UK iPhone 5 thread

[justjax]

Can anyone share their experiences of ordering via the Reservations system for store pick up the next day?

It mentions they'll email you that evening if successful and with a collection time. Are most people ordering within 5-15 mins of reservations opening (i.e 9am) getting emails to collect next day?

Also, anyone know if collection slots are fixed half hour possibly staggered throughout the day?

 

[mattyo2012]

Can anyone share their experiences of ordering via the Reservations system for store pick up the next day?

It mentions they'll email you that evening if successful and with a collection time. Are most people ordering within 5-15 mins of reservations opening (i.e 9am) getting emails to collect next day?

Also, anyone know if collection slots are fixed half hour possibly staggered throughout the day?

Yesterday was my first day trying I tried three London stores for the 32gb black iphone 5. I tried Regent Street, Covent Garden and Stratford Westfield's.

I only got one reply back at half 8 at night confirming my reservation for Regent Street. By that time I was setting up my contract in the Covent Garden store after just walking in and saying I wanted to upgrade with no reservation.

Maybe I was extremely lucky, but I'm sure others have a similiar experience.

Obviously contract are easier to get. But still I think if you go relentlessly everyday and pick big stores. I'm sure it will pay off a day this week. I deliberately went for what I know to be stores with big allocation of stock if that's any help.

Also my collection window was 9am-8pm, so no specific time. But at least you'd be guaranteed the one you want.

 

[fat jez]

Is the white aluminium treated the same way the MacBook Pros's are? because I recently noticed on my macbook pro that I cherish has a little scratch on one of the corners and in some lights it shows up a very noticeable dark grey!

Yep, it shows up the same. I've nicked the back of my white phone and it shows up as a slightly darker colour. It's to do with how the light is reflected and illustrates that, while aluminium might be much lighter than steel, it is very much softer. I think we can all expect our phones to pick up scratches and scrapes very, very easily, regardless of colour. Only difference is the black phones will show up the silver of the underlying aluminium much more easily.

 

[jw123]

People who've ordered through Orange, most of you are saying you never received a text, has anyone actually received a text yet?

And did anyone use their order number to track on Orange's website? Did it ever change from "Order Being Readied For Dispatch" ?

 

[ukstuvy]

While in Singapore on Friday I walked past an apple reseller, and the Q was long. Obviously they were just as keen to get their phones.

When I went to the same mall on Saturday a sign showed out of stock, but as I walked in they re-stocked with about 18 phones in various colours & sizes. Price came in at around £572 for a 32gb, and £650 for a 64gb. They all went in 30 mins.

Still, a lot of retailers started selling the cases etc, so picked up for £15 inc of screen protector.

 

[needfx]

I'll be waiting for the 6s


not

---edit

damn you forum spy, I meant to click on another thread

 

[Tastydirt]

White ones from 3 seem to be sent a lot quicker. Colleague in my work ordered the white 16GB on Thursday, got a 2/10 delivery date and actually got it delivered on Saturday there. I've been told my black 64GB that I ordered last Wednesday will still be sent on its original delivery date of 1/10

I order my black 32GB on Monday 7AM and I'm still waiting for 1st October.

Did your friend get an update before his order was sent out early?

 

[justjax]

Yesterday was my first day trying I tried three London stores for the 32gb black iphone 5. I tried Regent Street, Covent Garden and Stratford Westfield's.

I only got one reply back at half 8 at night confirming my reservation for Regent Street. By that time I was setting up my contract in the Covent Garden store after just walking in and saying I wanted to upgrade with no reservation.

Maybe I was extremely lucky, but I'm sure others have a similiar experience.

Obviously contract are easier to get. But still I think if you go relentlessly everyday and pick big stores. I'm sure it will pay off a day this week. I deliberately went for what I know to be stores with big allocation of stock if that's any help.

Also my collection window was 9am-8pm, so no specific time. But at least you'd be guaranteed the one you want.

Hi Matty, thanks for the info. So the system allowed you to send three seperate requests through? Did you select contract or sim free on the reservations? I'm assuming its easier to get contract phones. I popped in the Regent's street on launch day at around 5pm just to see the phone and assumed they were sold out and they were of sim/contract free ones but not if I wanted one on contract. I'm suprised that after 8pm in the evening they still had stock that day give it to you just walking in off the street. I think I will try for Regent's street when I do it tomorrow. I'm wondering though whether if you enter your details in three times for seperate stores that each new request might null the previous request? Was Regent's street the last one you did the reserve for?

 

[Tom8]

Hi Matty, thanks for the info. So the system allowed you to send three seperate requests through? Did you select contract or sim free on the reservations? I'm assuming its easier to get contract phones. I popped in the Regent's street on launch day at around 5pm just to see the phone and assumed they were sold out and they were of sim/contract free ones but not if I wanted one on contract. I'm suprised that after 8pm in the evening they still had stock that day give it to you just walking in off the street. I think I will try for Regent's street when I do it tomorrow. I'm wondering though whether if you enter your details in three times for seperate stores that each new request might null the previous request? Was Regent's street the last one you did the reserve for?

You can't select multiple stores in one application as far as I'm aware, you just have to submit multiple applications. Contract phones are definitely easier to get at the minute, both the stores that I have rang have had stock of contract iPhones but not unlocked. I've tried reserving for the past two days now, today is the third, and so far I've had no luck. I'm hoping that sooner or later the stores that I'm trying to reserve at (Eldon Square or Metro Centre) will get a big enough delivery for me to be able to reserve.

 

[mattyo2012]

Hi Matty, thanks for the info. So the system allowed you to send three seperate requests through? Did you select contract or sim free on the reservations? I'm assuming its easier to get contract phones. I popped in the Regent's street on launch day at around 5pm just to see the phone and assumed they were sold out and they were of sim/contract free ones but not if I wanted one on contract. I'm suprised that after 8pm in the evening they still had stock that day give it to you just walking in off the street. I think I will try for Regent's street when I do it tomorrow. I'm wondering though whether if you enter your details in three times for seperate stores that each new request might null the previous request? Was Regent's street the last one you did the reserve for?

Not a problem,

I selected contract. It is easier to get contracts. Covent Garden had a sign up saying they were sold out for the day. After trying for ages I spoke to a blue shirt near the back of the store towardws the lifts (neat the tills). I was expecting a no, then he said come with me, took me upstairs and had to wait on this one guy who was doing all the new contracts and upgrades. I was shocked myself, but pleasantly surprised . I also got what I believe to be one of the most popular models the 32gb black, which I have not been able to find in any tmobile shop in London.

I entered the details for three different stores. You don't get to specify a time. So realistically they will just if they can allocate you to one that they know has your model. I think Regent Street may have been first or second. I had heard you could apply for multiple stores, end of the day you are really just increasing your chances, and it worked. It didn't null and void mine, so it wouldn't do it for yours. Mine were all to the same email address, so I guess they probably see you've done a few and just give you one. I requested them all within minutes of each other.

Hope that helps, any other questions let me know.

 

[dnw123]

I know, it's like they don't want my money.

They do. They just want your money plus the networks kickback...

There is no difference between the phones, it's a purely commercial decision. I'm in the same boat - trying to get one SIM free.

 

[fat jez]

They do. They just want your money plus the networks kickback...

There is no difference between the phones, it's a purely commercial decision. I'm in the same boat - trying to get one SIM free.

Correct, they don't become SIM locked until the member of staff scans the phone bar code and the network bar code. Apple's database then gets updated to say the phone is SIM locked to that network.

 

[Timster83]

They do. They just want your money plus the networks kickback...

There is no difference between the phones, it's a purely commercial decision. I'm in the same boat - trying to get one SIM free.

And this is what happens when you recruit the former boss of Dixons to run your retail operation.

Considering that Apple's most loyal customers are prepared to shell out £500+ of their hard-earned cash to buy a SIM Free device, it's extremely annoying that they're artificially holding back supply to make a few extra bucks out of the networks.

 

[Ifti]

Popped into an Apple store yesterday - they only had contract phones whereas Im after a Sim free.

I already had one pre-ordered so wasnt too fussed.

When ordering my estimated delivery date was 1st Oct.
Just checked online and its been delivered this morning!!!!

Hence for all those waiting the handsets seem to be coming sooner then the estimated dates

 

[justjax]

Considering that Apple's most loyal customers are prepared to shell out £500+ of their hard-earned cash to buy a SIM Free device, it's extremely annoying that they're artificially holding back supply to make a few extra bucks out of the networks.

ITA agree. When I was told at Regent's St on launch day they were out of Sim Free but had contract phone stock I was dumbfounded and somewhat p*ssed off. As you state its clearly to favour the kick back from the networks, but pretty poor customer services when someone prepared to shell out £700 (as I want the 64Gb) will be turned away by someone who will sign up for a contract and possibly walk out with a phone without paying a penny. I'm planning to reserve mine tomorrow morning and I just hope I get the email for collection the next day.

 

[pashazade]

Popped into an Apple store yesterday - they only had contract phones whereas Im after a Sim free.

I already had one pre-ordered so wasnt too fussed.

When ordering my estimated delivery date was 1st Oct.
Just checked online and its been delivered this morning!!!!

Hence for all those waiting the handsets seem to be coming sooner then the estimated dates

It seems that Apple were taken by surprise by the amount of online orders and had the online vs store mix wrong. To resolve this they seem to be re-allocation store stock to the online store - hence orders arriving early and limited sim-free devices in store.

 

[justjax]

I entered the details for three different stores. You don't get to specify a time. So realistically they will just if they can allocate you to one that they know has your model. I think Regent Street may have been first or second. I had heard you could apply for multiple stores, end of the day you are really just increasing your chances, and it worked. It didn't null and void mine, so it wouldn't do it for yours. Mine were all to the same email address, so I guess they probably see you've done a few and just give you one. I requested them all within minutes of each other.

Hope that helps, any other questions let me know.

Cool, I'll do the same tomorrow. Going to be on it at 9am and then hope for the best!

BTW, anyone know if demand for the Black 64GB is really high? I'd asumme its mainly the 16Gb and 32Gb in black?

 

[mattyo2012]

Cool, I'll do the same tomorrow. Going to be on it at 9am and then hope for the best!

BTW, anyone know if demand for the Black 64GB is really high? I'd asumme its mainly the 16Gb and 32Gb in black?

Yeah definitely, early bird catches the phone!

I can't comment specifically, but 64gb variants generally are easier to get. Black a lot harder than white. It's widely known the 64gb white is the easiest to get. At the Apple store however they have all variants from what I remember yesterday.

 

[-MRB]

So what's the general consensus here, are the majority buying their phones outright & using with their tariff of choice?

I find the 24 month contracts far too long. I dislike having an 18 month at the minute, let alone 24

I was thinking of buying the phone & getting an O2 simplicity contract of some sort.

I guess what I'm trying to say is what's the cheapest overall option?

 

[Mintster]

ITA agree. When I was told at Regent's St on launch day they were out of Sim Free but had contract phone stock I was dumbfounded and somewhat p*ssed off. As you state its clearly to favour the kick back from the networks, but pretty poor customer services when someone prepared to shell out £700 (as I want the 64Gb) will be turned away by someone who will sign up for a contract and possibly walk out with a phone without paying a penny. I'm planning to reserve mine tomorrow morning and I just hope I get the email for collection the next day.

I thought exactly the same thing when I went to the Exeter store ready to buy on Sunday - the phrase 'its like a lottery and if you are lucky enough to be e-mailed you can come back tomorrow to buy'!

I was e-mailed and did still buy but what a complete waste of time as the phones were very obviously in stock (I was in there after lunch, approx 14:00). I even exchanged the phone later in the day as the first one had a couple of scratches so there was stock level of more than 1!

 

[Timster83]

So what's the general consensus here, are the majority buying their phones outright & using with their tariff of choice?

I find the 24 month contracts far too long. I dislike having an 18 month at the minute, let alone 24

I was thinking of buying the phone & getting an O2 simplicity contract of some sort.

I guess what I'm trying to say is what's the cheapest overall option?

Apparently it is cheaper to buy on contract (depending on your requirements and choice of network, of course) but a lot of people are definitely turning their back on two year contracts - particularly as many of the posters on this thread will be replacing their iPhone 5 in 12 months' time anyway!

 

[Mojojo]

For anyone having 'rattle', FWIW, happens on my iPhone 4.

Apparently it's something to do with the floating auto-focus thing.

Just back from the local Apple Store. My phone had a loose battery however they did not have the means to repair instore so I now have a new iPhone 5.

 

[amsical]

Hi, sorry for all those who haven't got their phones yet and sorry for posting this but I haven't found a UK answer yet, it's all american.

What's the best screen protector to get and where can I order it from?? I'm really loving the retina display so I don't want to compromise it but I really need a screen protector. Front and back protector ideally as I'm just wanting minimal casing (probably just a bumper).

Thanks in advance!!

 

[I8P'CS]

So what's the general consensus here, are the majority buying their phones outright & using with their tariff of choice?

I find the 24 month contracts far too long. I dislike having an 18 month at the minute, let alone 24

I was thinking of buying the phone & getting an O2 simplicity contract of some sort.

I guess what I'm trying to say is what's the cheapest overall option?

You're in the same predicament I was in, Hated 18 months and 24 months which is 2 years (as some like to hide that fact) is way too long considering you pay for the phone over that time and over inflated tariffs compared to sim only. I went the Apple route.

Many will get into debt just to have latest iPhone, I bought mine and got a great sim only deal which proves to me that a contract is a rip off.

For some it's the only way but me personally I can not be mugged.

Ps I'll probably keep this for 2 years, I never bought it to change yearly but to avoid the extortionate prices the UK companies are asking for considering the tariffs cost peanuts.

 

[-MRB]

You're in the same predicament I was in, Hated 18 months and 24 months which is 2 years (as some like to hide that fact) is way too long considering you pay for the phone over that time and over inflated tariffs compared to sim only. I went the Apple route.

Many will get into debt just to have latest iPhone, I bought mine and got a great sim only deal which proves to me that a contract is a rip off.

For some it's the only way but me personally I can not be mugged. Ps I'll probably keep this for 2 years, I never bought it to change yearly but to avoid the extortionate prices the UK companies are asking for considering they cost peanuts.

I'm guessing you've seen the 'offer' from O2? 6 months early upgrade for a meagre £63 per month for 24 months. That's over £1500

All I need in terms of a tariff is a lot of texts & a GB of data. Who's best to go with, O2?