Following last week's launch of the iPhone 4S in the first batch of seven countries, Apple is set to debut the new device in 22 more countries next Friday, October 28th. Apple's online stores in many of those new countries began taking pre-orders for the iPhone 4S today, giving customers in the new markets the chance to join the queue for delivery. The new launch countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Apple does not operate online stores in all of those markets, however, and thus the new pre-orders for unlocked iPhone 4S models through Apple are only available in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Customers in other countries and those looking to purchase subsidized units on contract may be able to arrange for pre-orders through their local iPhone carrier partners.
Rather than promising October 28th delivery for iPhone 4S pre-orders in the new batch of countries, Apple is currently citing shipping estimates of 1-2 weeks. It is unknown if Apple is planning to meet the original October 28th date or if availability will slip slightly in the face of strong demand in markets where the device has already launched. Apple announced opening weekend sales of four million units for the iPhone 4S, more than double that of the iPhone 4 last year.
Top Rated Comments
People often forget that while Apple is an amazingly innovative company it's also, thanks to Tim Cook, a ferociously efficient one. They manage supply chains and distribution with exceptional prowess. Hence the amazing profits they're able to achieve.
For all those about to get their first iPhone, how I envy you! As amazing as each subsequent iPhone has been I will never have the same feeling I had when I bought my 3GS. If it's your first smartphone then even better! I love smartphones. They are, without doubt, the most exciting area of technology right now.
I think this is a really good way of managing the rollout of new hardware. Customer expectations are kept reasonable and purchasers can get special attention or purchase information if they require it.
I bet Apple will reach supply/demand balance for the 4S pretty quickly, though. They've had a lot of practice at building and shipping this form factor already and the A5 fabs have been churning out the chip for the iPad 2 for quite some time.
The whole thing went from processing to shipped on the same day so I guess its possible
Who knows why we have been left out this time round, never has made sense considering that NZ falls under Apple Aus and we are run by them but Apple Inc does strange things.