Will There Be Long Lines This Time?

[toxictrix]

Here, the 3GS had no line however the iPhone 4 line was crazy. I walked up later that day and picked up the 3GS. Probably be like that one I would assume.

 

[K4LK]

Although it was years ago, a (possibly) good metric to use would be the lines for the 3GS launch.

For my 3GS, I reserved a white 32GB for pickup on launch day. Arrived 75 minutes before the International Plaza Tampa store 7AM opening and was about 30th in line. It was pretty crazy by the time the store opened. I exited with my iPhone about 7:30 AM.

 

[naths]

Ummmm>>>>>no!!!

 

[djransom]

I couldn't and wouldn't do the lines I would simply preorder, but I think there will be lines. The lines won't be similar to the iPhone 4 lines.

 

[tigress666]

You will have no problem getting a 4S the first week. Apple has totally angered a huge amount of 4 users. Most of the current 4 users are yawning and will be sleeping in on the release date.

The practical logical, aside from the fanboy disappointment, problem here is that the contract renewal will ruin the upgrade path to the 5 if a 4 users gets the 4S right away.

I don't think Apple has ever aimed their new iphones at the owners of the last generation of iphones, they are more aimed at the owners of the second to last and older iphones. What matters more is what 3GS owners think (and people new to iPhone) than what iPhone 4 owners think.

Apple knows most people are on a 2 year contract so aren't going to consider the next year's phone anyways.

 

[Eager Beaver]

I would expect much shorter lines than in previous launches due to this merely being a "spec bump". There will stil be lines, but much shorter.

and ..................................... now Sprint has the iphone, so 1/3 of iphone users will now be over there.

 

[odvan]

There have been long lines for every iPhone model released each year. This year will be no different.

I bet this marketing genius will use the same trick like in spring with 5 phones for each store, provoking panic and night lines. Then suddenly shortage will disappear in couple of weeks.

 

[born4sky]

Hopefully this year apple servers wont go down as they did last year.. with all preorders.

There will be plenty lines as well... just remeber the 3GS launch...

 

[Zimmy68]

Waiting for the inevitable front page story of that dork that always camps out first.

 

[master-ceo]

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You will have no problem getting a 4S the first week. Apple has totally angered a huge amount of 4 users. Most of the current 4 users are yawning and will be sleeping in on the release date.

The practical logical, aside from the fanboy disappointment, problem here is that the contract renewal will ruin the upgrade path to the 5 if a 4 users gets the 4S right away.

Not angered, but yawning and enjoying the big screen on my iPad 1 & 2

 

[terraphantm]

That is what I was thinking. However, the 3gs had enormous lines. It will be interesting to see what happens. So far, every iphone model has been compelling enough for most current iphone users to want to upgrade. From the people in my circles (for whatever that is worth), the sentiment seems to be different this time around. No one cares to upgrade this time. As it gets closer to launch time, a lot of them may change their minds. We'll see.

3GS was a more substantial update IMO. The 3G was already feeling terribly slow by that point, so the speed difference was easily observable. Also a lot of people were switching to the iPhone for the first time with the 3GS; I personally always held off because I didn't want a phone without MMS. By the time the 3GS came out that was a possibility (well it was delayed, but I knew it was coming at least).

Also, Apple doubled the storage without increasing the price with the 3GS

 

[chukronos]

No such thing a 4G.
You're one of those statistics that thinks iPhone 4 has 4G capability aren't you.

Nice try. You should work harder at it and then come back with something more poignant. Your comment, while infantine and inane, might make more sense with a question mark.

4th generation. I should have left out the, "g". I apologize that it was too difficult for you to understand or discard. Thank you, for your comments to the thread.

 

[rockyroad55]

I know I'm camping.

 

[Zimmy68]

Initially the lines will be as big as ever, but afterwards it will mellow out faster than with the 4.

This.


There will be big demand the first couple of days (whether it is manufactured or real, you can decide).

But I see no problem picking up a device in the next week or so at a store.

Why?

The upgrade isn't worth signing a new 2 year deal for a lot of users.
The next phone is either 6 or 12 months away and most of the iPhone 4 users will be out of contract.
The new SKUs and memory bump will see people passing on the higher priced phones which will leave more stock for those who just want it at any price.

So yes, there will be the league of dorks lining up at the Apple store on release day but when all is said and done, it will be nowhere near the demand as the original 4.