iPhone 3G S Launch Sales to Exceed 3G Launch?

[MacRumors]

Despite the seemingly shorter lines at the iPhone 3G S, it seems that the early sales number estimates for the iPhone 3G S launch could even exceed the iPhone 3G launch. Apple managed to sell 1 million of the iPhone 3Gs during its launch weekend last year. Unlike last year, however, Apple and AT&T have allowed pre-orders for the latest iPhone device.

UK mobile carrier O2 reveals that by lunchtime, they've already sold more iPhone 3G S handsets than they did during the entire day of the iPhone 3G launch. They expect by the end of the day to have sold more than 50% more than last year's opening day.

Meanwhile, AppleInsider notes that AT&T has revealed that AT&T has sold "hundreds of thousands" of iPhone 3G S's ahead of the launch. Based on these numbers, the site also speculates that Apple could easily sell more than a million devices during the first three days.

Article Link: iPhone 3G S Launch Sales to Exceed 3G Launch?

[mobi]

There is more retail availability this time around.

[theheadguy]

And this is why AT&T won't be giving you tethering and MMS right away... because they don't have to.

[puckhead193]

Wow dam you apple... for not making this on verizon...
want one now

[davem7]

Yeah, and the reason O2 are selling more? They actually have some stock this time, and people aren't having to queue up for over an hour to get their contracts signed. It's just a bit of cheap publicity - if the 3GS sells more in the long run, I'd be extremely surprised. It just doesn't have the same value for money over here that the 3G had on release.

[igazza]

crazy. I still got to wait another week

[QCassidy352]

Originally Posted by theheadguy

And this is why AT&T won't be giving you tethering and MMS right away... because they don't have to.

They can do damn near anything they want and people will still flock to the iphone.

But IMO, there actually is a "good" reason to not have tethering and MMS right away... I think AT&T is frantically upgrading their network in advance of yet millions more high-volume 3G data users. I just don't think the network can take the strain of all the 3G S users + tethering + MMS. AT&T knows this and is working to increase capacity, but it takes time.

[jameskk]

Yeah Right! I went to my local at&t store this morning to get my wife the new 3Gs (she can really use the better battery life). I went at 9am and they had signs on the door that said "The line starts here". Went inside and absolutely NO customers and about 10 sales associates... I made a joke about nobody wanting the new iPhone and they just laughed. They only had the 32GB so I ended up going to the local Best Buy and got one. The girl at BB said that I was the first person to buy one. In fact, their system didn't have the SKU number loaded so they had to do a manual override or something... was in there 30 min!

[Mr Maui]

Originally Posted by mobi

There is more retail availability this time around.

Maybe in the USA. But it is being launched in only 8 countries this years versus 21 countries on Launch Day for the 3G last year.

[nfl46]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Lol, I think EVERYONE forgot about the Palm Pre! LMAO!

I LOVE APPLE!!!!!!!

[nfl46]

Originally Posted by jameskk

Yeah Right! I went to my local at&t store this morning to get my wife the new 3Gs (she can really use the better battery life). I went at 9am and they had signs on the door that said "The line starts here". Went inside and absolutely NO customers and about 10 sales associates... I made a joke about nobody wanting the new iPhone and they just laughed. They only had the 32GB so I ended up going to the local Best Buy and got one. The girl at BB said that I was the first person to buy one. In fact, their system didn't have the SKU number loaded so they had to do a manual override or something... was in there 30 min!

Well, it must be just there, because our Best Buy parking lot was filled up last night, and I just passed by our AT&T flagship store in our city, and it was PACKED...news cameras, etc...

[jonnysods]

Dang, I live in London Ontario, and they have NOTHING in town, and stores have been open only for 1.5 hours. Not sure what they sent over here.

I'm pretty bummed though!

[Mr Maui]

The only delays I will have this morning related to the iPhone 3Gs is waiting for MacRumors to post information about in from the earlt feedback.

[iDAG]

Cool.

Now if I had a job (I'm in high school) maybe I could afford one.

[fc4090]

I was third in line and second one to get the iPhone 3GS. When I went to AT&T shop only two guys were there at 6:45am. When I came out at 7:30 no one was waiting. Only 6 people by 7:30, crazy!!
And yes, the AT&T guy took 30 minutes to setup my preordered account!! Crazy! He also scratched the bazel...GRRRRRR!!
Video cam is awesome...loved it! Now restoring my backup to make the phone usable.
Happy to have it....

[dwman]

Originally Posted by QCassidy352

But IMO, there actually is a "good" reason to not have tethering and MMS right away... I think AT&T is frantically upgrading their network in advance of yet millions more high-volume 3G data users. I just don't think the network can take the strain of all the 3G S users + tethering + MMS. AT&T knows this and is working to increase capacity, but it takes time.

I almost agree. Yes, they need to upgrade their network, but come on? How long have they known about this? They knew MMS and tethering would be coming...it's allowed on all the other phones on their network. If/when the iPhone hits VZ, AT&T is royally screwed. And if there were carrier competition, they would have had both services ready by now.

[mogzieee]

I would LOVE to just go in one of the busy Apple Stores right now and buy a standard iPhone 3G right now...

[Mr Maui]

Originally Posted by nfl46

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Lol, I think EVERYONE forgot about the Palm Pre! LMAO!

I LOVE APPLE!!!!!!!

The what?!?!? I've been thinking about palm trees all morning. What are you talking about.

[BornAgainMac]

Originally Posted by jameskk

I went at 9am and they had signs on the door that said "The line starts here". Went inside and absolutely NO customers and about 10 sales associates...

Are you at a highly populated area?

[voodoofish]

Originally Posted by davem7

Yeah, and the reason O2 are selling more? They actually have some stock this time, and people aren't having to queue up for over an hour to get their contracts signed. It's just a bit of cheap publicity - if the 3GS sells more in the long run, I'd be extremely surprised. It just doesn't have the same value for money over here that the 3G had on release.

As much as I love Apple, I'm actually sad to read that O2 is selling the iPhone well as they are just charging too much for the phone. O2 have admitted they've cut the subsidies they offer on the phones, so it seems as though they are just trying to see how much they can get away with charging (they massively improved the plans available for the initial iPhone after poor sales), and if they iPhone 3G S is selling this well they're unlikely to make the plans much better or increase the subsidy they offer

[Zimpaz]

I cant go into the O2 shop until 2moro morning because i actually have a job to go to!

Do you think they will still have stock?

[alexboy45]

the last time around the 3 stores i went to only had 4 16gb iPhones. 2 white and 2 Black and 2 8gb. this probably explains why

[syklee26]

it may be just me but I have never even once used MMS or tethering. I see how tethering via bluetooth can be pretty smooth and easy and useful, but do people have to send pictures via messengers?

well at least it is going to be free, so I have no complaints, but I am a bit baffled with all the complaints.

[kmcrawford]

Very short lines. I went into the AT&T store at 8 am this morning was helped right away...no line! When the 3G launched I got there at 6:30 am and waited quite a while in line and they sold out about ten people after me.

btw.. the camera is a lot nicer and the voice control is very cool.

[Mr Maui]

Originally Posted by dwman

I almost agree. Yes, they need to upgrade their network, but come on? How long have they known about this? They knew MMS and tethering would be coming...it's allowed on all the other phones on their network. If/when the iPhone hits VZ, AT&T is royally screwed. And if there were carrier competition, they would have had both services ready by now.

Have to remind everyone that upgrading a nationwide network is not a flip-swtich event.