Apple® Store 2020

iPhone 12

Last night, after dinner in the Makai Market food court in Ala Moana Center, there was a lot of time to waste before the next bus back to Waikiki. On impulse, a quick jaunt was made to the Apple® Store to peruse the new iPhone 12 models.

Well, the “super-duper corona” plan-demic has changed many aspects of shopping, and the Apple® Store has also adapted to those changes. There was a waiting line outside of about four people, this with only 20 minutes before closing. An appointment is now required to enter the store, and customers must be chaperoned around the store. Fortunately, there was a chaperone (read: salesperson) available at that moment.

First, a cranial temperature scan was made. Then, entry to the store must be facilitated with the assigned chaperone. Face masks are required. Only about two or three minutes was actually spent viewing the device. More time was devoted to asking about the process of trading in an old device and purchasing a new one. Yes, an appointment must be made. And, the process is somewhat more limited than before. New devices must now be set up by the purchaser. Even device-to-device set-up is now longer offered in-store. Yeah, that’s the “new normal.”

With that said, the new iPhone 12 is a nice device, although the latter is priced at $830 for the base model. The iPhone XR, now two years old, is ready to be replaced. The trade in amount will apply $250 credit. However, $580 is not “chump change.” The decision to purchase the iPhone 12 has already been made. The question is ... when?