14 DAY TRIAL // Despite the Apple Online Store showing an improvement in shipping quotas for the iPhone 6, a research note from Piper Jaffray tells a different story.
Gene Munster, working with investment bank Piper Jaffray, says that his latest checks with Apple suppliers in the Far East have led him to believe that only 56% of the phones are in stock, and that he would have expected as much as 80% to be in stock at this time.
Overwhelming demand or poor yield rates? Munster isn’t sure, and neither can we be sure since we’re not even in direct contact with Apple’s Chinese suppliers. What we can do is assume that it’s a little bit of both. That’s generally the case with new iPhone releases, and we wouldn’t expect this year to be any different.
iPhone 6 as Christmas gift
If you’re planning to put a smile on someone’s face by getting them an iPhone 6 for Christmas, we wouldn’t want to rush you into making a purchase, but it’s probably a good idea to secure one sooner rather than later. Especially if you’re after one of the higher-end models.
Regardless of what Gene Munster might tell you (and it wouldn’t be the first time he’s been off with his wild predictions), buying a new iPhone this year has been incredibly difficult for some. There are places on the globe where you simply can’t get one without waiting a full week, despite the phone having launched in that area for more than a month.
If you want the entry-level 16GB iPhone 6, the shipping timeframe is generally 1-3 business days now, but if you order one on Friday, you’ll get it in about five days. As Christmas approaches, there’s a chance that shipping quota will increase back to 3-5 days (the shipping estimate from last week).
Low stock of 128GB iPhone 6 Plus
Here’s the interesting bit, though. Of all the new iPhones Apple has on offer, the model that supposedly sells the smallest number of units is actually the one with the longest shipping timeframe: 7-10 business days.
In all fairness, you could order one today and still not be able to put it under the tree in due time. Long story short, make up your mind fast and act even faster.
The best approach is to check with all the channels in your area, not just Apple, but other retailers as well. You never know.
