iPhone 4 May Already Be Sold Out in China

[Michael Essany]

It now appears that it took less than one full weekend of availability for the iPhone 4 to be all but officially sold out in China.

As reported yesterday on MMi by Paul, the iPhone 4 went on sale for the first time in China this weekend with massive crowds gathering outside Apple Stores in Beijing and Shanghai. As the article noted, the only authorized carrier in the country, China Unicom, had received 200,000 pre-orders before sales even began.

On Sunday, China Unicom admitted trouble meeting demand, but sidestepped saying what appears to now be a fact in China - the iPhone 4 is sold out. And shipments of product are being absorbed too fast for swelling consumer demand to be met. Although this reality surprises few, it is once again difficult to believe that Apple would proceed with a massive product roll out in the world's largest mobile community without adequate supply.

"More iPhones will be available soon and customers should check back with their local store or online for updates on availability," Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu told MarketWatch earlier today. The statement followed news that China Unicom sold 60,000 iPhones on the first day of availability in addition to the aforementioned 200,000 preorders.

Market Watch

[madczech]

expected that

[M4tt Dam0n]

"may" have sold out? You're kidding right? It's the most populated country in the world of course it's gonna be sold out lol.

[corkey20000]

Back to smuggling our USA supply

[awesomeSlayer]

That's very expected especially with a very high population.

[Be Expressive]

Saw this coming

[whereswaldo]

Well it should take them long to get more. Since they dont have to import them


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[YoungDKP]

So China has a population of what? 1 Billion+ and Apple sends over 260,000 iPhones? Hmmmmm weren't something like 2million+ plus sold in the US the first day?

[stellan0r]

they should make a factory sale ;-)

[zozodouce]

no suprise lol

[romeo_herman]

Is there iPhone4 with wi-fi ???

[i.Annie]

Is there iPhone4 with wi-fi ???

:/ yes they all have wifi

[kuhndsn]

So what... From a biz standpoint it's better to cut supplies short than to over flood. Most tech companies do it...
Wii, Sony, ect.... Keeps the demand high and want more. People generally want something more that they can't get. Weird but fact. Plus a population of a Billion is a little hard to feed and somewhat risky in their market. I have seen iPhone look a likes sold over there for yrs. Hell, if you want a Merc but not the payment take a picture with you and whala some one will make you one. :-). Pretty crafty.

[iLoveWindows&iPhone]

Ya no surprise here on any account.

1. Of course apple would not be able to meet demand.
2. In not meeting demand, resulting in huge lines, it further increases the allure of the device, and gives Apple free press with news outlets all over the world reporting on the massive lines, and massive popularity of the iPhone 4.
3. Smart business move!

[niqolas619]

Didn't the iPhone sell out pretty much right away in the US on release day? So the same thing happens somewhere else and it's supposed to be a surprise?

[unison999]

200,000 in a nation of billions.
Anyone else think Apple hold back amount of availability just to be able to say they are sold out? Artificially creating demands?

[brbortscheller]

Hmmmmm 2,000,000 people in China. 260,000 iPhones... Somehow, despite the geniuses that work at Apple, they are pretty f***ing stupid.

[TheTXKid]

am I the only one to notice that is NOT an iPhone 4 in the pic???

[whereswaldo]

am I the only one to notice that is NOT an iPhone 4 in the pic???

I noticed, that's just the image the staff writers have been posting in any article involving the iPhone and china for the past year

[unison999]

Hmmmmm 2,000,000 people in China. 260,000 iPhones... Somehow, despite the geniuses that work at Apple, they are pretty f***ing stupid.

You are missing a lot of zeros on China population.