14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is getting ready to start sales of the iPhone 7, but it turns out that those who want to get one from a retail store on Friday might have the unpleasant surprise of not finding any, as Cupertino is running out of certain versions of the new model.
Cupertino claims that the iPhone 7 Plus is sold out in absolutely all versions and all storage configurations, while the 4.7-inch model is no longer available in the newly-introduced Jet Black color.
While this could point to early success for the iPhone 7, it’s hard to estimate how many units Apple is selling as part of the pre-order program because the company isn’t willing to share first-weekend sales figures.
Furthermore, the rumor mill is claiming that the firm might actually make only limited stocks available at first in order to sell out the iPhone 7 faster, but at the same time, reports coming from sources with knowledge of the matter indicate that the company has already ordered more units from suppliers to cope with the high demand.
Limited quantities in stores
Apple says that it’s currently working on bringing units in stores, but it admits that customers might have a hard time buying the version they want, especially the Plus in Jet Black.
“We sincerely appreciate our customers' patience as we work hard to get the new iPhone into the hands of everyone who wants one as quickly as possible,” Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller was quoted as saying by Reuters.
In a separate statement, the company adds that only limited quantities of the iPhone 7 will arrive in stores, so there are big chances that only the first buyers would find the phone in Jet Black.
“Beginning Friday, limited quantities of iPhone 7 in silver, gold, rose gold, and black will be available for walk-in customers at Apple retail stores. During the online pre-order period, initial quantities of iPhone 7 Plus in all finishes and iPhone 7 in jet black sold out and will not be available for walk-in customers.”
The lack of a headphone jack
While nobody can tell for sure if the success that Apple is already bragging about for the iPhone 7 is based on huge initial demand or on a well-thought-out strategy put in place by the company, buyers don’t seem to be bothered too much about the lack of a headphone jack.
Analysts expect only a small number of potential buyers to be concerned about the lack of a 3.5mm audio connector, but they claim that Apple’s decision to ship an adapter in the box with the iPhone 7 solves the problem momentarily until the transition to the Lightning connector is completed.
Next year's iPhone model is very likely to continue this migration off the headphone jack, analysts claim, and Apple might not offer an adapter at all depending on the success of the existing model.