Comments on: iPhone Inventory Running Low?

By: Iceman6

Iceman6 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:38:07 +0000

I suppose it’s possible there’s another storage upgrade coming, i.e. 32 GB Iphone.

By: marcol

marcol — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:20:49 +0000

Ah, the old Panama Canal ruse. I'll take that as confirmation that the 3G phone will arrive by the w/end.

Would explain that only the US seems to be affected, although you have to wonder in that case why only iPhones (and not other Apple products) are in short supply. Do iPhones have there own ship (and it sank)?

By: Rene Ritchie

Rene Ritchie — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:22:46 +0000

One of the posters on Ars said there was some delay at the Panama Canal, so who knows?

There's a tanker on its way filled with iPhones, the only question is are they the current rev., or has El Jobso got something tweaked or completely new in his pocket these days?

By: marcol

marcol — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:33:52 +0000

Though the Apple online store lists availability at 5-7 days (long enough for a container ship to hit US shores?), AT&T retail still appears to have stock aplenty on hand.

As well as from AT&T, iPhones are also readily available from other sources, including the UK on-line Apple store. That doesn’t mean of course that Apple aren’t running down stock – you wouldn’t expect every stock to run out at exactly the same time after all. It would be foolish of Apple to have no supply in a market for an extended period, but that’s not the case anywhere yet AFAIK.

Have you had any trouble getting a Jobs phone lately? Or do you see boxes piled high round your parts? Is this a sign of poor supply chain management (atypical of Apple), or is 3G on its way? What do you think?

That would be atypical of Apple. Long shipping dates are usually only seen when a product has just been introduced or is about to be withdrawn. At the moment nearly every major product on the US on-line Apple store is listed as shipping within 24 hours, a couple are listed as 1-3 days, only the two iPhone models are listed as 5-7 days.

Perhaps the rumour I posted yesterday is really true:

Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision to ship at least 10 million 3G iPhones By Wei Yi Last update: 5:28 a.m. EDT April 1, 2008 TAIPEI (MarketWatch) — Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (2317.TW:, , ) , the world’s largest contract electronics maker, plans to ship at least 10 million third-generation iPhones for Apple Inc. (AAPL: 149.53, +6.03, +4.2%) , a person familiar with the situation told Dow Jones Newswires. The person, who declined to be named, said Apple will likely launch the new generation iPhone as early as the second quarter. “Hon Hai is ready to ship anytime. It is just waiting for the nod from Apple,” said the person. Last week, another person familiar with the situation told Dow Jones Newswires that Hon Hai had received an exclusive contract to make an advanced version of the iPhone. Apple spokeswoman Jill Tan declined to comment Tuesday.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/taiwans-hon-hai-precision-ship/story.aspx?guid={713415CA-FB6D-4508-A683-651F09C52F49}

… or perhaps the Apple stores are being resupplied as we speak

By: Bad Ash

Bad Ash — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:08:18 +0000

Regardless… I’m sticking with September. Unless Apple says otherwise.

By: jcjdoss

jcjdoss — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:12:59 +0000

@Bad Ash Easy. To drain their inventory to make the most money from their current stock. Once the 3G comes out..strike that...once the 3g phone is even leaked by a reputable source to be released, Apple will have to cut the prices on current models. They will have to cut back production to allow for production for 3G. This will allow inventory to drain and make room for the new stock.

It looks like the 3G phone is on the way.

By: Bad Ash

Bad Ash — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:46:32 +0000

Doubtful… Why put out 3 new iPhone adds then cut supply down?! People need to relax about this 3g iPhone. We more than likely won’t see one until September or so.

By: Bri Guy

Bri Guy — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:15:48 +0000

Although I welcome a 3G iPhone, I’m also a bit torn — it means that, to placate my gadget addiction, I have to blow the dust off my eBay account and prepare for unloading my 8GB ‘old’ iPhone for a new 3G one Oh, the horror.