Within 24 hours, the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C will be available in stores. Not surprisingly, there is an expanding line of people waiting at the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) flagship store on Fifth Avenue. Analysts are predicting that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) might sell eight million new phones on launch weekend.
Apple fans waiting for new iPhones
Interestingly enough, lines began forming outside the store in early September before the new phones were even unveiled. It’s not unusual for fans to camp outside the stores when waiting for the iPhone.
Ming-Chi Kuo sent a note to investors predicting that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would sell six to eight million iPhones during the first weekend alone. Gene Munster for Piper Jaffray predicts five to six million. Kuo thinks that Apple won’t reveal pre-sale numbers for the iPhone 5C until after launch weekend is over, when they can combine the sales of both iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C like they did with iPad 4 and iPad Mini last year.
Thanks to supply constraints, the iPhone 5S may make up for 35 percent to 45 percent of sales. The iPhone 5C could take up 55 percent to 65 percent of sales.
iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C to go on sale
Even though investors are not pleased with the price of the cheaper iPhone, reviews for the phone are exuberant and survey results show interest remains high. Both models will go on sale at 8:00 am local time on Friday in the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore, and Puerto Rico. The online store for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will start selling phones at 12:01 am Pacific Standard Time.
With the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S, this could be a big year for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Fans now have a choice of two smartphones. This should give the company a leg up in competition against the likes of Samsung and other Android-based smartphones.
More at AppleInsider.
