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Usually with new iOS devices, the demand is greater than the initial supply. Sometimes I wonder if it's a marketing stragety to keep the hype up and increase sales based on people wanting something they can't get; at least right away.
 
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Usually with new iOS devices, the demand is greater than the initial supply. Sometimes I wonder if it's a marketing stragety to keep the hype up and increase sales based on people wanting something they can't get; at least right away.

I think it definitely is.
 
yeah i just figured by now they would have enough, or would have planned better

Enough for what? There are 70 countries planned to be selling the iPhone by the end of the year, plus the holiday season. Their manufacturing capacity is reported to be about 150,000 units per day. That's around a million phones a week.

Over the long haul that manufacturing level will be plenty but it will take a few weeks to satisfy all the initial demand and reach equilibrium.
 
Usually with new iOS devices, the demand is greater than the initial supply. Sometimes I wonder if it's a marketing stragety to keep the hype up and increase sales based on people wanting something they can't get; at least right away.

Looking at the raw numbers, it really isn't. Sure, Apple (or rather FoxConn, etc.) could sink a few billion $$$ into more plants to increase manufacturing capacity beyond the current ~1 million phones/week and boost the initial supply - but if you figure one new phone a year, that extra capacity would sit idle 90% of the time. That would not be a good investment on their part.
 
Total U.S. pre-orders of the iPhone 4S were somewhere in the range of 4 million, if I recall correctly. The U.S. is one of ~30 countries where the 4S has been released.

I remember reading that peak production at Foxconn is somewhere in the vicinity of 200 to 300 thousand units per day. That means 3+ weeks of constant production to meet U.S. pre-order demand alone, and who knows how many more weeks to meet all worldwide orders.

A shortage doesn't seem that surprising.

EDIT: what seanfranklin said
 
And I love how some people prelaunch say they are just going to waltz into stores and there would be plenty supplies cause no one is going to upgrade
 
Dont forget that while the plant may be able to support the current round of countries where the iPhones are available, Apple keeps releasing the iPhone in more and more countries every few weeks, leading to the same sudden rush of people wanting them and the stocks are then reduced as people buy them out and you are back in the same situation.
 
4S is an awful and pointless update to the 4.. anyone who buys the 4s is either someone who didn't have a 4 to begin with or is an idiot
 
I got 2 white 4s at Walmart last night with Verizon. Asked the lady selling me the phones if they received them weekly. Was surprised by her reply that those were the only 2 white 4s they had recieved. 188 a pop w 2yr contract.
 
4S is an awful and pointless update to the 4.. anyone who buys the 4s is either someone who didn't have a 4 to begin with or is an idiot

Unless you own the iPhone 4S, you are not qualified to state judge it.

If you own the 4S, you would have had to upgrade from the 4 to make this statement. That would mean you are an idiot by your own standard.
 
Unless you own the iPhone 4S, you are not qualified to state judge it.

If you own the 4S, you would have had to upgrade from the 4 to make this statement. That would mean you are an idiot by your own standard.

Why does one have to own it to judge it?
Why would I have to had upgraded to make that statement?

Do you forget that I don't know, I could have maybe USED IT
 
You just made a blanket statement saying anyone who upgrades from a 4 to a 4S is an idiot.

Anyways 'ignorant' is the incorrect word.

Your bigotry is showing.

Bigotry? Against stupid people? Why yes I am a bigot.

I have used the iPhone 4S. I see how it's basically the same phone with minor upgrades. Sure it's subjective but upgrading from the 4 to the 4S is idiotic. Siri is a moron and not all that helpful.
 
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