US carriers signal launch iPhone 5s inventory will be 'grotesquely' low
Seemingly confirming rumors that Apple will not be able to provide adequate inventory of the iPhone 5s this weekend, a new report reveals that carriers are facing "grotesquely" low inventory for the device's launch.
Sources from U.S. carriers who spoke with AllThingsD on Tuesday revealed that they are disappointed by the number of iPhone 5s shipments they are receiving from Apple. Sales of Apple's next flagship handset will begin online Friday at 12:01 a.m. Pacific, while Apple's retail stores will begin selling the iPhone 5s when they open at 8 a.m. local time.
Tuesday's report also revealed that carriers may be seeing less demand for the iPhone 5s than expected. That's attributed to the new mid-range, multi-colored iPhone 5c, which may be proving more popular than some had anticipated.
It's unknown whether Apple is holding the majority of inventory for its own retail stores, or whether the new handset will be spread thin between Apple itself and its carrier partners. Regardless, Apple is not accepting preorders for the iPhone 5s ahead of Friday's launch, a fact that had already suggested to many observers that supply will be limited this weekend.
Preorders for the iPhone 5c did begin last week, and carrier-subsidized models appear to remain in healthy supply from Apple's online store. The new iPhone 5c features many of the same components as last year's iPhone 5, but sports a new polycarbonate back that is available in five colors: green, blue, yellow, red and white.
Well-connected analyst Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities revealed last month that the iPhone 5c would out-ship the iPhone 5s in the current quarter. According to Kuo, the iPhone 5s has faced apparent production issues associated with the new Touch ID fingerprint scanner located under the home button.
Both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are launching on all four major U.S. carriers this Friday: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. The devices will also be available in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the U.K.
Sources from U.S. carriers who spoke with AllThingsD on Tuesday revealed that they are disappointed by the number of iPhone 5s shipments they are receiving from Apple. Sales of Apple's next flagship handset will begin online Friday at 12:01 a.m. Pacific, while Apple's retail stores will begin selling the iPhone 5s when they open at 8 a.m. local time.
Tuesday's report also revealed that carriers may be seeing less demand for the iPhone 5s than expected. That's attributed to the new mid-range, multi-colored iPhone 5c, which may be proving more popular than some had anticipated.
It's unknown whether Apple is holding the majority of inventory for its own retail stores, or whether the new handset will be spread thin between Apple itself and its carrier partners. Regardless, Apple is not accepting preorders for the iPhone 5s ahead of Friday's launch, a fact that had already suggested to many observers that supply will be limited this weekend.
Preorders for the iPhone 5c did begin last week, and carrier-subsidized models appear to remain in healthy supply from Apple's online store. The new iPhone 5c features many of the same components as last year's iPhone 5, but sports a new polycarbonate back that is available in five colors: green, blue, yellow, red and white.
Well-connected analyst Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities revealed last month that the iPhone 5c would out-ship the iPhone 5s in the current quarter. According to Kuo, the iPhone 5s has faced apparent production issues associated with the new Touch ID fingerprint scanner located under the home button.
Both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are launching on all four major U.S. carriers this Friday: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. The devices will also be available in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the U.K.
Comments
Oh, "grotesquely low". That's different. Now I can squirm when I think "low".
Ewwwwww!
More FUD and BS. Have at it, stock manipulators!
Otherwise it is a worthless waste of a webpage.
I'll get up at my normal time on Friday morning and if they still have any, I might order one, otherwise I'll just wait a week or so.
http://tinyurl.com/n86hldx
No duh, hambone; you want a prize? How’s a pink slip sound?
Why are these people still employed?
FUD.
Well, let's hope it's FUD and not FUBAR.
Well if it's not accurate it's up to Apple to set the record straight. But I suppose we'll just get more of the "Apple doesn't respond to rumors" BS.
Would they really launch in more countries than the 5 if inventory was so low?
Well crap, and I HATE getting up at 12:01 A. M. PST...... Oh well since its for a new phone.
I'll get up at my normal time on Friday morning and if they still have any, I might order one, otherwise I'll just wait a week or so.
I will get up 2:55AM NYC time - order it 3:00AM.
Go back to sleep.
Wake up at 5:30AM.
Get in line at Apple Store @ 6:00AM.; hopefully have it by 9AM.
Go to work and cancel my online order.
Well crap, and I HATE getting up at 12:01 A. M. PST...... Oh well since its for a new phone.
Agree. I'll be up at 3:01 local. Hoping that I can order online and pick up in store the same day...probably a long shot.
Show me the person/source of this info.. And hold him accountable if it is all bs for Manipulation..
Otherwise it is a worthless waste of a webpage.
The "source" is the crack of his bum.
I suspect carriers phones are more discounted than through say apple.com. Maybe Apple is taking advantage of that, and directing the majority of the initial phones to Apple Stores and store.apple.com.
Anyways, this might lead to an even great number of 5C being sold, which is great news for me as an Apple investor. I expect the 5C profit margin to be at a whole another level than the 5S.
Ya if people only knew of the logistics to ramp up production to iPhone type numbers. Incorporating new parts and processes. I'm surprised it works as well as it does. On the other hand I do want my new iPhone right now