True, it’s only for pick up but comparing it with my experience last year, this is completely different. People will try everything just to get it on launch day. I think most people who have this option for pickup and get it on launch day will choose over the shipping option.
Oh well I’ve never picked up.
Another thing to consider is that this time there are three tiers going for sale. Not everyone is willing to dish out 1000K so they’re waiting for the (much cooler colored) iPhone XR.
Last year there were two models announced. The SE wasn’t part of the line up.
*IF* the XR would have had the 512GB, I would have probably gone for the XR. Just because I LOVED that blue one.
My impression is that for the last three years there’s been a lot of reporting of sales being down. Which have not borne out.
Also, with the Max being larger in hand, a lot of my friends mentioned this morning that they wanted to hold the device before committing to a purchase. I myself have very small hands but I like large devices and I even used a Nokia 1520 for a while, with no problem. So....I personally know of people who want to touch the device.
Not everybody wants to pick up in stores. And not everybody wants to buy sight unseen. I myself didn’t buy my iPhone X at launch last year. I waited until I saw it and played with the gestures.
*EDIT: and no, I wouldn’t want to have to go to a store to pick it up. So it can’t be said that people would go to a store if it’s near. I can be at Reston or Tyson’s Corner or Pentagon City or Annapolis, but why???? Some people want store pick up. Others would rather have it delivered.