US And UK Operators Complain Of iPhone 5S Shortage – Reports

Operators in the UK and US are reportedly frustrated at short supplies of the iPhone 5S and are concerned customers will blame the delays on the networks, not Apple.

Today marks the first day the new flagship iPhone 5S and the new, cheaper iPhone 5C are on sale in a number of countries in the world, but just hours after launch, the iPhone 5S was listed as sold out on Apple’s website.

The UK operators contacted by the BBC did not wish to be identified because they are worried Apple would hold it against them when stocks eventually become available, although there is no indication as to when this might be.

iPhone 5S supply

Apple’s official website says customers must wait another seven to ten days to get their hands on the iPhone 5S.

Some suggest production of the new 64-bit A7 processor and Touch ID fingerprint sensor has caused the delays, although one of the unnamed operators has another theory. It believes Apple is deliberately trying to push the cheaper iPhone 5C, of which supplies are much more plentiful.

Adding strength to this theory is that Apple forbade operators from offering pre-orders on the iPhone 5S, while the iPhone 5C was available to order from 13 September.

Supply problems have also been mentioned in Australia, China, Hong King and Singapore, while US operators have also been reporting “extremely disappointing” shipments. Interestingly, they note greater demand for the iPhone 5C than the 5S.

This will no doubt please Apple, which has released two models of the iPhone for the first time as it seeks to expand its smartphone market share in the face of fierce competition from Android rivals at lower price points.

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