iPhone X Pre-Ordering: What You Need to Know Before Tomorrow

Be sure to visit your carrier and make sure you can upgrade. If you can’t, it’s most likely because you haven’t made enough payments according to your upgrade schedule.

Be aware of two payoff amounts on your account: the “upgrade early” and “full price” amount. The former is what you need to pay on your current device to qualify for an upgrade. Under this scenario, you’ll need to trade-in your old handset once you receive your iPhone X. When you pay the latter, the phone is yours to keep.

Carrier websites have been known to crash or slow down during Apple pre-order periods. Therefore, be sure to make the “upgrade early” payment before tomorrow.

If your wireless bill is 15 days or more past due, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to upgrade. Therefore, make sure your account is in good standing.

The iPhone X is the most expensive handset Apple has ever produced. Therefore, if you are planning on buying one in full, make sure your bank or credit card account is in good standing. You should also be aware of the possible transaction limits on your account.

Does your account allow you to spend $999 plus tax without prior authorization? Will this amount trigger your bank’s fraud department to take a closer look before authenticating the purchase?

Remember, Apple sends out new products according to when they were ordered. Getting your handset on launch day versus some time in late November could be the difference of placing an order at 12:02 a.m. and 12:07 a.m.

Most U.S. carriers now allow you to buy a smartphone with no money down. Under these plans, you pay for your device over time without added interest.

No money down doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay state tax on your device, where applicable. In most cases, Apple or your carrier will collect this tax when your order has been placed.

For example, I live in Pennsylvania where the tax is 6 percent. On the 256GB iPhone X ($1,149), I’ll need to pay nearly $70 up front even with no money down.

There’s no “best” way to order a new iPhone online. Generally speaking, however, it’s been my experience Apple.com offers the smoothest pre-ordering experience. It’s usually also the first site that goes live when pre-orders begin.

The official Apple Store app for iOS is also worth considering. I’d place carrier websites third on the list of places to check online.

As a good rule of thumb, bookmark the page for the iPhone X you’re planning to buy on Apple.com. You can also “heart” the iPhone X model you want on the Apple Store app. In both cases, you’ll have an easier time placing an order.

If you’re as big an Apple fan as most of our readers, you already know what time 12:01 a.m PDT is at your location. If you don’t, find out and then set your alarm accordingly.

Here on the East Coast, I always set my alarm for 2:50 a.m, which gives me 10 minutes to get ready. Deep sleepers might need more than one alarm to get up.

Are you a deep sleeper? Set more than one alarm.

Sometimes the best plans are interrupted. If you aren’t able to place an iPhone X order on Oct. 27 that comes with a delivery date of Nov. 3, prepare to stand in line before launch day. No matter how quickly iPhone X pre-orders sell out, Apple will make sure some handsets are available in stores on Nov. 3.

Standing in line (even for a few hours) isn’t the worst thing in the world to do. In fact, it can be fun. If you decide to go this route, bring a chair, prepare for the weather, and relax with your fellow Apple fans. Just make sure you’re one of the first in line. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Will you be pre-ordering an iPhone X tomorrow? Let us know below.