I think you will only be able to get X via Apple upfront

[ssrij]

If the production numbers of X stays low (today's report says 10k/day), I highly doubt you will be able to get an iPhone X from a carrier, or even on the iPhone Upgrade Program.

Apple will try to control demand because supply will be so low. Price is one way to do it (we all know it's rumoured to start at $999), the other is to make everyone pay for the device upfront, which a lot of people won't be able to, and hence the demand will lower to match supply.

Since it's a special, anniversary, one-off model, I think you will only be able to buy it from Apple only, at least for sometime, and only if you pay the amount upfront.

 

[Dave245]

I plan on buying it outright anyway. I don't agree that it's a one off model tho, next year there will be an 6.3" Plus model according to the rumours, there is no way that Apple will put all the technology into this X Phone for it to be a one off fluke, it's the future of the iPhone.

 

[ssrij]

I plan on buying it outright anyway. I don't agree that it's a one off model tho, next year there will be an 6.3" Plus model according to the rumours, there is no way that Apple will put all the technology into this X Phone for it to be a one off fluke, it's the future of the iPhone.

Same!

One-off model means they won't release another X next year, it doesn't mean they won't promote the tech used in the X to other models (9 and 9+). I don't think Apple will be launching 3 models again next year.

 

[mctrials23]

Lol, that might make an iota of sense if apple hadn't sold their upgrade program as allowing you to get their latest iPhone each year without fail as long as you meet their criteria. Turning around and saying "sorry you can't have it for 4 months while we sell it to other people" would be a suicidal plan. I'm pretty sure apple would be in a lot of trouble.

 

[DNichter]

Yea, that's not happening.

 

[ssrij]

Lol, that might make an iota of sense if apple hadn't sold their upgrade program as allowing you to get their latest iPhone each year without fail as long as you meet their criteria. Turning around and saying "sorry you can't have it for 4 months while we sell it to other people" would be a suicidal plan. I'm pretty sure apple would be in a lot of trouble.

The latest iPhone is iPhone 8 and 8+. X is just an anniversary model, a special edition, an one-off phone. Sure it's got some things that the 8 and 8+ doesn't, but I don't think it fits Apple's definition of "latest" as used when marketing the iUP.

There will be little stock of X. Allowing iUP members to upgrade will deplete stock much faster, as its easier to pay in instalments than upfront. Same with allowing carriers to offer upgrades to X. People who pay the whole amount upfront is much better in this case where the supply is extremely tight and I am sure Apple would love tens of thousands of people to pay $999/1099/1199 upfront than in instalments. They'll have all the money immediately than getting it in instalments and have a easier time fulfilling orders.

But let's see what happens tomorrow.

 

[daleski75]

I personally think Apple will allow it through all channels and inventory will just dry up increasing demand and people selling them on eBay for a massively marked up price.

It does not seem logical for Apple to restrict where you can buy one from irrespective of availability.

 

[Macalway]

What is the likelihood that the X will go on sale tomorrow, when the Store comes back up?

 

[Carlos22Dayday]

What is the likelihood that the X will go on sale tomorrow, when the Store comes back up?

Absolutely Zero.

 

[zhandri]

Absolutely Zero.

"and i'm pleased to announce that you'll be able to preorder them right now! what was that? oh i just got confirmation that we're already sold out"

 

[44267547]

What is the likelihood that the X will go on sale tomorrow, when the Store comes back up?

That won't happen. Pre-orders have to go live starting likely on the 15th first.

 

[nviz22]

Nah, it will be like last year. You preorder it or go to a backorder. If not, buy one on eBay or stand in a line if you're that desperate and have tons of free time.

 

[BeeGood]

While this would be fabulous for me, there is zero chance that Apple will screw over IUP folks in that way.

 

[joeblow7777]

What is the likelihood that the X will go on sale tomorrow, when the Store comes back up?

No way. It has never happened that way.

 

[craigio85]

The latest iPhone is iPhone 8 and 8+. X is just an anniversary model, a special edition, an one-off phone. Sure it's got some things that the 8 and 8+ doesn't, but I don't think it fits Apple's definition of "latest" as used when marketing the iUP.

There will be little stock of X. Allowing iUP members to upgrade will deplete stock much faster, as its easier to pay in instalments than upfront. Same with allowing carriers to offer upgrades to X. People who pay the whole amount upfront is much better in this case where the supply is extremely tight and I am sure Apple would love tens of thousands of people to pay $999/1099/1199 upfront than in instalments. They'll have all the money immediately than getting it in instalments and have a easier time fulfilling orders.

But let's see what happens tomorrow.

Of course, what a plan! Let's insist people buy it upfront at £999 instead of taking it on the upgrade plan where we're also guaranteed an extra £119 for the AppleCare+ that's almost pure profit because the majority of users don't make use of it. Even better, it'd totally alienate our most loyal customers!

Are there any other business plans you'd like to submit?

 

[ssrij]

Of course, what a plan! Let's insist people buy it upfront at £999 instead of taking it on the upgrade plan where we're also guaranteed an extra £119 for the AppleCare+ that's almost pure profit because the majority of users don't make use of it. Even better, it'd totally alienate our most loyal customers!

Are there any other business plans you'd like to submit?

It's just speculation from my side. The supply will be low, thats the reason why Apple is putting such a high price tag on it, to make sure they're able to fill the orders. There's nothing stopping them to add additional restrictions, if production numbers are as low as 10K/day. A significant chunk of people on iUP won't even be able to upgrade in that case.

 

[Joseph C]

All the rumours about the supply being low are really making everything stressful.

Roll on tomorrow where hopefully we get more answers.

I just hope the launch plan is well thought out and there isn’t a total sh*tstorm coming where carriers etc can’t meet their own deadlines for delivery and everyone gets really angry.

 

[The Game 161]

Well Apple will need to have some stock for carriers as well

 

[Macalway]

frivolous post was here (which I guess it still is? )

 

[JPack]

The production will continue to ramp. The 10k/day figure from Kuo was just a snapshot.

I would not be surprised if the X were not available through carriers. Apple needed help from carriers when it wasn't selling. The X will be sold out for a long time.

 

[Cryates]

Nope. Not a chance.

 

[craigio85]

It's just speculation from my side. The supply will be low, thats the reason why Apple is putting such a high price tag on it, to make sure they're able to fill the orders. There's nothing stopping them to add additional restrictions, if production numbers are as low as 10K/day. A significant chunk of people on iUP won't even be able to upgrade in that case.

So if the 10k per day that's being bandied about is true - and I take it with an enormous pinch of salt - put your business head on.

Do you just throw them out to the masses and insist on upfront purchase only?

Or do you safeguard your most loyal customers? iUP customers who happen to be eligible for upgrade at launch day are, in the main, the Apple fanatics, the ones who will buy the latest and greatest regardless. The biggest reputation hit for Apple would be failing to guarantee they can pre-order and take delivery before they would pay the 12th payment on their current agreement. At 10k units per day, Apple would be in a position where existing iUP customers could run three months over the 11 months they intended to pay. It would also lead to them being ineligible for launch day upgrade next year. Not good for Apple.

Fortunately it's hardly worth discussing that possibility. Do we really believe Apple would embark on a global launch of a highly anticipated smartphone with less than 3 million units to ship? That would be sheer stupidity.

 

[ssrij]

Or do you safeguard your most loyal customers? iUP customers who happen to be eligible for upgrade at launch day are, in the main, the Apple fanatics, the ones who will buy the latest and greatest regardless.

It's very misleading to say iUP customers = most loyal customers, been hearing a lot in this forum, it's insane. So the rest of us who shell out hundreds of dollars upfront every year to upgrade are less loyal? The rest of us who upgrade every year and will be shelling out $200-300 extra this year to upgrade to X instead are less loyal? Are we not Apple Fanatics?

Just because you're in iUP doesn't make you Apple's most loyal customer. Millions of people upgrade every single year, by paying upfront. The only difference is we're not in the program because we can afford to pay upfront instead of in instalments (or maybe some of us upgrade via our carrier every year).

The iUP is not some sort of loyalty program, it's an instalment based yearly upgrade program, it's meant for your convenience so you can easily pay in instalments and upgrade every year, if you cannot afford to pay upfront every year or if you don't want to upgrade every year via your carrier. Saves you a little bit of headache but doesn't magically make you the most loyal Apple customer.

Yes, lots of people will be eligible to upgrade.... to an iPhone 8 and 8+, and in fact that's what most people will be going for, because of the high price of X and other reasons. Others who want to upgrade to X will be waiting to upgrade just like the rest of us who pay full amount upfront every year or have been saving up this year to buy the X.

And if productions numbers are extremely low, we might even see Apple change things a bit. Maybe they will launch an entirely new reservation system for the X specifically based on a first come first serve basis and maybe only if you pay upfront. Apple registered a new subdomain this year, called https://reserve-prime.apple.com/, maybe that's specifically meant to reserve iPhone X.

 

[craigio85]

It's very misleading to say iUP customers = most loyal customers, been hearing a lot in this forum, it's insane. So the rest of us who shell out hundreds of dollars upfront every year to upgrade are less loyal? The rest of us who upgrade every year and will be shelling out $200-300 extra this year to upgrade to X instead are less loyal? Are we not Apple Fanatics?

Just because you're in iUP doesn't make you Apple's most loyal customer. Millions of people upgrade every single year, by paying upfront. The only difference is we're not in the program because we can afford to pay upfront instead of in instalments (or maybe some of us upgrade via our carrier every year).

The iUP is not some sort of loyalty program, it's an instalment based yearly upgrade program, it's meant for your convenience so you can easily pay in instalments and upgrade every year, if you cannot afford to pay upfront every year or if you don't want to upgrade every year via your carrier. Saves you a little bit of headache but doesn't magically make you the most loyal Apple customer.

Yes, lots of people will be eligible to upgrade.... to an iPhone 8 and 8+, and in fact that's what most people will be going for, because of the high price of X and other reasons. Others who want to upgrade to X will be waiting to upgrade just like the rest of us who pay full amount upfront every year or have been saving up this year to buy the X.

And if productions numbers are extremely low, we might even see Apple change things a bit. Maybe they will launch an entirely new reservation system for the X specifically based on a first come first serve basis and maybe only if you pay upfront. Apple registered a new subdomain this year, called https://reserve-prime.apple.com/, maybe that's specifically meant to reserve iPhone X.

I'm not in iUP.

You can argue it any which way you like, but there's no changing that iUP customers, from Apple's perspective, are more lucrative. And when you're a business you need to take care of that.

 

[Blorzoga]

If the production numbers of X stays low (today's report says 10k/day), I highly doubt you will be able to get an iPhone X from a carrier, or even on the iPhone Upgrade Program.

Apple will try to control demand because supply will be so low. Price is one way to do it (we all know it's rumoured to start at $999), the other is to make everyone pay for the device upfront, which a lot of people won't be able to, and hence the demand will lower to match supply.

Since it's a special, anniversary, one-off model, I think you will only be able to buy it from Apple only, at least for sometime, and only if you pay the amount upfront.

You're dreaming. Of course the IPX will be available to those on the IUP.
[doublepost=1505174710][/doublepost]

The latest iPhone is iPhone 8 and 8+. X is just an anniversary model, a special edition, an one-off phone. Sure it's got some things that the 8 and 8+ doesn't, but I don't think it fits Apple's definition of "latest" as used when marketing the iUP.

There will be little stock of X. Allowing iUP members to upgrade will deplete stock much faster, as its easier to pay in instalments than upfront. Same with allowing carriers to offer upgrades to X. People who pay the whole amount upfront is much better in this case where the supply is extremely tight and I am sure Apple would love tens of thousands of people to pay $999/1099/1199 upfront than in instalments. They'll have all the money immediately than getting it in instalments and have a easier time fulfilling orders.

But let's see what happens tomorrow.

So, you think that when someone buys an iPhone through the IUP, Apple gets something less than the full upfront price? You would be incorrect. The IUP is a loan financed by a bank. The bank pays Apple for the phone plus AppleCare+. There's no incentive for Apple to prevent IUP participants from getting the latest phone. I have to laugh when I read that the iPhone X is a "one-off" anniversary phone. The Code Red iPhone is a one-off iPhone. The iPhone X is the flagship.