Pre-ordering the iPhone 4 from Verizon and Apple
Right on time, iPhone 4 pre-orders went live early on Thursday morning for Verizon Wireless customers. We took both Apple and Verizon for a spin to see how each company is handling the pre-order process. We are happy to report that both Apple and Verizon are handling the pre-order process without flinching. Even after an hour, the two websites were up and running without any sign of overload. While both outlets were prepared, the choice of a 3 AM start time most likely cut down on the heavy traffic and helped them to handle any load.
Overall, the Apple pre-order was a smoother and faster process than Verizon. Because Apple is not the wireless carrier, the pre-order skipped over the selection of calling plans, data plans, accessories and insurance options. While you still have to choose these options, you can make your selections during the activation process. At that point, you will have your iPhone in hand, and you will be calm, cool and collected.
Most of the billing and shipping steps were the same between Verizon and Apple, but there were a few notable differences along the way. First, Apple only provided an option to upgrade an existing line, while Verizon lets you select from either adding a new line (credit check required) or upgrading an existing line. This is an important distinction for customers looking to add a line for a friend or family member. Also, customers buying the handset at the full retail price should note that Apple was selling the 16 GB and 32 GB iPhone 4 for US$50 less than Verizon.
If you purchased a Verizon iPhone in the wee hours of the morning, give us a shout in the comments. If you opted to sleep in, you can check out our gallery of the purchase process below.
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