Both models of Apple AAPL +0.43%’s iPhone 6 had their worldwide pre-order window open at midnight Thursday night Pacific time. The company is allowing pre-orders in 10 countries including the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK. What is noticeable this year vs. last year with the 5c & 5s is that China is not included in the initial wave. I would chalk up China not being included because of the anticipated strong demand in that country for larger screen size vs. other concerns or problems.
Overall a few models had their lead-times lengthen in the first hour but more importantly the initial lead-times for Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus’ are longer than the 6’s. What we don’t know yet is this due to limited supply or higher demand than planned or able to satisfy.
It doesn’t seem like Apple can manage its websites very well
After the debacle of Apple’s webcast of the iPhone 6s, Apple Watch and Apple Pay you would think that the company would put enough resources in place to handle that traffic starting Friday morning at 12 am.
As of 12:15 am, then 12:30 am then 12:45 am Apple’s website was not taking orders.
Around 12:50 am I was able to get to the order page on Apple’s site but after working on configuring an iPhone it went back to the ‘We’ll be back’ screen. Trying to do it via their app on my iPad wasn’t getting any better results.
About 1:10 am I was able to get to the US pre-order configurator but then it went away. As of 1:30 am it was still not working (at least for me).
Apple’s UK website working
At around 1:10 am I was able to get the UK website working. Most of the lead-times for the iPhone 6 were 7-10 business days except for the Space Gray and Gold 16GB models at September 19.
For the iPhone 6 Plus most of the lead-times were 3-4 weeks with the Space Gray and Silver 16GB models at 7-10 business days.
Verizon’s website was up and running by 12:05 am and was taking orders. The iPhone 6 models from 12:05 am to 1:00 am was available in all three colors and memory configurations to be delivered by Sept. 19, the first day of availability.
For the 6 Plus Verizon’s lead-times lengthened within 15 minutes. At 12:05 am 7 of the 9 configurations had a September 19 delivery date. The two models that started with an October 14 delivery date were the Space Gray and Gold models 16GB models.
At 12:15 am the Space Gray 64GB and 128GB models went from September 19 to October 7, 2 ½ weeks later. Then at 12:30 am the Gold 64GB and 128GB versions slipped to October 7. At 1:15 am the Silver 64GB and 128GB models had also moved to October 7.
AT&T’s website was acting very sluggish. It has the iPhone 6 with a September 19 delivery date while the 6 Plus was at 14-21 business days to ship it.
As of 1 am Sprint’s website was saying ‘We’ll be back soon’.
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