Tech News: Updated: iPhone 6S and 6S Plus pre-order: How to get Apple's new phones

Updated: iPhone 6S and 6S Plus pre-order: How to get Apple's new phones iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus pre-order

Update: iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus pre-order start at 12:01am PT/3:01am ET Saturday morning! The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus release is officially slated for September 25, but why not reserve your new phone ahead of time?

Apple unveiled the long-awaited iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, the phones that will take the candle from the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, on Wednesday, and almost immediately the questions were, when and where can I get them?

Fear not, gentle reader, we've got you covered.

Below you'll find every place you can pick up the new iPhones when they launch on September 25 plus iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus pre-order details and tips. We've also got the rundown on pricing and Apple's new iPhone Upgrade Program.

iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus price

A special note on pricing: Since most major carriers have done away with two-year contracts, which allowed for lower phone prices that factored in contract subsidies, the costs of the new iPhones reflect new monthly payment plans offered by carriers (and now, Apple).

Across the board the iPhone 6S costs $649, $749 and $849 for 16GB, 64GB and 128GB models, respectively, while the iPhone 6S Plus costs $749, $849 and $949 for the same size configurations. What you actually end up paying every month will depend on your carrier and your plan.

Here's a full iPhone 6S and 6S Plus price breakdowniPhone 6S and 6S Plus pre-order details

The new iPhones start life on the product cycle this Saturday, September 12, at 12:01am PT. That's when they go up for pre-order on Apple's website and through carriers directly. Demand will likely be high, as it usually is for new iPhone releases, though by the same token Apple has also done a decent job in recent releases at managing supply to meet demand.

If you really, really want a new iPhone, pre-ordering a good bet to secure your device early.

iPhone 6S and 6S Plus pre-order tips

Here's some pre-order advice from Mobile Editor Matt Swider: the best way to set yourself up for pre-order success is to download the Apple Store app on iOS. It tends to work best on an iPad, by the way. The app, Swider says, got him and two roommates into the pre-order stream more quickly than Apple's website. Because of the number of users coming on at once, the website has historically lagged.

When you purchase an iPhone from Apple, you have to enter in some information about your wireless account. You can enter it ahead of time and save for later so you're ready to go when the time comes.

To enter your wireless account info now head to the online Apple Store and select iPhone 6S along the top product choices. Click on Models & Pricing (an easy-to-spot blue button). There will be some blue linked text under the pre-order information, and it's through the linked option to "Get ready now" that you can enter and save your carrier information.

In the Apple Store App, you can click "Get ready to pre-order iPhone 6S" and enter your wireless account details. Select "Remember Me," and all the information will be stored so it's ready to go when you're ready to pre-order.

iPhone Upgrade Program and CarriersApple iPhone Upgrade Program

Also happening when pre-orders kick off: Consumers can reserve an iPhone for an in-store upgrade through the new iPhone Upgrade Program. The program lets customers get a new iPhone every year as long as they've made 12 months of payments.

The phone you buy through the program is unlocked, allowing you to choose your carrier. It also comes with AppleCare+, something not offered through individual carrier payment installment plans.

Payment plans are for 24 months, and are broken down like this:

iPhone 6S 16GB – $32.41/month

iPhone 6S 64GB – $36.58/month

iPhone 6S 128GB – $40.75/month

iPhone 6S Plus 16GB – $36.58/month

iPhone 6S Plus 64GB – $40.75/month

iPhone 6S Plus 128GB – $44.91/month

AT&T

AT&T is launching pre-orders on Saturday at 12:01am PT, and customers can head straight to att.com/iphone to order their phone. The devices go on sale in stores starting at 8am local time Friday, September 25.

Ma Bell is offering a number of incentives for those who buy a new iPhone on its network, including 15GB of data for $100 for those who get an iPhone on one of its Mobile Share Value plans, as well as other deals.

Sprint

Pre-orders start on September 12 at Sprint. The carrier hasn't indicated whether its stores will start selling the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus when they open on September 25, but don't be surprised if they do.

Interestingly, Sprint does have a 2-year-contract option, so customers can choose the traditional $199, $299 and $399 price tier, depending on the storage of their phones.

T-Mobile

The Uncarrier revealed some of its plans for the new iPhones the day after Apple announced them.
Yes, it's going to offer pre-orders starting just after midnight on Saturday, but it's taking a different route when it comes to pricing and plan options.

Customers can get an iPhone 6S for $20/month for 18 months through the carrier's JUMP! On Demand program, or a 6S Plus for $24/month for 18 months, both for $0 down.

T-Mobile also introduced a new Lifetime Coverage Guarantee, which means that as long as users have a new iPhone, if they aren't totally satisfied with the coverage they can get a full refund for the amount they spent in the first month of their plan. T-Mobile will also unlock the iPhone so they can switch to another carrier.

More coverage on T-Mobile's iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus planVerizon

Just like its cohorts, Verizon is offering iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S pre-orders Saturday. It too has kept mum on in-store availability, but we expect that to be revealed in the coming days. As with Sprint, you can choose a traditional two-year contract for a lower subsidized price on Verizon.

From Apple

Of course, you can order a new iPhone in all available configurations and on any of the above-listed carriers through Apple's online store directly. Or, you can sign up to reserve an iPhone 6S or iPhone 6S Plus through the company's iPhone Upgrade Program.

10 things you need to know about the iPhone 6S