Apple iPhone 5C orders 'not overwhelming': carrier source

Published September 18, 2013
The five colors of the new iPhone 5C are seen after Apple Inc's media event in Cupertino, California September 10, 2013. — Reuters Photo
The five colors of the new iPhone 5C are seen after Apple Inc's media event in Cupertino, California September 10, 2013. — Reuters Photo
The five colors of the new iPhone 5C and the new case for the phone are seen at Apple Inc's media event in Cupertino, California September 10, 2013. — Reuters Photo
The five colors of the new iPhone 5C and the new case for the phone are seen at Apple Inc's media event in Cupertino, California September 10, 2013. — Reuters Photo
The five colors of the new iPhone 5C are seen on screen at Apple Inc's media event in Cupertino, California September 10, 2013. — Reuters Photo
The five colors of the new iPhone 5C are seen on screen at Apple Inc's media event in Cupertino, California September 10, 2013. — Reuters Photo

Sept 17, 2013 - Pre-orders for Apple Inc's new plastic-backed, brightly colored iPhone 5C have not been "overwhelming," and supply of both that model as well as a more expensive phone has been disappointing, a source at a US wireless carrier told Reuters on Tuesday.

Apple unveiled two iPhone models - the 5C as well as a more expensive 5S - last week, with the eye-catching 5C marking a departure from Apple's focus on purely premium phones.

Apple began taking online orders on Friday for the iPhone 5C, which comes in blue, green, pink, yellow and white and starts in the United States at $99 with a contract. Both phones go on sale in several countries on September 20.

The level of inventory Apple has said it would provide for the 5S and 5C on launch day and in the week after launch is very disappointing, the source said, adding that supply of phones to all carriers appears to be limited.

Pre-orders are "not overwhelming" either, said the source, who refused to be identified because Apple has not disclosed the number of pre-orders for either of its two new smartphones.

The pricier "5S" begins at $199 with a contract and comes in three colors - gray, silver and gold. The phones will mainly be sold through four major US carriers - AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. Representatives from all four carriers declined to comment.

Apple could not be reached immediately for comment.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.