The highly anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will hit the shelves tomorrow morning, and some people may have already set up camp in front of the Apple Store in the hope of being among the first to grab the latest handsets. But don’t bet on it, because Apple says there will be limited supply for walk-in customers without a reservation.
This year’s iPhone 7 launch somehow mirrors that of the Apple Watch: if you don’t reserve your iPhone 7 in the online store, chances are you won’t be able to buy one on launch day by walking into the store.
In a statement sent to TechCrunch, Apple indicates that jet black iPhones and all iPhone 7 Plus models in all colours have sold out completely in the initial online ordering period. This means you won’t be able to get one, as there will be no inventory.
Apparently, the same goes for carrier inventory, as well. As Telus support informed one of our readers, “no carrier in North America has the iPhone 7 Plus for launch day, unfortunately.”
What’s left is go to the online store, order your iPhone 7 in jet black or your preferred colour, and wait, just as you waited for your Apple Watch to arrive, because Apple appears to be taking orders mostly online. Back then, Apple said it’s Apple Watch orders are set to be taken online, which brings a totally new ordering experience, because it is a new product category and the initial supply is limited.
The iPhone 7 is not a new product category, so the latter seems to apply in this case.
Apple’s statement:
We couldn’t be happier with the initial response to iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and we are looking forward to beginning sales through our retail stores and partners around the world.
Beginning Friday, limited quantities of iPhone 7 in silver, gold, rose gold, and black will be available for walk-in customers at Apple retail stores. During the online pre-order period, initial quantities of iPhone 7 Plus in all finishes and iPhone 7 in jet black sold out and will not be available for walk-in customers. Availability at partner locations for all finishes may vary and we recommend checking directly with them.
Customers can continue to order all models in all colors on apple.com. We sincerely appreciate our customers’ patience as we work hard to get the new iPhone into the hands of everyone who wants one as quickly as possible.
