First iPhone 7 pre-order shipments arrive as lines form at Apple stores
As the first iPhone 7 and 7 Plus units land in the hands of pre-order customers living in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia, customers eager to score their own copy are queueing up outside Apple's retail stores.
Customers await iPhone 7 at Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York City.
Apple fans in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Shanghai -- the first time zones to see Sept. 16 -- are now taking receipt of iPhone 7 pre-orders placed last Friday. As usual, many new owners are busy performing the ritual unboxing ceremony, posting pictures of the process to social media accounts for perusal by jealous international looky-loos.
Jeff Tan via Instagram
As of this writing, Apple stores in Australia are opening their doors to customers who in some cases have been waiting for hours to purchase the latest iPhone iteration. Apple retail is separating walk-in customers from those with pre-order reservations, as per usual.
Apple is launching iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in 29 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, US Virgin Islands and the U.S.
iPhone line at Apple's Union Square flagship in San Francisco.
Back in the U.S., customers began queuing up at Apple brick-and-mortar stores as early as Sunday. More recently, line-waiters descended on the Fifth Avenue store in New York, as captured by AppleInsider reader Ryan. Much like the past few years, iPhone faithful are camped out in beach chairs, sitting on the sidewalk behind a cordon set up by Apple employees. For now, this year's launch lacks sleeping bags.
In a rare statement regarding iPhone launch supply, Apple on Wednesday said initial stock of all iPhone 7 Plus and jet black models had been depleted, meaning walk-in customers can only select from certain 4.7-inch iPhone 7 versions. According to The Australian, first customers waiting in line to purchase an iPhone 7 Plus from a Sydney Apple retail outlet came away with iPhone 7 models instead.
Customers await iPhone 7 at Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York City.
Apple fans in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Shanghai -- the first time zones to see Sept. 16 -- are now taking receipt of iPhone 7 pre-orders placed last Friday. As usual, many new owners are busy performing the ritual unboxing ceremony, posting pictures of the process to social media accounts for perusal by jealous international looky-loos.
Jeff Tan via Instagram
As of this writing, Apple stores in Australia are opening their doors to customers who in some cases have been waiting for hours to purchase the latest iPhone iteration. Apple retail is separating walk-in customers from those with pre-order reservations, as per usual.
Apple is launching iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in 29 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, US Virgin Islands and the U.S.
iPhone line at Apple's Union Square flagship in San Francisco.
Back in the U.S., customers began queuing up at Apple brick-and-mortar stores as early as Sunday. More recently, line-waiters descended on the Fifth Avenue store in New York, as captured by AppleInsider reader Ryan. Much like the past few years, iPhone faithful are camped out in beach chairs, sitting on the sidewalk behind a cordon set up by Apple employees. For now, this year's launch lacks sleeping bags.
In a rare statement regarding iPhone launch supply, Apple on Wednesday said initial stock of all iPhone 7 Plus and jet black models had been depleted, meaning walk-in customers can only select from certain 4.7-inch iPhone 7 versions. According to The Australian, first customers waiting in line to purchase an iPhone 7 Plus from a Sydney Apple retail outlet came away with iPhone 7 models instead.
Comments
edit: Oh yeah, people are going to be miffed. Too many still think the AirPods come with the iPhone 7.
wow it was my understanding that pre-order stock and launch day store stock were separated.
I don't get this part of the article. Was there only one person in line? Wtf?
Personally, their consumer service on this has been amazing, but I'd put as being excessive. No one needs this level of personal support for a fucking consumer electronic. These guys have to be exhausted from all the stress of it, so (please) treat them with respect for helping you.
It must be very tough for someone with Cook's experience to know that there will be a shortage. He has to be one of the best, if not the best, supply chain manager and has to take the call on getting the right mix of SKUs out during the launch.
Handling the mix of the iPhone hardware complexity + immense demand + limited production lines is probably the single biggest thing for which he deserves every bonus he gets.
after waiting for hours in line your turn up comes and not only do you not get one they stare "Apple management has told us not to expect any for at least one month". They left you with zero options. Just turn and walk out? You're wanting to give Tim Cook an award for best supply chain manager ever? Steve had to be turning in his grave over this one.
They should have reduced the number of countries if they knew going in the preorders would wipe out their supply. They also should have moved the launch a month to have enough product to sell to the reduced number of countries
Jet Black: November?