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Apple Watch pre-orders: what we wanted vs. what we got

Oliver Haslam ∙ April 10, 2015

It's been quite the day for Apple today with not just one new product in its stores, but two. Both the new MacBook and the Apple Watch have arrived in stores, though the former isn't actually stocked for purchase and must be ordered online, and the latter is only available for pre-order at this time. Still, big day.

If you were one of the untold number who pre-ordered an Apple Watch today, then you probably had quite the experience. Pre-orders went live at the same time around the globe, whether that be anywhere between midnight and 3am in the States, to a much more reasonable 8am in the UK. As is always the case with these big online launches, things got messy, though it's clear Apple's servers held up considerably better than they have in the past.

The best course of action was to get all of your ducks in a row ready for go time, and if you used the iOS Apple Store app to do your ordering, then you probably got in and out before the website even went live again after its now customary downtime whenever a new product launches. If you got your order through in time, then you probably have an Apple Watch coming on day one. If not, well, it could be July. And that's not a joke.

With the vast majority of the iDB team placing orders for a range of Apple Watches today, we thought it might be fun to have a little recap not just of what we ordered, but how we found the process, and more importantly, whether we managed to order the model of Apple Watch we set out for. With stocks fluctuating and demand high, that wasn't always as simple as it may seem.

Let's get started.

First impressions: going hands-on with Apple Watch

Sébastien Page ∙ April 10, 2015

Apple opened up pre-orders for Apple Watch earlier this morning, and although these won't ship until April 24, the company has outfitted its store with hands on areas where you can try on Apple Watch, and get to have a feel for what it's like to hold the future on your wrist.

After making an appointment at my local Apple Store, I was able to try two different models, and play with one of the Apple Watches that were available for everybody to play with. These are my first impressions of Apple Watch after going hands on with a Stainless Steel with Leather Loop band, and a Space Gray aluminum with white sport band, as well as the various working units they had on display.

Tim Cook: Apple Watch pre-orders have been ‘great’

Cody Lee ∙ April 10, 2015

Tim Cook took time out of his day on Friday to visit his local Palo Alto Apple Store, to greet folks trying on the Apple Watch. The CEO shook hands, posed for photos, and fielded questions regarding Apple's highly anticipated wearable.

CNBC was on hand for the meet-and-greet and managed to speak with Cook for a moment about the Watch, and what he's seen in terms of initial response. Unsurprisingly, he says the company has been "impressed" with consumer enthusiasm.

AppleCare+ pricing for Watches revealed: $1,500 for extended Edition coverage + $1,000 per-incident fee

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 10, 2015

The full AppleCare+ extended warranty pricing for the Apple Watch is now live on the Online Apple Store. All Watch models include Apple's standard 1-year warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary support, but now these extended warranty plans are optionally available.

For the entry-level aluminum Apple Watch Sport, the AppleCare+ coverage costs $49. The mid-tier stainless steel Apple Watch models command a cost of $69 for the extended AppleCare+ coverage, while owners of the gold Edition models will need to fork out a whopping $1,500.

But that's not all.

Apple Watch selling out fast, shipping times slipping into June

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 10, 2015

At 12:01am PT Apple started taking pre-orders for the Apple Watch models through its online store and the Apple Store iOS shopping app. If you've managed to reserve your device for in-store pickup or home delivery on April 24, consider yourself lucky.

As MacRumors points out, pre-order shipping estimates for many Watch models have slipped to 4-6 weeks or later in less than six hours, with some models such as the 42mm Black Link Bracelet now set to ship in July. This means folks who just woke up and pre-ordered the device won't get it until late next month or June.

You can now pre-order your Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Heads up everyone, the Apple Watch is now available for pre-order. You can grab yours from either Apple's online store or the Apple Store app on your iPhone or iPad. Some of us are able to get through, while others aren't, so be patient. As usual, it seems the Apple Store app is your best bet.

As a quick reminder, the Apple Watch comes in three models: Sport, Apple Watch and Edition; two sizes: 38mm and 42mm; and with various bands. The Sport is aluminum and starts at $349, the Apple Watch is stainless steel and starts at $549, and the 18K gold Edition starts at $10,000.

Poll: will you be pre-ordering Apple Watch?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

With less than six hours until Apple Watch pre-orders open, we're curious if you'll be reserving one for yourself. Our January poll asked if you planned on getting the device and nearly half of the respondents said 'yes'. But that was more than three months ago, at a time when details about the gizmo were still scarce.

Since then, Apple's held a second media conference and released more details in the form of videos and various other tidbits. And now that you've read the reviews and watched hands-on videos of the wearable device in action, some of you may have changed your mind while others may still be on the fence about putting a Watch for your wrist. With that in mind, is your wrist ready for the Watch and will you be pre-ordering it come Friday 12:01am PT?

Scratch that: Apple Watch sapphire screen can take a beating

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 22, 2018

The iPhone 6, before it launched, was expected to feature an ultra-durable sapphire screen. So everyone wanted to get their hands on the material and put it through the ringer, to see how it would hold up in both every-day and not-so-every-day usage.

Well the Apple Watch, set to launch later this month, actually does have a sapphire screen, so naturally people are going to want to put it to the test too. In fact, the folks over at iPhonefixed already have, and they've uploaded a video of the torture session.

Have negative reviews changed your Apple Watch buying decision?

Oliver Haslam ∙ April 9, 2015

Yesterday saw the internet's top technology reviewers drop arguably their most important piece of the year. A day or two before the Apple Watch is made available for pre-order, the lid has been lifted on the reviews that the likes of John Gruber, Nilay Patel and Joshua Topolsky have been working on. The three I just mentioned, and more besides them, have been wearing an Apple Watch for over a week and have all published their reviews. Most have videos to go with them. They all have word counts running into the thousands.

If you were on the fence about ordering an iPhone come Friday's pre-order date, then the reviews will make for interesting reading. If you had already decided that the Apple Watch is not for you, they probably won't. Given the overall theme of the reviews I have read though, I can't help but wonder whether those who had already set their hearts on an Apple Watch may now have some thinking to do. That's because none of the reviews I have read have been glowing. In fact, some have been downright negative.

How to be prepared for Apple Watch pre-orders

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 19, 2019

After nearly 6 months of waiting, you will finally get the chance to check out the Apple Watch in person tomorrow. All official Apple Stores should have them on display, with representatives eager to answer your questions about the device and help you try one on.

Pre-orders for the Watch also open to the public tomorrow, starting at 12:01am Pacific time. So with that in mind, we thought it'd be a good idea to put together a quick roundup of everything you need to know before you decide to stay up all night to get your order in.

Apple Watch can tap into known Wi-Fi hotspots when your iPhone’s at home

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 9, 2015

From the onset, Apple's been telling us its Watch uses Wi-Fi (along with GPS) in your iPhone, but omitted that the gizmo can also take advantage of known Wi-Fi hotspots for limited functions when the paired iPhone isn't nearby or connected to the cellular network.

This nifty little feature lets the device be used standalone for the basic stuff like sending and receiving messages, drawings and taps. Just to be sure here, it still requires an iPhone to send and receive phone calls, run third-party apps and for much of its functionality, really.

The revelation was published as a side-note in Apple Watch reviews by both The Wall Street Journal and Yahoo Tech yesterday.

Apple warns of constrained Watch supply at launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 9, 2015

With less than 24 hours until Apple Watch pre-orders begin, the Cupertino firm has issued a media release advising customers to reserve their unit online because “we expect that strong customer demand will exceed our supply at launch”.

Moreover, the company will be now taking orders for the device exclusively online “during the initial launch period.”