year waiting for my X.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yanbellium Avatar
94 months ago
The change to "Preparing to Ship" only indicates that your payment has been approved and they are prepared to ship you a phone or watch.

It does not mean that your item is going to ship early. I dont understand the importance of this thread.
I don’t understand the importance of your comment. The purpose of this thread is to share in the excitement. If you’re going to be literal about this whole process find somewhere to post. Thank you!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Geert76 Avatar
94 months ago
Anybody else concerned about the massive typhoon about to hit Shenzhen?
yes ofcourse, you mean concerned for the people who live there....right?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)