Apple's first iPhone X sales begin in Australia & New Zealand

Posted:
in iPhone edited November 2017
Apple's first retail sales of the iPhone X are now underway, having begun at stores in Australia and New Zealand.




CEO Tim Cook tweeted "a big thank-you to all our customers in Sydney," sharing a photo of two of the first customers, both of whom bought a pair of iPhones. The iPhone X is an expensive prospect in Australia, starting at A$1,579 or about $1,218 -- well over the $999 it costs in the U.S.

About 400 people lined up outside Apple's George Street store in downtown Sydney, according to Reuters. Sales in fact began there while Apple while was still announcing its Q4 financial results.

The first George Street buyer was reportedly an 18-year-old man, Bishoy Behman, who camped out at the shop for a week and admitted he was only planning to resell the phones at a price of A$3,000 ($2,314) each.

Image Credit: Reuters/David Gray
Image Credit: Reuters/David Gray


Much is riding on the iPhone X. Apple has marketed the product as the future of the iPhone, and while the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus helped propel sales to 46.7 million during the September quarter, launch-day lineups for those devices were sometimes small or non-existent. It's believed that many people wealthy enough to afford the iPhone X were waiting for online preorders to start on Oct. 27, or this Friday's retail launch.




Earlier production bottlenecks are expected to keep supplies tight until 2018, but some online shoppers have reported improved shipping times. In Apple's Q4 call Cook said that the company is growing output "week by week," and trying to ship as fast as possible.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,152member
    The Australian price includes 10% GST. You would have to subtract that to compare, so about USD$1107, or alternatively add US sales taxes to the USD$999.
    that makes the Well known and hated Apple Australia Tax $108 ATM. Basically a combination of 10% exchange rate risk allowance over the next twelve months the iPhone X will be sold at that price, and secondly because it can charge that much and get away with it.
    edited November 2017 netmagesteveau
  • Reply 2 of 15
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,801member
    How much longer until iFixit tears one apart? I'd love to see whats inside it.
    retrogustowatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 15
    Man that first buyer sounds like a tit. “I only bought it to on sell for twice the price”.

    Punks like that need to be shot
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 15
    jumejume Posts: 209member
    Man that first buyer sounds like a tit. “I only bought it to on sell for twice the price”.

    Punks like that need to be shot
    If Apple can pull noses to their customers with ridiculous prices why nobody else can ?
  • Reply 5 of 15
    fallenjtfallenjt Posts: 4,053member
    Let me guess: these 4 phones from mother and daughter there in that picture will go straight to China in a few hours! Lol.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 15
    iqatedoiqatedo Posts: 1,822member
    macxpress said:
    How much longer until iFixit tears one apart? I'd love to see whats inside it.
    iFixit came to Sydney  - happening as I write this.

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-03/iphone-x-kyle-wiens-taking-it-to-bits/9115484
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 15
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,152member
    What a junket! Hope he sends some time at the GBR, Uluru, Bondi and a casino before heading back home.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 15
    Notice everyone in those photos have 2 iPhones each, fair play to them tbh... buy 1 to keep and 1 to sell at twice the price = free iPhone X for them.

    If I had an apple store near me and the time/inclination to queue, I'd probably do the same.
  • Reply 9 of 15
    entropys said:
    The Australian price includes 10% GST. You would have to subtract that to compare, so about USD$1107, or alternatively add US sales taxes to the USD$999.
    that makes the Well known and hated Apple Australia Tax $108 ATM. Basically a combination of 10% exchange rate risk allowance over the next twelve months the iPhone X will be sold at that price, and secondly because it can charge that much and get away with it.
    Same in the UK - the price is £999 which includes 20% VAT (sales tax). So price here is £832.50 before tax or about $1,087.
  • Reply 10 of 15
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,035member
    macxpress said:
    How much longer until iFixit tears one apart? I'd love to see whats inside it.
    Here you go…


    • The Face ID comments are contained in the base of the device, not the display.
    • Interesting that the Qi charging pad's connector is linked to the volume and silent buttons, and some other sensor.
    • Surprisingly great repairability score for such a compact and complex design.
    edited November 2017 GG1watto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 15
    fallenjt said:
    Let me guess: these 4 phones from mother and daughter there in that picture will go straight to China in a few hours! Lol.

    The price in Hong Kong is cheaper, and who would want to pay even more for a product available here, even with local shops hiking the price it's still cheaper than Australia already hiked price.

    I only would say Apple should force people to open and activate all devices, to stop these bandits selling on. Let the real people who's hearts are for a new product enjoy it, without the excessive  costs.

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 15
    fallenjt said:
    Let me guess: these 4 phones from mother and daughter there in that picture will go straight to China in a few hours! Lol.

    Let the real people who's hearts are for a new product enjoy it, without the excessive  costs.

    Do you believe that the ultimate end user of the devices that are resold don’t have hearts for a new product? If they are not in a position where they can get one NOW and are truly paying twice what Apple charges then I would say they ARE people who’s hearts are for a new product. 

    Not for nothing but a sale is a sale, why should Apple for the device to be activated? It will still, likely, end up in a happy user’s hands. 
  • Reply 13 of 15
    jume said:
    Man that first buyer sounds like a tit. “I only bought it to on sell for twice the price”.

    Punks like that need to be shot
    If Apple can pull noses to their customers with ridiculous prices why nobody else can ?
    Because the price of an iPhone is quite cheap for what they’ve put into it. The price discrepancy here in NZ and Australia is government imposed due to import taxes and GST etc. This guy is just being a scumbag. I hope it never sells and he’s left with an iPhone he can’t do anything with.

    The worst thing is that people will support his greed by buying it off him.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 15
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,035member
    SeamKurk said:
    Samsung Galaxy available for $800
    Lighter fluid and a box of matches costs a lot less than that.
    GG1watto_cobra
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