Apple removes two per customer limit on iPhone 5 as stock improves, goes on sale in China

Jake Smith | Dec 4 2012 - 12:45 pm PT

Apple updated its online store this afternoon to display the iPhone 5 as no longer limited to two per customer. The unlocked version of the iPhone 5 was first released last week, with the limit stated on the purchase page, and, as MacRumors pointed out, dropping the limit most likely means that Apple is continuing to catch up with stock of the handset as the holiday season kicks into full swing. As we reported yesterday morning, Apple updated its online store worldwide to show the iPhone is now available to ship within “2-4 days”— an improvement from the “1 week” notice that hit at the exact same time last Monday.

As for in-store availability, a prime place for holiday shoppers, analyst Gene Munster noted Nov. 21 that in-store stock for the iPhone 5 has improved. At the time, the iPhone 5 was available in 92 percent of Apple Stores for Sprint, 82 percent for AT&T, and 72 percent for Verizon. As of now, the iPhone 5 is readily available for those looking to buy it this holiday.

Besides stock purposes, Apple also limits the amount of some products customers can buy due to scalpers taking devices back to China to resell. The iPhone 5 is set to go on sale in China later this month, so that could be another reason the company removed the limit off. As for the iPad mini released in October, it is still limited to two per customer.

Source: Apple