iPhone 4S preorders sell out in Hong Kong after 10 minutes
After becoming available for preorder in Hong Kong last Friday, the iPhone 4S sold out almost immediately, once again demonstrating Apple's continued success in China.
Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities said his checks with sources indicated iPhone 4S preorders sold out in their first 10 minutes of availability in Hong Kong on Friday. The iPhone 4S will become available in Hong Kong and 14 other countries this Friday.
"In our view, this is a very positive sign for iPhone 4S demand in Greater China has Hong Kong represents the first entry of the new smartphone in the rapidly growing region, and we expect the 4S to reach Mainland China in December," White said in a note to investors on Monday.
"We believe this rapid sell out will rest concerns surrounding the uptake of the iPhone 4S in the Greater China region that were driven by the limited language capability of Siri, which did not launch in Mandarin or Cantonese."
Apple's voice recognition technology is one of the major new features found in the iPhone 4S, though Siri currently remains labeled "beta" software. Currently Siri only understands English from the U.S., U.K. and Australia, as well as French and German, though Apple has promised that it will support additional languages in 2012, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian and Spanish.
A strong start for the iPhone 4S in China is particularly good news for Apple, as the nation of over a billion people has become an important part of the company's continued growth. In Apple's September quarter, Greater China accounted for $4.5 billion in revenue, which represented 16 percent of the company's total sales.
To put the numbers in perspective, Apple's revenue in China was up 270 percent year over year. And in the company's 2009 fiscal year, China represented just 2 percent of Apple's revenue.
In addition to Hong Kong, the iPhone 4S will laso launch this Friday in South Korea, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Malta, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Poland, Portugal, and Romania.
Apple executives have already publicly said that they expect to sell more iPhones than ever in the current holiday quarter. The iPhone 4S already got off to a record breaking start, with 4 million units sold in its first weekend alone.
Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities said his checks with sources indicated iPhone 4S preorders sold out in their first 10 minutes of availability in Hong Kong on Friday. The iPhone 4S will become available in Hong Kong and 14 other countries this Friday.
"In our view, this is a very positive sign for iPhone 4S demand in Greater China has Hong Kong represents the first entry of the new smartphone in the rapidly growing region, and we expect the 4S to reach Mainland China in December," White said in a note to investors on Monday.
"We believe this rapid sell out will rest concerns surrounding the uptake of the iPhone 4S in the Greater China region that were driven by the limited language capability of Siri, which did not launch in Mandarin or Cantonese."
Apple's voice recognition technology is one of the major new features found in the iPhone 4S, though Siri currently remains labeled "beta" software. Currently Siri only understands English from the U.S., U.K. and Australia, as well as French and German, though Apple has promised that it will support additional languages in 2012, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian and Spanish.
A strong start for the iPhone 4S in China is particularly good news for Apple, as the nation of over a billion people has become an important part of the company's continued growth. In Apple's September quarter, Greater China accounted for $4.5 billion in revenue, which represented 16 percent of the company's total sales.
To put the numbers in perspective, Apple's revenue in China was up 270 percent year over year. And in the company's 2009 fiscal year, China represented just 2 percent of Apple's revenue.
In addition to Hong Kong, the iPhone 4S will laso launch this Friday in South Korea, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Malta, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Poland, Portugal, and Romania.
Apple executives have already publicly said that they expect to sell more iPhones than ever in the current holiday quarter. The iPhone 4S already got off to a record breaking start, with 4 million units sold in its first weekend alone.
Comments
Only 20 iPhone 4Ss in stock would tend to sell out rather quickly.
Actually, Apple only made 10 iPhone 4s' available for the pre-orders. Typical Apple! Silly people.
Actually, Apple only made 10 iPhone 4s' available for the pre-orders. Typical Apple! Silly people.
I'm not convinced that misallocation of resources, on this sort of scale, is typical of Apple.
Why did they offer a grossly inadequate supply in a new market? Was it merely poor planning? Or is there something else that explains it?
I'm not convinced that misallocation of resources, on this sort of scale, is typical of Apple.
Why did they offer a grossly inadequate supply in a new market? Was it merely poor planning? Or is there something else that explains it?
Or maybe you simply shouldn't believe unfounded rumors that you hear in AI?
It's a very curious situation, completely unexpected with Tim Cook at the helm.
Those who've been buying Apple products for more than a decade will remember that throughout the '90s the company was plagued by supply issues. It became as common to see the word "backordered" in Apple-related news as it was to see the unfortunate use of the word "beleaguered."
But now that Apple has plenty of money to secure adequate supplies, and one of the world's most experienced supply chain masters as CEO, it seems odd to find the company unable to meet demand as starkly as they did before Steve came back.
Apple has adequate supplies to meet demand within a couple weeks. The backorders are not for months.
Nice try at a troll though. Ever ready to spin positive news in a negative light.
Apple has adequate supplies to meet demand within a couple weeks. The backorders are not for months.
Nice try at a troll though. Ever ready to spin positive news in a negative light.
If Apple limited the release to just a few countries at a time they'd be complaining that Apple is holding back the release to create an artificial demand.
... But now that Apple has plenty of money to secure adequate supplies, and one of the world's most experienced supply chain masters as CEO, it seems odd to find the company unable to meet demand as starkly as they did before Steve came back. ...
Even 80 billion dollar doesn't help if you just don't have the resources. Resources are finite you know.
J.
*sigh* That says so much about my country right now.
But those of us who've already authorized more Apple purchases in our careers than you will ever make in your lifetime recognize that this is a very real question, and merits a more considered response.
Sounds like your "career" is that of a buyer or purchasing agent -- one that requires training and expertise...
...unfortunately that does not qualify you to make valid evaluations of supply chain management, executive decision-making, resource allocation, manufacturing ramp-up, marketing, or technology in general...
...or any of the other areas of expertise -- in which you assume your ability exceeds that of known, proven, peformers.
I doubt you are qualified in any of these areas!
...just spewing of so much noxious hot air -- adding nothing to a reasoned discussion!
I know that and you know that, but some here consider Apple "magical" and expect it to perform miracles every quarter. There are a few quarters coming up which will disappoint those with a short-term view, but those of us who've been buying Apple stock and products far longer will take a longer view.
I don't think so, unsatisfied demand this quarter will bleed into the next, and then they have other carriers and countries to add.