Apple Now Offers Free Next-Day Delivery for U.S. iPhone X Orders

Just because you’re a last-minute shopper doesn’t mean that you can’t give the gift of an Apple flagship this holiday season. Thanks to improving iPhone X shipping estimates, you might be in luck.

Starting today, Apple is now offering free, next-day deliveries for most U.S. iPhone X orders made before 3 p.m. local time.

According to Apple’s online store, the free next-day shipping will last through Friday, Dec. 22. Yes, that means you have just about five days to order an iPhone X to get one in time for Christmas (depending on how Apple’s supply holds up, of course).

The next-day delivery is being quoted for all configurations, with one current exception: the SIM-free, 64GB model in the silver finish, which has an estimated delivery date of two to four days. Of course, that means if you order that model before 3 p.m. Monday, you could still receive the device before Christmas. As orders continue to be made, next-day delivery availability may change for other models, too.

If you live close to a brick-and-mortar Apple Store, the company is also offering free same-day pickup for iPhone X orders and other devices, based on availability.

Apple is also offering next-day delivery for iPhone X orders in the United Kingdom. And in some other countries, shipping estimates appear to be short enough where a before-Christmas delivery could still be possible.

The fact that Apple can offer the rapid delivery for its flagship iPhone suggests that it’s done away with most if not all of its production issues. At this point, it seems that Apple has achieved supply-demand equilibrium for the iPhone X — a device that has experienced “off the charts” demand, according to the company.

When the iPhone X initially launched, shipping estimates quickly slipped to 5 to 6 weeks. Gradually, those estimates have improved, from an estimate of a few days just last week to this week’s next-day delivery availability.

Today’s shipping estimates are a far cry from previous market expectations. Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities originally predicted that it would be extremely difficult to get an iPhone X until next year. That’s no longer the case, obviously, and Kuo later attributed the increased supply to better-than-expected production of the flagship.

We won’t know how well the iPhone X did this holiday season until Apple releases its fourth-quarter earnings reports next year. But the company has released earnings guidance of $84 to $87 billion. That suggests that the smartphones sales will be strong through the holiday.

If you’re looking to get a less expensive iPhone model for a friend or loved one, Apple typically offers next-day delivery for all in-stock iPhones and some other devices. That means you’ll be able to get certain Apple Watch models, or the iPhone 8, 8 Plus or SE, in time for Christmas, too.