Cupertino is once again shifting supply ratios of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus due to higher-than-expected demand for the larger handset, according to a new report.
The source of the increased demand this time? China, where the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus recently went on sale following a massive 20 million reported preorders.
Customers in China can now buy the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 directly from telecom operators, retail channels and websites, but still must wait should they want the larger iPhone 6 Plus (as is the case in many other countries in the world).
Citing supply chain sources, a Digitimes report says Apple might be forced to shift more production capacity to iPhone 6 Plus, with a 55:45 ratio of iPhone 6 to iPhone 6 Plus, from the 65:35 split planned originally.
While Tim Cook said during yesterday’s Apple earning call that “it’s very difficult to gauge demand without first finding the balance,” you’ve got to think the company should have realized a larger-screen “phablet” iPhone was going to be met with high demand.
Still, lesson learned.
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
28 responses to “Apple may have significantly underestimated the popularity of iPhone 6 Plus”
I’m wondering how many are switching from Android as opposed to upgrades.
Huge number, especially in iPad space. Some as high as 40% new customers.
Well, like the other thing size matters.
come on… last year, each store got like 1 gold iphone or none. and this year each store got like 2 6Plus. who is doing this? I don’t know much, but i do know I would have atlas half the 6 and half 6pluse
It depends on which market you’re in but pretty much all stores got limited quantity of 6 plus at launch.
And this is okay? No it’s NOT okay.
Who said it was? I personally stated that yes, they got limited quantities. Not sure what you’re asking or why?
This isn’t surprising news. Apple products have a superior build quality to all other manufacturers so their popularity is always going to be high. It is one of the reasons why iPhones and iPads hold their value on resale sites like http://www.sellmycellphones.com.
The reason they hold their value is because they serve as a status symbol. Most of my friends only have an iphone so they can say ” i have an iphone”. I have both iphone and android so i can continue to test them out and continue my hobby/side job. I like trying out new technology. Reason why i use a g3 as my daily driver,iphone 6 as a test phone, android tablet for me and ipad for wife and mac computer for whole family, can’t stand windows!
I think you over estimate the “status” users. I don’t know any iPhone owners that have one for purely for status. Most of my friends are clueless with tech, and just own 4S’s or 5’s cause they were cheap.
That’s not a reason for anything to hold its value because status is fleeting, and not the same thing as value, which has an element of status, but with greater weight on build quality, durability and utility.
Still waiting on my 128 GB 6 Plus, but I ordered it on the Monday after it was released. I am being told Nov 10th right now!!
Me, too. I ordered directly from AT&T. Expected delivery is now something like 8 to 9 years, I think.
On the launch day AT&T told me mid November delivery. So I just ordered from Apple, btw which eas after standing in line for 7 hours outside Apple Store on the launch day, and got it on 16th. I was very skeptical on the plus but boy am I glad I ordered 6 Plus. It is friggin awesome and so beautiful! It took me 15 minutes to get used to it and now I can never go back. My iPhone 5 and 5S feels like a mini phone made for kids. And iPhone 6 feels like a 5. Everyone at my work who already got 6 because they thought 6 Plus is too big are now regretting their choice. And the people who hadn’t ordered yet are going to order 6 plus. It is definitely the most beautiful phone on the market right now.
Geez that blows. I didn’t realize anyone was still waiting on shipping delays?? I ordered my 128GB 6Plus on launch day and received it in the mail the day it launched.
The 20 million preorder figure for China is not confirmed by any reliable source, so it’s pointless to repeat that in other articles.
I have my 6 plus and it’s wonderful. It’s not too large and fits in my pocket fine. Then again, I don’t wear skinny jeans.
Yea, I’m still deciding if i’m trading in my 6 for the 6 plus. I’m used the big phones coming from a Note. Although I really like the form factor of the g3.
Definitely a more popular device in China but I just read the iPhone 6 outsells/preferred 6 to 1 over the 6 plus.
I’m still waiting for my 6+ that was ordered at a Verizon store on Sep, 17…meanwhile, people around the world gleefully play with their new iPhones. My 4S is ready to be taken out back ole yeller style, so please get your act together Apple and ship me my damn phone. I can drown my sorrows in cranberry juice and Home Run pies for so long…then i’m gonna need those fitness apps…and an iWatch…whenever THAT is coming out…life is tough.
-Timmy
I’ve only seen 2-3 in the wild here in NYC – and I’ve seen those only in the past week or so. Maybe they will start creeping out here a bit quicker.
I wish I could have justified getting one – the screen is absolutely gorgeous, but it is just too big for my hands.
I got the 6+, felt it was too big the first week and I wanted to exchange it to the 6. Now it feels just perfect. Great for reading and watching videos.
That’s good to know! Just got my plus, starting to wish I got the 6.. maybe I’ll feel different in a week
Still waiting on my 6 Plus, pre-ordered a week before the release date here in Ireland!
I’m just thinking to make the switch from iOS to Android, but still waiting for HTC One M9 to come up next year, in March, so for the moment still sticking with my 4S :)
Hate to say it, but there’s no “may have about it.” They screwed up BIG time. I’m waiting a month for a phone ordered in SEPTEMBER. WTF ever.
It is abhorrent that apple is expecting people to wait a month plus for a phone they consider to be available. They’re most valuable company in the world sitting on piles and piles of cash, and oops, we underestimated. REALLY disappointed. (Lifelong (since 90) Mac user, not a shill for Samsung)
AH AH AH