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Amazon: Sorry, But Some Xbox Series X Preorders Could Get Delayed to Dec. 31

'At this time, we anticipate that you will receive your Xbox Series X by 12/31 or before,' reads the notice from Amazon, which is upsetting buyers who pre-ordered the console.

 & Michael Kan Principal Reporter

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If you pre-ordered the Xbox Series X from Amazon, you may have received some bad news today. The e-commerce company has been notifying some unlucky customers that their shipments might not arrive until as late as Dec. 31. 

Amazon was supposed to begin delivering pre-orders tomorrow on Nov. 10 when the Xbox Series X and Series X launches. But according to buyers, the retailer has been sending out email notices about the long shipment delays, which could drag on for weeks. 

“We expect to ship your console in the coming weeks as we receive more inventory in November and December,” the message reads, which has begun circulating on social media. “At this time, we anticipate that you will receive your Xbox Series X by 12/31 or before.”

Back in September, Amazon had warned customers who pre-ordered the Xbox Series X that their units might not arrive on launch day. That was bad news for gamers hoping to take off Nov. 10 to enjoy the console. But probably no one imagined the delays would extend into December, and possibly past Christmas.  

Amazon declined to elaborate on the situation. But it appears the company or Microsoft may have overestimated the incoming supplies for the console, which is expected to be a major holiday shopping day gift.

Amazon is apologizing for the delay. In the same message, the company also notes the customer can cancel their order. 

The Xbox Series X is expected to be available for sale on launch day at other online retailers, including Best Buy, Walmart, Target and GameStop. So if you missed out on pre-orders, there's still a chance you can snag one tomorrow.

About Our Expert

Michael Kan

Michael Kan

Principal Reporter

My Experience

I've been a journalist for over 15 years. I got my start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017, where I cover satellite internet services, cybersecurity, PC hardware, and more. I'm currently based in San Francisco, but previously spent over five years in China, covering the country's technology sector.

Since 2020, I've covered the launch and explosive growth of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, writing 600+ stories on availability and feature launches, but also the regulatory battles over the expansion of satellite constellations, fights with rival providers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and the effort to expand into satellite-based mobile service. I've combed through FCC filings for the latest news and driven to remote corners of California to test Starlink's cellular service.

I also cover cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. In 2024 and 2025, the FTC forced Avast to pay consumers $16.5 million for secretly harvesting and selling their personal information to third-party clients, as revealed in my joint investigation with Motherboard.

I also cover the PC graphics card market. Pandemic-era shortages led me to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000. I'm now following how the AI-driven memory shortage is impacting the entire consumer electronics market. I'm always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send me tips.

The Best Tech I've Had:

  • My first video game console: a Nintendo Famicom
  • I loved my Sega Saturn despite PlayStation's popularity.
  • The iPod Video I received as a gift in college
  • Xbox 360 FTW
  • The Galaxy Nexus was the first smartphone I was proud to own.
  • The PC desktop I built in 2013, which still works to this day.

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