So the new iPhone 7 isn’t worth buying, it’s not much of an improvement on the 6S? Facts appear to prove otherwise. The Plus models and the jet-black version of the 7 were sold out within hours of the web launch and no Apple Store anywhere in the world will have these models available for purchase tomorrow morning when the patient queuers are admitted. I sensed this would be the case when I eventually loaded the reservation site last Friday morning. I was pretty quick off the mark, as usual, and bagged a jet black 128GB 7 Plus within seconds. Due on September 16? No such luck, as I discovered. Within the first few minutes the despatch date had slipped another month, to October 18 at the earliest. I could have to wait until October 31.
I immediately ordered the black version of the same phone. This time I found it would arrive between October 4 and 10—still a far cry from tomorrow’s launch date. And, bear in mind, this all happened within the first ten minutes of the store coming online. Such as been the demand there there are absolutely no phones, other than non-jet-black basic iPhone 7s available tomorrow.
Out of stock
Carriers throughout the world are reporting demand for the new iPhone up to four times as great as for the iPhone 6 two years ago. Despite the perceived lack of new features (largely because of the same basic shape and design) this is likely to be a blockbuster of a launch, the most successful iPhone ever.
I’ve argued strongly that there is a great deal of pent-up demand for the 7 because the iPhone 6 was just so good that a whole swathe of customers passed on the 6S. Previously, the faithful had upgraded every year. This continued satisfaction with the 6, particularly the 6 Plus, was fuelled by the impressive battery life. For the first time since the first iPhone launched nine years ago, the Plus model could manage a whole two years of heavy use without showing significant battery wear.
As usual, there has been a great deal of negative comment surrounding an iPhone launch. There is always some indicator which points resolutely to disaster. This time, again, the naysayers are being proved wrong.
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Mike, whilst I realise that I have been a bit scathing about the latest Apple bomb, I am in full agreement with your contention regarding people’s sense of urgency regarding the latest and greatest… That the phones are getting better, so they are lasting an extra year.
I agree with that to the extent that I haven’t bothered with 5s, 6, 6s or 7… yet…
I am a bit of a coward, I do need a new phone, the batteries are shot on my 5 and whilst I am going to take a closer look at the Geordie Leica, I will likely end up with a 7… Better the devil you know etc… I am happy to wait a few months though.
Mind you, ‘dumb’ phones are making a comeback…
Zanco can be had for £20!
Stephen