Lack of iPhone 5c presale announcement causes worry among Apple investors
Though Apple has announced preorder numbers for its last three iPhone launches, this year the company has opted to stay silent regarding iPhone 5c presales, sparking some worry among investors. But those concerns may prove unfounded, as this year Apple is not accepting preorders for its latest flagship device, the iPhone 5s.
Shares of AAPL stock were off nearly $12, or more than 2.5 percent, Monday morning. Market watchers believe negative sentiment may stem from the fact that Apple did not publish a press release touting preorders for the iPhone 5c, which became available to pre-purchase last Friday.
Apple didn't announce presale figures for the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, or iPhone 3GS. But starting with the iPhone 4 in 2010, the company has boasted new record preorder numbers every year.
However, this year also marks the first time Apple is launching two new iPhone models: the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. Preorders are not available for the iPhone 5s, which has led some to suspect that Apple may be facing limited availability of the device leading up to this Friday's launch.
If previous launches are any indication, Apple will likely sell every iPhone 5s unit it can make in time for this weekend's debut. Previous iPhone launches were met with near-immediate stockouts of the latest model.
While the iPhone 5c is a new model, it includes many of the same parts as last year's iPhone 5, while lacking key features of the iPhone 5s such as the Touch ID fingerprint scanner, new A7 chip, and M7 motion coprocessor. The defining characteristic of the iPhone 5c is its new plastic polycarbonate back, available in five colors that give a new look to the iPhone lineup.
As such, the iPhone 5c may not be as appealing to early adopters who are likely to want Apple's latest and greatest model, the iPhone 5s.
Also worth noting is the fact that iPhone 5c supply appears to remain readily available for preorder direct from Apple. As of Monday, carrier-specific versions of the handset remain available for delivery in time for this Friday's debut.
The only iPhone 5c units that have gone out of stock thus far are SIM-free unlocked models. Some varieties are advertised to ship the following week, while others will arrive in early October.
Shares of AAPL stock were off nearly $12, or more than 2.5 percent, Monday morning. Market watchers believe negative sentiment may stem from the fact that Apple did not publish a press release touting preorders for the iPhone 5c, which became available to pre-purchase last Friday.
Apple didn't announce presale figures for the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, or iPhone 3GS. But starting with the iPhone 4 in 2010, the company has boasted new record preorder numbers every year.
However, this year also marks the first time Apple is launching two new iPhone models: the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. Preorders are not available for the iPhone 5s, which has led some to suspect that Apple may be facing limited availability of the device leading up to this Friday's launch.
If previous launches are any indication, Apple will likely sell every iPhone 5s unit it can make in time for this weekend's debut. Previous iPhone launches were met with near-immediate stockouts of the latest model.
While the iPhone 5c is a new model, it includes many of the same parts as last year's iPhone 5, while lacking key features of the iPhone 5s such as the Touch ID fingerprint scanner, new A7 chip, and M7 motion coprocessor. The defining characteristic of the iPhone 5c is its new plastic polycarbonate back, available in five colors that give a new look to the iPhone lineup.
As such, the iPhone 5c may not be as appealing to early adopters who are likely to want Apple's latest and greatest model, the iPhone 5s.
Also worth noting is the fact that iPhone 5c supply appears to remain readily available for preorder direct from Apple. As of Monday, carrier-specific versions of the handset remain available for delivery in time for this Friday's debut.
The only iPhone 5c units that have gone out of stock thus far are SIM-free unlocked models. Some varieties are advertised to ship the following week, while others will arrive in early October.
Comments
I am sure nobody would preorder anything like an iPhone because
It never happened in the past.
/s
Apple fails to sell the 5S via preorders.
its pointless to announce presale numbers. We will see numbers when the first weekend sales are in for BOTH phones.
Tell that to Apple media relations, they've been doing it for the last several model releases.
its pointless to announce presale numbers. We will see numbers when the first weekend sales are in for BOTH phones.
If Apple feels like doing so, otherwise we won't know that. I mean, they aren't forced to do so.
I honestly believe that they laugh a lot about the falling stock price and that the more it falls, the better they feel about it because of their buyback program. They were buying 100$ bills with 80$. Now, they are buying those with 50$.
Sooner or later, the market will wake up, look at the current situation (apple being the only one innovating since 98, looking at the competitors P/E and situation, the cash reserve, Apple dominating profits on every area and most of the competition going through bad times, etc) and the stock will skyrocket to close half of what it should be (higher P/E than Google and Microsoft combined, since Apple is worth much more than both together).
I hope everything is ok at Apple headquarters, as the lack of an announcement really is really something to worry about for our Apple fans. I still believe the 5 c will sell well when it becomes available. Expect people to stand in long lines in front of Apple stores world wide, to get hold of the iPhone 5 c.
Apple choose to launch in more countries, especially in China, instead of pre-orders just for the US for iPhone 5s.
If the 5C is not a flagship phone you haven't seen the ones from the competition.
I find the pre-order situation odd. People know what they are getting with the 5s as it looks the same as the older 5, if they are sold on the new technology inside then the decision is made and so they would be happy to pre-order.
For the 5c I would have thought most people would want to wait and see them in the flesh before purchasing. How nice is the plastic, is it comfortable to hold, how bright are those colours etc? I think the 5c will sell, but it will be a slow start until people get exposure to them.
The 5c is the old 5 in a new skin. Apple wont release numbers on old iphones. People need to wait next monday, if nothing, then they can worry.
Disclosure: Sold my stocks at $502 at iphone event. Bought back a little at $470 and more at $455. I am short 2 $450 puts that expires on sept 27th.
I also don't expect Apple to call out amounts per model. Announcing a 5C number would be an apples to oranges comparison with last year. Even a combined number would be an issue. All in all, Apple is taking a stock hit even after an announcement either way I suspect. They would have to also give iPhone 5 and 4S breakdown for last year to compare it to. But not sure that wise either. Tough situation, but in the end the total units per quarteris what matters.
I know how much everyone loves polls.
I've seen a few reader polls on various tech sites and the 5S seems to be an overwhelming favorite (highest 5 to 1- lowest 2 to 1) over the 5C.
I know Apple doesn't break its sales down usually but it would be interesting to see the sales breakdown of the 5S and 5C to see how it compares to the polls.
Apple can not announce because "Pre-Orders" are being taken by a variety of vendors all over the world.
This is a different model than before...
(Best buy, Walmart, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile etc...)