With consumers queueing around the block for the iPhone 6, Apple has predictably announced that sales of the device have been extremely encouraging. This seems like almost an inevitability in the current climate; Apple resoundingly cleans up time after time in surveys and assessment of the world’s top brands, and its products are simply hugely sought after at this point in time.
Ten million units
Thus, weekend sales of 10 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus units come as little surprise, even if this larger figure does represent record-breaking sales for the consumer electronics giant. The numbers hosted by the iPhone 6 were so encouraging that the Apple CEO Tim Cook was even able to release a triumphant statement, pointing out that sales had exceeded even the expectations of the company itself.
It’s possible, and perhaps probable, that had more iPhone 6 units been available that Apple could have sold more still. And this is despite the fact that the iPhone 6 has sold roughly 11 percent more stock than its predecessor, the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, which collectively managed to shift 9 million units over their first weekend in the public domain.
Meanwhile, Apple has only in fact released the new flagship device in a smattering of carefully selected territories. On September 19 the iPhone 6 went live in a raft of countries which included the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Puerto Rico, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. But most of the world is still awaiting the opportunity to get their hands on this hotly anticipated device, most notably China.
Chinese whispers about the iPhone 6
Already the clamor for the iPhone 6 in the world’s most populous nation is almost unbearable, as media reports surface of Chinese people going to great lengths to get hold of illegally imported iPhone 6. Given that the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c both launched in China concurrently with the global release, it is fair to conclude that this new iPhone 6 has a huge amount of potential in terms of sales.
Many early adopters of the iPhone 6 will naturally opt for the contracted model of the phone, simply because it often seems like a much better deal. However, some aficionados of the iPhone 6 prefer the flexibility and freedom which is offered by an ‘unlocked’ device; free from any contractual obligations and limitations.
The price of a contracted iPhone 6 has been very widely publicized. According to Apple’s official website, a 16GB iPhone 6 costs $199, the 64GB costs $299, and the 128GB is priced at $399 in the US market. When one sees these figures written down it is perhaps understandable why so many people opt for the contract-based versions of these mobile devices, given that the price for operating an iPhone 6 on a contractual basis appears so obviously affordable.
However, these prices do not tell the whole story. As ZDNet has publicized, purchasers of the iPhone 6 in fact often pay a fee which is in excess of the advertised price due to hidden extras not included in the barebones pricing. Such hidden costs can include the usage plans of the network and activation fees, and you can then add the monthly instalment fees for the actual phone unit on top of that.
Cost-effective unlocked iPhones
Given this fact, opting for an unlocked phone can often turn out to be more cost effective and even financially viable than choosing the apparently attractive contracted iPhone 6. The 16GB contract-free iPhone 6 currently retails for around $649. This seems a pretty good deal for an unlocked phone, and some of the larger iPhone 6 devices are also available at a reasonable price point.
For example, there is a mere $100 jump to the next gigabyte tier of the iPhone 6, with the 32GB model of the phone retailing unlocked at $749. This places the 32GB and unlocked model of the iPhone 6 in line with the iPhone 6 Plus, which starts at $749 for the contract-free model of the phablet. In accordance with the Apple policy for the smaller iPhone 6, the price of the unlocked iPhone 6 Plus devices also jump by increments of $100 depending on storage quotients.
When one takes into consideration the amount of charges which can be accrued via a contractual iPhone 6, the wisdom of opting for an unlocked smartphone begins to become more obvious. Assessing the price of the iPhone 6 with a variety of carriers, ZDNet notes that the contract-based pricing will be similar to that of an unlocked device. According to its investigations, one can ultimately expect to pay around $560 to $800 at AT&T, $470 to $830 for Verizon, $680 to $920 for Sprint, and $660 at T-Mobile. One can say quite easily that this is in the same ballpark as the unlocked version of the phone.
This is not a story limited to the United States. The pricing in the United Kingdom is similar to that of the US for unlocked phones, with the iPhone 6 starting at £539, jumping up by eighty further pounds for a 64GB model, with the 128GB model retailing at £699. The iPhone 6 Plus starts at £619, increasing to £699 for the 64GB model and £789 for the 128GB model.
iPhones as possessions
This pricing structure suggests that many consumers will consider buying an iPhone 6 in an unlocked capacity. Aside from the financial aspects to this decision, A study has been released recently which indicates that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are both more durable than models released in previous years, and for that matter leading Android smartphones.
This implies that shelling out for an unlocked device as a personal possession, and holding onto it for a significant period of time can make both practical and financial sense. It’s no wonder then that the notion of an unlocked iPhone 6 is becoming more popular in this generation.
