Apple Stores to reopen in time for iPhone 12
Apple plans to start reopening some of its Houston-area stores as early as Sunday, based on schedules on its website, which will have them open in time to start selling the company’s newest iPhones.
The stores have been closed since late June due to the spike in coronavirus infections in the city and across the state. Some stores in other Texas cities, including Dallas and Austin, opened Oct. 1 on a limited basis, while Houston’s stores remained shuttered.
Apple announced its iPhone 12 line Tuesday, and pre- orders for the four smartphones began Friday. They will be available in stores, and delivered to those who bought online, on Oct. 23.
Apple also opened up pre- orders for the latest version of its iPad Air tablet on Friday.
There are seven Houstonarea Apple stores, and their reopening dates vary. The stores at Memorial City Mall, Highland Village Shopping Center and the Galleria will open on Sunday. Stores inWillowbrook, First Colony, Baybrook and The Woodlands malls will open Tuesday.
Store hours have been shortened, according to thewebsites. It’s not yet possible to book training or tech support sessions in Houston.
In other stores that have reopened around the state, services are limited to picking up online orders, scheduling tech support or having a one- on- one shopping session with a specialist. But an Apple spokesperson said theHouston stores will only be open initially for tech support appointments and pickup of online orders.